Plant – Page 8 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Enchanter’s Nightshade – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Enchanter’s Nightshade Scientific Name: Circaea quadrisulcata Comments: Enchanter’s nightshade is a member of the primrose family. More Information: UMass Amherst Weed Herbarium

Witch’s Butter Fungus – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Botanical Trail Common Name: Witch’s Butter Fungus Scientific Name: Tremella mesenterica Comments: Although the species appears to be growing on wood, it is actually a parasite on the (usually hidden) mycelium of a crust fungus. More Information: MushoomExpert.com

Indian Pipe – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 10:45 a.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Indian Pipe Scientific Name: Monotropa uniflora Comments: Indian pipe, also known as ghost plant (or ghost pipe) or corpse plant, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to temperate regions of European Russia, Asia, North America and northern South America, but with large gaps between areas. It is generally rare in […]

American Hornbeam – 6/23/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/19 Observation Time: 10:45 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: American Hornbeam Scientific Name: Carpinus caroliniana Comments: The common English name hornbeam derives from the hardness of the wood (likened to animal horn) and the Old English beam, meaning “tree” (cognate with German Baum). The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first […]

Money Flower – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: beginning of the trail at the end of Brook Road Common Name: Money Flower (a.k.a. Honesty) Scientific Name: Lunaria annua Comments: The seed pods of the money flower are shaped like coins. This flower originated from the Balkans and southwest Asia. Its popularity as a garden flower means that colonies are most often seen near to towns and […]

Rattlesnake Root (3-leaved) – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: trail near Brook Road Common Name: Three-leaved Rattlesnake Root Scientific Name: Nabalus trifoliolatus Comments: The leaves of this species of rattlesnake root look quite different from the arrowhead-shaped leaves of other kinds of rattlesnake root. More Information: GoBotany

Roundleaf Greenbriar – 6/9/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: along trail near Brook Road Common Name: Roundleaf Greenbriar Scientific Name: Smilax rotundifolia Comments: Greenbriar vines, often found near wetlands, have glossy, rounded leaves and large, sharp thorns. The tips of the vines are edible. More information: Marblehead Conservancy

Crown-tipped Coral Fungus – 6/9/19

Observer: Hana Jenner Observation Date: 6/9/19 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: on a log beside a trail near Brook Road Common Name: Crown-tipped Coral Fungus Scientific Name: Artomyces pyxidatus Comments: This is one of the few coral fungi found on decaying wood. The crown-like tips of the branches are unlike those of any of the other coral fungi, thus making this species relatively easy to […]

Deer-tongue Grass – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Along the dirt road under the power lines on the other side of South Main Street from Ward’s Berry Farm 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 grows to 2′ to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH […]

Bird’s Foot Violet – 5/27/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/27/19 Observation Time: 4:40 p.m. Observation Location: Power lines near Walpole St. Common Name: Bird’s Foot Violet Scientific Name: Viola pedata Comments: Bird-foot violets are perennials with five-petaled flowers that bloom from March to June. The flowers are typically blue, but can range from white to purple. They spread by sending out rhizomes. The fan-shaped leaves have three lobes which are said to […]

Black Huckleberry – 5/27/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/27/19 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: Beneath high tension wires near So. Walpole St. Common Name: Black Huckleberry Scientific Name: Gaylussacia baccata Comments: These are the distinctive bright red unopened flower buds of black huckleberry, Gaylussacia baccata. They are typically no more than waist-high. They often form a near-continuous shrub layer in dryish oak woods. In moister soils they tend to […]

Yellow Birch Tree – 5/27/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/27/19 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Morse & Lakeview Common Name: Yellow Birch Tree Scientific Name: Betula alleghaniensis Comments: A large and important lumber species of birch native to North-eastern North America. It has shaggy bark. More Information: Wikipedia

Wild Geranium – 5/26/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/19 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Wild geranium Scientific Name: Geranium maculatum Comments: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodlands of eastern North America. More Information: USDA Forest Service

Autumn Olive – 5/26/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/19 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Autumn Olive Scientific Name: Elaeagnus umbellata Comments: Autumn-olive is a hardy, prolific shrub that thrives in a variety of conditions, in part because it is capable of fixing nitrogen. Some varieties can produce up to 80 pounds (37 kilos) of bright red edible berries in a season, which ripen […]

Ground Ivy – 5/26/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/19 Observation Time: 8:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Ground Ivy (a.k.a. “Gill-over-the-ground”) Scientific Name: Glechoma hederacea Comments: Commonly known as ground-ivy, gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, and run-away-robin, it has numerous medicinal uses, and is used as a salad green in many countries. European settlers carried it around the world, and it has become a well-established […]

Creeping Myrtle – 5/21/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/19 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Creeping Myrtle Scientific Name: Vinca minor Comments: Also known as dwarf periwinkle, this non-native plant comes from Europe. It makes a good groundcover, and it produces lovely purple blossoms in spring and into summer, but once established it spreads and is hard to eradicate. More Information: Wikipedia

Pignut Hickory Tree – 5/19/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/19 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Pignut Hickory Tree Scientific Name: Carya glabya Comments: This tree is one of many plants identified along a botanical trail established by Kurt Buermann, President of the Sharon Friends of Conservation. More Information: Wikipedia

Witchhazel Tree – 5/19/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/19 Observation Time: 3:25 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: American Witchhazel Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana Comments: This specimen was observed in a shady, wooded area near the Sharon Friends of Conservation botanical trail. More Information: Carolina Nature

American Beech Tree – 5/19/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/19 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: American Beech Tree Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia Comments: These specimens were observed in a shady, wooded area. The American Beech is a shade-tolerant species, favoring shade more than other trees, commonly found in forests in the final stage of succession. Ecological succession is essentially the process of forests changing their […]

Starflower – 5/19/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/19 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Billings Loop Botanical Trail Common Name: Starflower Scientific Name: Lysimachia borealis Comments: Formerly known as Trientalis borealis, it has been shuffled around to new species name Lysimachia borealis (same genus as the yellow Loosestrifes) and moved to the Myrsinaceae (Myrsine) family. This member of the primrose family likes moist woods. It blooms in May. […]

Turkey-tail Fungus – 5/13/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/19 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Turkey-tail Fungus Scientific Name: Trametes versicolor Comments: This could also be false turkey-tail lichen. I neglected to inspect the underside to see if it had pores. More Information: Edible Wild Food

Tussock Sedge – 5/8/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/8/19 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (wetland boardwalk) Common Name: Tussock Sedge Scientific Name: Carex stricta Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites. More Information: North Creek Nurseries

Wild Violet – 5/7/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/7/19 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Wild Violet Scientific Name: Viola odorata Comments: V. odorata is native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australia. It is a hardy herbaceous flowering perennial. More Information: Wikipedia

Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty – 5/7/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/7/19 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Sharon Common Name: Narrow-leaved Spring Beauty Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica Comments: Its scientific name honors Colonial Virginia botanist John Clayton (1694–1773). Please do not dig up any wildflowers you may find in Sharon. Leave them for everyone to enjoy! More Information: Wikipedia

Common Mullein – 4/16/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/19 Observation Time: 2:00 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 […]

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