Month: August 2018

Common Hops – Humulus lupulus

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Humulus lupulus is a vigorous, climbing herbaceous plant known for its lobed leaves and cone-like structures.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed and serrated along the margins.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that are inconspicuous. However, it is best known for the cone-like structures that develop later, which are used in brewing.

Habitat: It is often cultivated for use in brewing beer and can also be found growing wild in moist areas along streams and rivers.

Distribution: Common hop is native to Europe and Asia but is now cultivated in various regions worldwide.

Occurrence
Found sporadically throughout the property

American Highbush Cranberry – Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: American cranberrybush viburnum is a deciduous shrub known for its distinctive, three-lobed leaves and clusters of white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are palmately lobed with three main lobes and serrated edges.

Flowers: It produces small, white, flat-topped clusters of flowers.

Fruit: The fruit is a red berry that resembles cranberries.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, woodlands, and along stream banks.

Distribution: This variety is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Found sporadically on property – particularly in old fence lines.

Bottlebrush Grass – Elymus hystrix

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Bottlebrush grass is a native perennial grass known for its distinctive seed heads.

Leaves: The leaves are long and linear with a bluish-green color.

Seed Heads: The seed heads are bottlebrush-shaped and have long awns, giving them a unique appearance.

Habitat: It is typically found in woodlands and shaded areas.

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

Occurrence
Found in wooded areas or woods edges.

Wolfberry – Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Symphoricarpos occidentalis is a deciduous shrub known for its small, pinkish-white flowers and white, waxy berries.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, simple, and typically elliptical in shape.

Flowers: The plant produces small, bell-shaped, pinkish-white flowers.

Fruit: The fruit is a small, round, white berry that resembles a tiny snowball.

Habitat: It is commonly found in open woodlands, meadows, and along the edges of forests.

Distribution: Western snowberry is native to western North America.

Occurrence
Widespread in most grassy areas.

Pale Corydalis – Corydalis sempervirens

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Corydalis sempervirens is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its delicate, fern-like leaves and spurred, tubular flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are finely divided and have a lacy appearance.

Flowers: The flowers are spurred and typically pink to lavender in color.

Habitat: It is commonly found in rocky or gravelly soils, often in woodland or forested areas.

Distribution: Rock harlequin is native to eastern North America.

Occurrence
Accidentally introduced into the fern outcropping

Gray Dogwood – Cornus racemosa

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Cornus racemosa is a deciduous shrub known for its clusters of white flowers and bluish-white fruit.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, simple, and elliptical in shape.

Flowers: The plant produces small, white flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters.

Fruit: The fruit is a bluish-white drupe.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, thickets, and along stream banks.

Occurrence
Widespread throughout the property

Blue Giant Hyssop – Agastache foeniculum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Agastache foeniculum is a herbaceous perennial known for its fragrant leaves and spikes of tubular flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped, and have a strong anise or licorice scent when crushed.

Flowers: The plant produces spikes of tubular flowers that can vary in color from lavender to purple.

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

Distribution: Anise hyssop is native to central and eastern North America.

Occurrence
Widespread in the grassy areas of the property

Maryland Black Snakeroot – Sanicula marilandica

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Sanicula marilandica is a herbaceous perennial plant known for its compound leaves and clusters of small, greenish-white flowers.

Leaves: The leaves are compound with three leaflets, and they often have toothed margins.

Flowers: The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers arranged in umbels.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands, especially in rich, moist soils.

Distribution: Maryland black snakeroot is native to eastern and central North America

Occurrence
Found in various places in the wooded areas

Downy Arrow-Wood – Viburnum rafinesquianum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Viburnum rafinesquianum is a deciduous shrub known for its opposite leaves, white flowers, and blue-black berries.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite, simple, and have a serrated margin. They are typically pubescent (covered in fine hairs).

Flowers: The plant produces small, white, flat-topped clusters of flowers.

Fruit: The fruit is a small, blue-black berry.

Habitat: It is commonly found in woodlands and along the edges of forests.

Distribution: Downy arrowwood is native to eastern North America.

Occurance
Found sporadically in the woods on the property – notably in the large brush island

Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Sorghastrum nutans is a native warm-season grass known for its tall, bunching growth habit.

Leaves: The leaves are long and narrow, with a prominent midrib. They typically turn golden in the fall.

Flowers: The plant produces feathery, golden-brown flower heads with a distinctive shape.

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

Distribution: Indian grass is native to eastern and central North America.

Occurrence
Found in the prairie section and the south east field