| Bloodroot
is a small, woodland plant with an ephemeral white flower and an oddly
shaped leaf. This individual bears a floral bud which is likely to open
within 24 hours. The red sap produced by these plants has been used as
a dye by Native Americans and an extract of the toxic root has
medicinal applications. |
|
Common Name: Bloodroot or Red Puccoon
Scientific Name: Sanquinaria canadensis
Where to Look: A small colony is located on the Fern Gully Trail. Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| The Common Violet, Viola floridana,
and its relatives are underappreciated small jewels of the spring
landscape. Seeds of these plants are gathered by ants for the special
wrapping, or elaiosome; most of the seed, including the embryo, is then
discarded by the ants into the nitrogen rich refuse pile. When the
seeds germinate they experience enhanced growth, thus both species
benefit from the relationship. |
|
Common Name: Common Violet
Scientific Name: Viola floridana
Where to Look: Throughout the Center but most conspicuous in Fern Gully and along Pioneer Trail.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| Dogwood
is one of our most beloved small trees, but local populations seem to
be declining perhaps due to disease or drought. At the Center, several
apparently healthy individuals have succumbed to this blight in recent
years and our attempts to reintroduce young seedlings have not been
successful. In much of the eastern United States, an exotic fungus, Discula destructiva, is implicated, but drought stress pre-disposes the trees to infection. |
|
Common Name: Flowering Dogwood
Scientific Name: Cornus florida
Where to Look:
Our most conspicuous individuals are located on the east end of the
Center between Whitetail trail and Pioneer trail, near the junction of
Grapevine Loop and Whitetail trail.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| Dwarf Crested Iris is an elegant native Iris which is much less common than Iris virginica,
the Blue Flag. This small species prefers wooded slopes along streams
but it adapts well to shaded rock gardens. A few small colonies have
been established in the Center; one of these is near the bridge across
the parking lot from Price Hall. |
|
Common Name: Crested Iris
Scientific Name: Iris cristata
Where to Look: Next to the bridge near the greenhouse
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| In
early spring it is usually possible to find clusters of small dark cups
growing on rotting oak limbs on the forest floor. These cups are a type
of ascomycete fungus which often persist for many weeks at a given
location. Look carefully on the first part of Grapevine Loop just
before reaching the boardwalk and several colonies can be found growing
on fallen limbs of Post Oak. |
|
Common Name: Black Cup Fungus
Scientific Name: Unknown, but apparently a member of genus Paxina
Where to Look: Throughout the Center but colonies near trails can be seen along Grapevine Loop as described above.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| Beeflies
are often seen hovering in midair, usually near flowers, or near sites
where ground nesting solitary bee aggregations occur. This individual,
and several others were hovering next to fresh flowers of Black Willow
in Butterfly Garden and occasionally they would land to obtain nectar.
Others were flying low over a sweat bee aggregation on the trail; these
flies are noted social parasites of various solitary bee species. |
|
Common Name: Beefly
Scientific Name: Bombylius major
Where to Look: Around fresh flowers and around aggregations of halictid bees. Check the area in Butterfly Garden on the west side of the pond. Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| Our
local Black Carpenter Ant is a large species which nests in wood but
feeds primarily on insects. This individual was observed while foraging
along the stem of a small Persimmon Tree. Close inspection reveals the
miniature minefield faced by these small creatures in the form of
spider silk. |
|
Common Name: Black Carpenter Ant
Scientific Name: Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Where to Look: Very common throughout the Center.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| Rusty
blackhaw, or Bluehaw, is a small tree scattered throughout the Center.
It is most conspicuous at this time when baseball size clusters of tiny
white flowers appear but it is also a subtle presence during the fall
leaf turn and in summer when the dark blue fruits appear. The flowers
are visited by many species of pollinators including beetles, flies,
bees and butterflies. |
|
Common Name: Rusty Blackhaw
Scientific Name: Viburnum rufidulum
Where to Look: Several
individuals can be seen along the trails on the eastern half of the
Center. Two presently flowering in Fern Gully can be seen from the
porch of Price Hall, and several others are located along Grapevine
Loop and on Pioneer Trail. One rather conspicuous individual can be
seen at the boardwalk on Grapevine Loop.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
| The
floral buds of Red Buckeye were featured in an earlier (February 2008)
“on the trails” image but more details of the interesting
flower structure are apparent now that they are fully expanded. This
has been a great year for Buckeye flowers along Fern Gully, Grapevine
Loop and Pioneer Trail. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this
marvelous display. |
|
Common Name: Red Buckeye
Scientific Name: Aesculus pavia
Where to Look:
Throughout the Center but most common in Fern Gully and near the
boardwalk on Grapevine Loop. Another colony occurs around the boardwalk
on the west end of the Center.
Photo and text by Bill Stark |
|
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