Plant – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Ladies Tresses – 9/14/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 9/14/23 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: old field at King Phillip’s Rock area Common Name: Ladies’ Tresses Scientific Name: Spiranthes cernua Comments: Typically found in fields, damp meadows, moist thickets, and grassy swamps, Ladies’ Tresses bloom in late summer and fall. Please do not dig up wildflowers. More Information: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Carolina Horsenettle – 8/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/23 Observation Time: 4:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (garden in my back yard) Common Name: Carolina Horsenettle Scientific Name: Solanum carolinense Comments: As the name implies, the natural range of this invasive, thorny weed is the mid-Atlantic states, but it is spreading north as the climate warms. More Information: Minnesota Wildflowers

Crown-tipped Coral Fungus – 7/1/23

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 7/1/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Billings St. 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. Seek (the free cell phone app) readily identified it. More Information: […]

Golden Ragwort – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (under high tension wires) Common Name: Golden Ragwort Scientific Name: Senecio aureus (also known as Packera aurea) Comments: Golden Ragwort is a biannual plant with yellow-orange flowers. It grows to a height of 2 feet and belongs to Asteraceae family (i.e. asters). More Information: Grow Native

Smooth Brome grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Brome grass Scientific Name: Bromus inermis Comments: Smooth brome is a Eurasian species of grass introduced to North America, where it has been used extensively for habitat rehabilitation and as a forage plant. More Information: Go Botany

Orchard Grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Orchard Grass Scientific Name: Dactylis glomerata Comments: Native to Europe, orchard grass has been introduced nearly worldwide. It came to North America in the 1700s, and is frequently planted as a forage grass. More Information: Go Botany

Smooth Meadow-grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Meadow-grass Scientific Name: Poa pratensis Comments: Smooth meadow-grass is valued as a pasture and turf grass, particularly in golf courses, but is considered an invasive weed in natural grassland ecosystems, where it outcompetes native species, reduces biodiversity and alters nitrogen cycling and ecosystem function. More Information: […]

Rust Fungus – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Rust Fungus Scientific Name: genus Pucciniaceae Comments: Rust fungus is a plant disease. This rust fungus was growing on buckthorn leaves. More Information: Wikipedia

Swan’s Sedge – 5/25/23

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 12:26 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Lakeview St. Common Name: Swan’s Sedge Scientific Name: Carex swanii Comments: A diverse array of grass species can be found in Sharon. More Information: iNaturalist

White-edged Sedge – 5/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: White-edged Sedge Scientific Name: Carex debilis Comments: The drooping seed stalks are characteristic. More Information: Go Botany

Poison Sumac – 5/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 6:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (wetland boardwalk) Common Name: Poison Sumac Scientific Name: Toxicodendron vernix Comments: Everyone should learn to identify poison sumac and avoid contact with it. As both its common name and its scientific name suggest, the leaves of this plant can cause an itchy rash. Poison sumac is often found in […]

Siberian Iris – 5/23/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 8:25 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Siberian Iris Scientific Name: Iris siberica Comments: These gaudy flowers are non-native. They are typically purple, but they come in a range of colors including white. More Information: Wikipedia

Alder Buckthorn – 5/23/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 7:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary (boardwalk) Common Name: Alder Buckthorn Scientific Name: Frangula alnus Comments: Alder buckthorn, also known as glossy buckthorn, is a tall shrub. I saw a hummingbird moving from tiny blossom to tiny blossom. Otherwise I probably would not have noticed that it was in bloom. I also saw some […]

Sapphire Berry – 5/23/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/23 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Sapphire Berry Scientific Name: Synplocos paniculata Comments: Sapphire Berry is a non-native shrub. Since it is a non-native species that spreads and displaces native plants, the specimen shown in the photo will be removed. More Information: Wikipedia

Yellow Star Grass – 5/17/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/17/23 Observation Time: 7:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Yellow Star Grass Scientific Name: Hypoxis hirsuta Comments: Yellow star-grass is the only native wildflower with a six-petaled yellow blossom. More Information: U.S. Wildflowers

Ash Tree (diseased) – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 4:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Ash Tree (diseased) Scientific Name: genus Fraxinus Comments: This tree was killed by emerald ash borer beetles, which have killed millions of ash trees and threaten the future of ash trees. More Information: Britannica

Blue Toadflax – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Bluff Trail) Common Name: Blue Toadflax Scientific Name: Nuttallanthus canadensis Comments: These diminutive wildflowers bloom from April to September. At first glance they look like nondescript spindly weeds, but viewed up close they are stunningly beautiful. More Information: Conn. Botanical Society

Indian Cucumber Root – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon WIldlife Sanctuary Common Name: Indian Cucumber Root Scientific Name: Medeola virginiana Comments: Indian cucumber-root is a common perennial of the forest understory in New England. As the name suggests, the edible root tastes somewhat like cucumber. More Information: Go Botany

Common Buttercup – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Common Buttercup Scientific Name: Ranunculus acris Comments: The Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris); also called Tall Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup and Blister Plant; is a perennial forb/herb in the Ranunculaceae family. The family and genus names come from the Latin for “little frog” because this family prefers wet areas. […]

Marsh Blue Violet – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 3:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk) Common Name: Marsh Blue Violet Scientific Name: Viola cucullata Comments: The violets of North America come in two general forms, the stemmed violets and the stemless violets. Stemmed violets produce leaves and flowers on upright stems. Stemless violets produce leaves and flowers from and underground vertical or […]

Royal Fern – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 7:15 a.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

Marsh Fern – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (boardwalk) Common Name: Marsh Fern Scientific Name: Thelypteris pelustris Comments: This diminutive fern is typically found in wetlands. More Information: Wikipedia

Jack-in-the-pulpit – 5/13/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/23 Observation Time: 11:20 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Jack-in-the-pulpit Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum Comments: Jack-in-the-pulpits grow in largely deciduous forests with plenty of shade. They prefer rich, moist soil and can often be found near wetlands and vernal pools. In the late summer, after the plant’s flower has been pollinated, it produces a large clump of […]

Starflower – 5/13/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/13/23 Observation Time: 8:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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 […]

Star of Bethlehem – 5/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/23 Observation Time: 9:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Star of Bethlehem Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum Comments: The Star of Bethlehem is a genus (Ornithogalum) of perennial plants native to southern Europe belonging to the family Hyacinthaceae. Growing from a bulb, it has grass-like basal leaves and a slender stalk, up to 12 inches tall, bearing […]

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