Plant – Page 5 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Devil’s Beggarticks – 8/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Devil’s Beggarticks Scientific Name: Bidens Frondosa Comments: A summer annual that may reach as much as 3 1/2 feet in height. Devils beggarticks has prickly fruit that facilitate seed dispersal by sticking to the fur and clothing of any animal or human that brushes by this weed when mature. […]

Cardinal Flower – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Morse St. Common Name: Cardinal Flower Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis Comments: Cardinal flowers are typically found near water. These were growing in a dry streambed. Since most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, cardinal flowers depend on hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar, for pollination. Its common name alludes to the […]

Heller’s Rosette Grass – 8/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:25 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Heller’s Rosette Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium oligosanthes Comments: I identified this peculiar clump of grass using a cool app called Seek. It sprang up in a cleared and mulched area where there was no competition from other grass. More Information: Friends of the Wildflower Garden

American Burnweed – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: American burnweed (a.k.a. fireweed) Scientific Name: Erechtites hieraciifolius Comments: Burnweed is a native annual in the daisy family, Asteraceae. American Burnweed is an underrated and unappreciated wild edible. Although Burnweed has no history as a food source here in America, everywhere else in the world where it grows it is eaten. […]

Spotted Wintergreen – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:55 p.m. Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Spotted Wintergreen Scientific Name: Chimaphila maculata Comments: Spotted wintergreen is a highly recognizable understory species having variegated leaves with pale green veins. It is endangered in Maine. More Information: Go Botany

Halberd-leaved Tearthumb – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Halberd-leaved Tearthumb Scientific Name: Persicaria arifolia Comments: Halberd-leaved tearthumb has distinctly arrow-shaped leaves with outward-pointing projections at the base. The stem is covered with small downward-curving barbs that gives this small annual wetland vine its common name. A halberd is a medieval battleaxe. More Information: Go Botany

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain – 8/13/20

Observer: Rita Corey Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid Scientific Name: Goodyera pubescens Comments: Please don’t dig up wildflowers. More Information: Virginia Native Plant Society

Summer Grape – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:15 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Summer Grape Scientific Name: Vitis aestivalis Comments: Vitis aestivalis, the summer grape, or pigeon grape, is a species of grape native to eastern North America from southern Ontario east to Maine, west to Oklahoma, and south to Florida and Texas. It is a vigorous vine, growing to 10 m or more […]

Common Mugwort – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:10 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Common Mugwort Scientific Name: Artemesia vulgaris Comments: Common mugwort is used as a culinary herb and medicinally throughout the world. More Information: Botanical.com and Wikipedia

Spotted Knapweed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Spotted Knapweed Scientific Name: Centaurea maculosa Comments: Spotted knapweed is not native to North America (it came from Europe). It is poisonous to other plants, creating barren areas where only knapweed grows. It can be a skin irritant. More Information: namethatplant.net

Lanceleaf Tickseed – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:55 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Lanceleaf Tickseed Scientific Name: Coreopsis lanceolata Comments: This native perennial wildflower thrives in poor, sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. It is tolerant of heat, humidity and drought. Lanceleaf tickseed features solitary, yellow, daisy-like flowers (1-2″ diameter) with eight yellow rays (toothed at the tips) and flat […]

Black-eyed Susan – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:50 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Black-eyed Susan Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta Comments: Related to cone flowers, this native biennial forms a rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It is covered with hairs that give it a slightly rough texture. More Information: USDA and wildflower.org

Oriental Bittersweet – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:45 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Oriental Bittersweet Scientific Name: Celastrus orbiculatus Comments: This non-native invasive species comes from Asia. It grows as a vine that smothers plants and can topple trees due to its weight. It was introduced into the United States around 1860 as an ornamental plant. In fall, it produces attractive red and […]

Deer-tongue Grass – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It can grow up to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in […]

Canada Wild Lettuce – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Canada Wild Lettuce Scientific Name: Lactuca canadensis Comments: This edible plant can grow to over six feet tall. It has leaves that are shaped like those of a dandelion, and produces dandelion-like yellow flowers. More Information: Wikipedia and iNaturalist

Red Chanterelle Mushroom – 7/11/20

Observer: Lonnie Friedman Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Chanterelle Mushroom Scientific Name: Cantharellus cinnabarinus Comments: Red chanterelles are fungi native to eastern North America. They are members of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. They are named after their red color, which is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. They are edible, fruiting […]

Small Green Wood Orchid – 7/11/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/11/20 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: somewhere in Sharon. Please do not dig up wildflowers! Common Name: Small Green Wood Orchid Scientific Name: Platanthera clavellata Comments: Platanthera is a large genus – about 200 species – in the large Orchidaceae (Orchid) Family. Over 30 of the Platanthera species are found in North America. Platanthera clavellata is protected in at least four states […]

Shinleaf – 7/9/20

Observer: Rita Corey and Larry Myatt Observation Date: 7/9/20 Observation Time: 9:18 a.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street, near entrance to Rattlesnake Hill Common Name: Shinleaf (a.k.a. White Wintergreen) Scientific Name: Pyrola elliptica Comments: Its common name, shinleaf, comes from the medicinal use of the plant, which produces a drug similar to aspirin. This drug has been reported to have analgesic properties and was used on bruised shins and other […]

Small-leaved Linden Tree – 6/21/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/20 Observation Time: 4:35 p.m. Observation Location: Corner of Gavins Pond Rd. and Col. Gridley Rd. Common Name: Small-leaved Linden Tree Scientific Name: Tilia cordata Comments: Tilia cordata, commonly called small-leaved linden or little-leaf linden, is native to Europe. It has been widely planted in the U.S. as an ornamental shade tree because of its (a) attractive foliage, (b) dense, low-branched, pyramidal to ovate […]

Sheep’s Bit – 6/21/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Sheep’s bit Scientific Name: Jasione montana Comments: Sheep’s bit is an annual or biennial, native to Europe and Russia and introduced to North America’s east and west coasts. It was introduced through being grown as a garden ornamental, and is spreading westward from sandy sites in southern New England. More Information: Go Botany

Palmate Hop Clover – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Palmate Hop Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium aureum Comments: Palmate hop clover is an exotic species that is widespread in New England. The common name derives from the fact that as the flower heads age, the florets fold down and become brown, resembling dried hops. More Information: Go […]

Rough-fruited Cinquefoil – 6/14/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/14/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Rough-fruited Cinquefoil Scientific Name: Potentilla recta Comments: Also known as sulphur cinquefoil, this wildflower is native to Europe and Asia. Introduced and naturalized in North America. Found along roads and in disturbed sites. Thrives in full sun and tolerates dry conditions. Flowers from June to August. Blossoms […]

Spreading Dogbane – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 6:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Spreading Dogbane Scientific Name: Apocynum androsaemifolium Comments: Spreading dogbane is a showy member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) that is found in nearly all of the 50 states except some in the southeast. The common name, dogbane, and the genus name, “Apocynum,” meaning “away from dog,” are testaments […]

Catchweed Bedstraw – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 6:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Catchweed Bedstraw Scientific Name: Galium aparine Comments: Native to North America and Eurasia, this weed is an annual broadleaf plant with a shallow, branching taproot. The stems of catchweed bedstraw are square in cross-section, weak, mostly unbranched, and grow to about 6 feet long, but are […]

Carolina Allspice – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Carolina Allspice Scientific Name: Calycanthus floridus Comments: Also known as Carolina Sweetshrub, this plant deserves its name. The blossoms are fragrant and the leaves are aromatic when bruised. I wish I had encountered this plant a week earlier when the blossoms were at their prime. Maybe […]

« 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 15 »