Plant – Page 7 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

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: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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 […]

Skunk Cabbage – 4/16/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/19 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Skunk Cabbage Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus Comments: Skunk cabbages are among the first plants to emerge in early spring. They can maintain an internal temperature significantly warmer than the surrounding air – as much as 15-35 degrees warmer – by consuming carbohydrates stored in their fleshy rhizomes. […]

Rock-shield Lichen – 4/16/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/19 Observation Time: 12:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Rock-shield Lichen Scientific Name: Xanthoparmelia sp. Comments: A lichen is a composite organism that emerges from algae or cyanobacteria living among the filaments of the fungi in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship. The fungi benefit from the carbohydrates produced by the algae or cyanobacteria via photosynthesis. […]

White Pine – 12/20/18

Observer: Deborah Radovsky Observation Date: 12/20/18 Observation Time: early morning Observation Location: Conservation trail near the lake (dog park trail) Common Name: White Pine Scientific Name: Pinus strobus Comments: White pines can live over 500 years and grow to more than 150 feet tall. More Information: Wikipedia O

Christmas Fern – 10/31/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/31/18 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: Off Mountain Street, off Bay Rd. Common Name: Evergreen Fern, or Christmas Fern Scientific Name: Polystichum acrostichoides Comments: One of the commonest ferns in eastern North America, being found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, rocky slopes, and stream banks. The common name derives from the evergreen fronds which are often still green at Christmas […]

Witchhazel Tree – 10/31/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/31/18 Observation Location: Mountain Street area Common Name: Witchhazel Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana Comments: Small tree, very common in some areas off Mountain Street. Known for reducing skin inflammations such as acne. Used by Native Americans for dousing sticks to find water. Small yellow blossoms in October. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. More Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/hamamelis_virginiana.shtml

Rock Tripe – 10/30/18

Observer: Kathy Farrell Observation Date: 10/30/2018 Observation Time: N/A Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: Rock Tripe lichen Scientific Name: Umbilicaria mammulata Comments: This lichen is edible (after boiling several times). It is considered to be “starvation food.” There are stories of George Washington’s troops eating it when they had nothing else. I found it in a rocky cliff area. More Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STxqLRmK03c and https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2010/04/ruminations-on-rock-tripe.html

Joe Pye Weed – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 1:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Joe Pye Weed Scientific Name: Eupatorium purpureum Comments: Joe Pye weed is an herbaceous, late-blooming perennial native to much of the U.S. It is a wildflower and an herb that was used as an herbal remedy to lower fevers and other maladies. The plant goes by the […]

Amanita Mushroom – 8/15/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/15/18 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Amanita mushroom Scientific Name: Amanita sp. Comments: The genus of this mushroom is probably Amanita, but it’s hard to say which of the numerous species of Amanita this is. Mushrooms of the genus Amanita account for most mushroom-related deaths. More information: MushroomExpert.com

Butternut (White Walnut) – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Butternut (White Walnut) Scientific Name: Juglans cinerea Comments: Butternut is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m (66 ft) tall, rarely 40 m (130 ft). Butternut is a slow-growing species, and rarely lives longer than 75 years. It has a 40–80 cm (16–31 in) stem diameter, with light gray bark. More Information: Wikipedia and Arbor Day Foundation

Tall Meadow Rue – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Tall Meadow Rue Scientific Name:Thalictrum pubescens Comments: Meadow rue flowers have no petals; the conspicuous part of the flower is the white filaments of the stamens. More Information: Connecticut Botanical Society

Wild Onion – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Wild Onion or Crow Garlic Scientific Name: Allium vineale Comments: Instead of flowers, they have bulbils, which are miniature sprouts not unlike garlic cloves. More Information: Wikipedia or GoBotany

Reed Canary Grass – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Reed Canary Grass Scientific Name: Phalaris arundinacea Comments: Reed canary grass has become invasive or problematic in New England and across North America, and the invasive plants may be the Eurasian genotype. More Information: GoBotany

Bracken Fern – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Bracken Fern Scientific Name: Pteridium aquilinum Comments: Bracken fern often becomes dominant after disturbances such as fire, logging and grazing due to its deep rhizome. Humans have used bracken fern for thatch, livestock, bedding, and food, though it does contain some toxic compounds. More Information: Go Botany

Poison Ivy – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Poison Ivy Scientific Name: Toxicodendron radicans Comments: Everyone should learn to identify poison ivy and avoid contact with its glossy, notched leaves. As both its common name and its scientific name suggest, the triplicate leaves of this plant can cause an intensely itchy rash that lasts for weeks. […]

Wild Geranium – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary 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, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota. More […]

Dandelion – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Dandelion Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale Comments: Native to Europe, it has spread nearly worldwide. The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The taproot can be boiled and eaten or dried and ground as a base for a hot drink. More Information: Go Botany

Autumn Olive – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 9:10 a.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 […]

Common Buttercup – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 Observation Time: 8:55 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) 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. It’s […]

Ground Ivy – 5/23/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/23/18 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 […]

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