Plant – Page 5 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

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 […]

Platterful Mushroom – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Platterful Mushroom Scientific Name: Megacollybia rodmani Comments: Platterful mushrooms appear after May and June rains. It had rained heavily two days earlier. This one was growing on a rotting log beside the trail. More Information: Mushroomexpert.com Top view:

Royal Fern – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Royal Fern Scientific Name: Osmunda regalis Comments: The royal fern belongs to the family Osmundaceae; fossils belonging to this family have been found in rocks of Permian age (230,000,000 years before present), a time when the continents were consolidated into the supercontinent Pangea. More Information: Wikipedia

American Groundnut – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: American Groundnut Scientific Name: Apios americana Comments: Apios americana is found in every state east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a perennial vine that grows to 10 feet long in wet areas – marshy meadows and thickets, stream and pond banks, and moist woodlands. Both the tuber and the […]

Joe Pye Weed – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Joe Pye Weed Scientific Name: Eupatorium purpureum Comments: Joe Pye Weed is an herbaceous, late-blooming perennial native to much of the U.S. It is a wildflower and an herb that was used as an herbal remedy to lower fevers and other maladies. The plant is named after […]

Common Mullein – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Mullein Scientific Name: Verbascum thapsus Comments: Verbascum thapsus has a wide native range including Europe, northern Africa and Asia, from the Azores and Canary Islands east to western China, north to the British Isles, Scandinavia and Siberia, and south to the Himalayas. In the United States […]

Purple Foxglove – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Purple Foxglove Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea Comments: Purple foxglove, Digitalis purpurea, is a biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial from western Europe in the plantain family. It is sometimes called common foxglove, fairy gloves, fairy bells, or lady’s glove. Purple foxglove is naturally quite variable in size and […]

Southern Arrowwood – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Southern Arrowwood Scientific Name: Viburnum dentatum Comments: Native Americans reportedly used the straight stems of this species for arrow shafts, hence the common name. The scientific name “dentatum” refers to the toothed edges of its leaves. More Information: Missouri Botanical Garden

Broad-leaved Dock – 6/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/13/20 Observation Time: 4:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Broad-leaved Dock Scientific Name: Rumex obtusifolius Comments: Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as broad-leaved dock, bitter dock, bluntleaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock, is a perennial plant in the family Polygonaceae. It is native to Europe, but is found on all temperate continents. It is a highly invasive species […]

Eastern Redcedar Tree – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: conservation land across the street from the Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: Eastern Redcedar Tree Scientific Name: Juniperus virginiana Comments: Birds love its berries. More Information: Arbor Day Foundation

Maple-leaf Viburnum – 6/9/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/20 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: shady woods near Gavins Pond Common Name: Maple-leaf Viburnum Scientific Name: Viburnum acerifolium Comments: Maple-leaf viburnum has long been cultivated for its attractive summer flowers and foliage; then the autumn leaves turn rose-purple and contrast with the mature dark fruits. The plants will thrive in moist soils and a range of light conditions but they are a […]

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