Month: August 2018

Giant Sunflower – Helianthus giganteus

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Helianthus giganteus (Giant Sunflower):

Appearance: Giant sunflower is a tall and robust herbaceous perennial plant with a commanding presence. It can reach heights of 5 to 12 feet (1.5 to 3.6 meters) or even more.

Leaves: The leaves of Helianthus giganteus are large, broad, and heart-shaped, with serrated margins. They are arranged alternately along the stem.

Flowers: The plant produces large, bright yellow flowers with a characteristic brown central disk and yellow ray florets. The flowers are borne at the top of the tall stems and can be several inches in diameter.

Blooming Period: Giant sunflower typically blooms in late summer to fall, from August to October, depending on the region and climate.

Habitat: This species is native to various regions of North America and can be found in wetlands, marshes, meadows, and along the edges of streams and ponds. It prefers moist and well-drained soils.

Distribution: Giant sunflower is found in regions ranging from central Canada to the central and eastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Helianthus giganteus is not considered a threatened species, and its towering presence adds to the ecological diversity of wetland habitats.

Other Species: Helianthus giganteus is part of the Helianthus genus, which includes other sunflower species with diverse characteristics.

Giant sunflower is admired for its impressive height and the sunny disposition of its bright yellow flowers. Its ecological significance as a nectar source for pollinators and as a food source for birds and other wildlife contributes to its popularity in native plant gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Occurrence
Found in some of the grassy areas that were formerly field

Red-Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood):

Appearance: Red osier dogwood is a deciduous shrub with multiple stems, forming dense thickets.

Leaves: The leaves of Cornus sericea are opposite, simple, and elliptical with smooth margins. They have a deep green color during the growing season.

Stems: The young stems of red osier dogwood are bright red, adding a striking visual contrast during the winter months.

Flowers: The plant produces small, white or cream-colored flowers in flat-topped clusters known as cymes. The flowers are not as showy as those of some other dogwood species.

Fruits: After flowering, red osier dogwood develops small, rounded, and whitish berries that are an important food source for birds and wildlife.

Habitat: This species is native to various regions of North America and can be found in wetlands, marshes, stream banks, and other moist habitats.

Distribution: Red osier dogwood is found in regions ranging from northern Canada to the central and northeastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Cornus sericea is not considered a threatened species, and its dense growth habit provides valuable wildlife habitat.

Other Species: Cornus sericea is part of the Cornus genus, which includes other dogwood species with diverse characteristics.

Red osier dogwood is valued for its winter interest, with its vibrant red stems adding color to the landscape during the colder months. Its adaptability to wetter environments makes it a useful choice for erosion control and wildlife habitat restoration projects.

Occurrence
Found in lower marshy areas.

New England Aster – Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster):

Appearance: New England aster is a herbaceous perennial plant with multiple stems and a bushy growth habit. It can reach heights of 2 to 6 feet (60 to 180 centimeters).

Leaves: The leaves of Symphyotrichum novae-angliae are alternate, lance-shaped, and serrated along the margins. They are medium to dark green in color.

Flowers: The plant produces large, daisy-like flowers with vibrant purple, pink, or sometimes white ray florets and a yellow central disk. The flowers are borne in dense clusters at the top of the stems.

Blooming Period: New England aster typically blooms in late summer to fall, from August to October, depending on the region and climate.

Habitat: This species is native to eastern North America and can be found in meadows, prairies, open woodlands, and along roadsides.

Distribution: New England aster is found in regions ranging from eastern Canada to the central and northeastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is not considered a threatened species, and its late-season blooming provides essential nectar for pollinators during the fall.

Other Species: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is part of the Symphyotrichum genus, which includes other aster species with diverse characteristics.

New England aster is cherished for its profusion of late-season blooms, which make it a valuable addition to native plant gardens, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and wildlife habitats. Its attractiveness to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators enhances its ecological importance in supporting biodiversity.

Occurrence
Found in tall grass areas in various places.

Wild Cucumber – Echinocystis lobata

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Wild cucumber is a vigorous annual vine that can climb and sprawl over nearby vegetation.

Leaves: The leaves of Echinocystis lobata are alternate, palmately lobed with five shallow lobes, and roughly triangular in shape.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers in clusters, which are not as showy as those of some other cucurbit species.

Fruits: After flowering, wild cucumber forms large, spiny, and balloon-like fruits that give rise to its common name “wild cucumber.”

Habitat: This species is native to various regions of North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, thickets, and along stream banks.

Distribution: Wild cucumber is found in regions ranging from eastern Canada to the central and eastern parts of the United States.

Conservation: Echinocystis lobata is not considered a threatened species, and its rapid growth contributes to its ecological role in covering open areas and providing shelter for wildlife.

Other Species: Echinocystis lobata is part of the Echinocystis genus, which includes other cucumber species with diverse characteristics.

Wild cucumber is appreciated for its rapid and exuberant growth, making it a captivating sight as it climbs and spreads across its surroundings. While not commonly cultivated in gardens, it is a valuable native plant in natural

Occurrence
Found sporadically throughout the property

Stiff Goldenrod – Solidago rigida

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Solidago rigida is a herbaceous perennial plant characterized by its erect stems and dense clusters of yellow, composite flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are lance-shaped and serrated along the margins.

Flowers: Stiff goldenrod produces small, bright yellow flowers arranged in densely packed, pyramidal-shaped clusters at the tips of the stems.

Habitat: It is commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.

Distribution: This species is native to various regions of North America.

Occurrence
Widespread in grassy areas, though not as common as the other golden rods

American Wild Plum – Prunus americana

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Prunus americana is a deciduous shrub or small tree known for its white flowers and red or yellowish fruit. Small shrub/tree with zig-zag growth on stiff woody branches. Produces small edible plums. Leaves do not have glands on the leaf stalk which differentiates it from the Canada Plum.

Leaves: The leaves are elliptical, serrated, and finely toothed.

Flowers: American plum produces small, white flowers with five petals that appear in clusters.

Fruit: The fruit is a round, fleshy drupe that is typically red or yellow when mature.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, edges of forests, and along streams.

Distribution: This species is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found in various places on the property

Canada Plum – Prunus nigra

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Prunus nigra is a deciduous shrub or small tree with white flowers and red or purple fruit.

Leaves: The leaves are elliptical, serrated, and finely toothed, similar to those of Prunus americana. Leaves have glands on the leaf stalk which differentiates it from the American Plum.

Flowers: Canada plum produces small, white flowers with five petals that appear in clusters.

Fruit: The fruit is a round, fleshy drupe that is typically red or purple when mature.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, edges of forests, and along streams, similar to Prunus americana.

Distribution: This species is native to North America.

Distinguishing Prunus americana from Prunus nigra: Prunus americana and Prunus nigra are similar in appearance, but their fruit color can be a distinguishing factor. Prunus americana typically has red or yellowish fruit, while Prunus nigra usually has red or purple fruit. Additionally, detailed examination of the leaves and flowers can help in accurate identification.

Occurrence
Found in various places on the property

Smooth Solomon’s Seal – Polygonatum biflorum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Polygonatum biflorum is a perennial herb known for its arching stems and pairs of dangling, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are elliptical and alternate along the stem, and they have smooth margins.

Flowers: The flowers are typically borne in pairs (hence the name “biflorum”) and hang from the leaf axils.

Habitat: It is commonly found in shaded woodlands and forest understories.

Distribution: This species is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Found throughout the wooded areas

American Water Horehound – Lycopus americanus

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Lycopus americanus is a herbaceous perennial with square stems and clusters of tiny white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped, and toothed.

Flowers: The flowers are small, white, and arranged in dense whorls in the leaf axils.

Habitat: It is typically found in wetland areas, along stream banks, and in moist meadows.

Distribution: This species is native to eastern and central North America.

Occurrence
Found in prairie section

Round-Headed Bush Clover – Lespedeza capitata

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description
Crowded globe shaped clusters of white flowers on long leaning stems with 3-way compound leaves that are alternate on the stem.

Appearance: Lespedeza capitata is a perennial herb known for its erect stems and globe-like clusters of small, pink to lavender flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with three leaflets.

Flowers: The flowers are pink to lavender and arranged in dense, round clusters at the tips of the stems.

Habitat: It is commonly found in open fields, meadows, and along roadsides.

Distribution: This species is native to eastern and central North America.

Occurrence
Found in prairie section