There are some 250 different flowering plants in the genus Rhus (currently, as new research may lead to breaking up this group into smaller segments), but unfortunately we only seem to remember the infamous ones: Poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron), poison oak (Rhus diversiloba) and poison sumac (Rhus vernix) can be quite memorable. They all contain […]
Archive for the ‘Interesting’ Category
Rhus typhina (staghorn sumac)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Plant bio, Recipe on July 5, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
From the non-native dossier: Hypericum perforatum (common st. johnswort)
Posted in Flora, Interesting, Invasive, Plant bio on July 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
While there are quite a few native Hypericum species (other types of st. Johnswort), the common yellow roadside flower we can currently observe, is not. Hypericum perforatum was introduced to North America in the 1700s. Its origins are in Eurasia. It has “perforatum” in its name because it seems the leaves have perforations when you […]
From the invasives dossier: Tanacetum vulgare (tansy)
Posted in Flora, Interesting, Invasive, Plant bio on July 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
This perennial herb from the sunflower family is native to Europe and Eurasia. The plant has distinct finely divided, alternating compound leaves and yellow, button-like flowers. It is a tall plant that branches near the top. Tansy gives off a scent similar to camphor with hints of rosemary. The leaves and flowers are toxic if […]
Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Plant bio on July 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The lady fern is native to all of North America and Eurasia, and prefers semi-shaded deciduous forests. This fern seems to move – the old rhizomes will die off and fresh fern growth will appear elsewhere. Lady fern has some food value to wildlife – out west Grizzly bears eat this fern. Here on Cape […]
Beach Blanket Spider
Posted in Fauna, Guest blogger, Interesting on July 3, 2011 | 1 Comment »
It’s hard to believe I haven’t posted anything since 5/25, I guess spending as much time as possible outside this season has been keeping me busy. A couple recent incidents have given me the need to once again become the amateur naturalist sleuth and seek out solutions to buggy business. As you may know, I […]
Vitas labrusca (fox grape vine)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Plant bio on July 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Whether Vinland was located in Newfoundland, on present day Cape Cod, or somewhere inbetween, there is no dispute that the Norsemen were here long before Columbus re-discovered America. And I am pretty sure they named their discovery after the fox grape vine. This was repeated when Bartholomew Gosnold named the island of Martha’s Vineyard. This […]
Tradescantia virginiana (virginia spiderwort)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Plant bio, Tips on June 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
This species of spiderwort is also fairly common in the eastern US, including Massachusetts. I can tell it apart from Tradescantia ohiensis because I acquired virginia spiderwort from a plant center with purple-pink, rather than blue flowers. T. ohiensis also has a blue tint on the stems. However, you can’t rely just on color – […]
fruit isn’t just for fall
Posted in Fauna, Interesting on June 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Plants don’t waste time. Why wait until tomorrow if today will do… Once a plant’s done blooming, they’ll put energy into the fruits and seeds. Some of the spring bloomers are ripening the fruit on the stem, to make them attractive to birds, or they are ready to drop the seed to the garden floor […]
Osmunda regalis (royal fern)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Plant bio on June 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The royal fern prefers moist to wet soils in partial to full shade. It also likes rich, humusy, acidic soils, but adapts to less perfect conditions, such as my woodland garden. The soil there is definitely more sandy, but over time the leaves from the overhead canopy, with some assistance from bacteria and worms, will […]
Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern)
Posted in Flora, Interesting, Plant bio on June 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
This very adaptable fern finds its home in most of the northern hemisphere. It is abundant in disturbed areas on Cape Cod, and is the fern most often found next to roads. It readily moves into new ground, when given the chance. The fiddleheads are eaten in some places, such as Japan, but this particular […]