Clinton Community Nature Center

THIS MONTH ON THE TRAILS

September 2007 on the Trails

The magenta fruits of Beautyberry (A.K.A. French Mulberry) are a conspicuous sight to individuals familiar with the woodlands and trails of central Mississippi. The flowers of this shrub and some of its pollinators were featured in an earlier posting in June.

Common Name: Beautyberry
Scientific Name: Callicarpa americana
Where to look: Very abundant on Grapevine Loop and
Pioneer Trail and scattered throughout the Center.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

Dog Day Cicadas are singing their final songs for 2007 in the woods of central Mississippi and spent individuals are a common sight now on the yards, trails and sidewalks of Clinton. Several species are present and the careful listener can probably detect the distinct songs of three or more of these.

Common Name: Dog Day Cicada
Scientific Name: Tibicen pruinosa
Where to look: Throughout the Center; live individuals are still in the canopy, but dead and weakened ones may be found lying on the trails.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

Climbing Hempweed is a vining member of the Sunflower Family. These plants form conspicuous mats covering shrubs and other vegetation in the late summer and they persist through early frosts.

Common Name: Climbing Hempweed
Scientific Name: Mikania scandens
Where to look: On the west end of Pioneer Trail around the “spring site” and near Raccoon Bridge.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

Ironweed is one of the tallest of the late summer flowering plants and is frequently associated with moist areas, although it does also grow in meadow sites. The clusters of small, purple flowers which turn brown and persist through the fall add an interesting component to the landscape.

Common Name: Ironweed
Scientific Name: Vernonia gigantean
Where to look: A nice colony is located on the west end of Raccoon Bridge on Pioneer Trail.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

River Oats is a member of the Grass Family with distinctive, flattened floral and seed heads which hang downward on long slender stems. These plants are attractive members of the woodland understory and are often associated with streamside or moist habitat.

Common Name: River Oats
Scientific Name: Uniola latifolia
Where to look: Common along the Fern Gully trail and also Grapevine Loop along the boardwalk.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

Tropical Milkweed is an introduced species often used as an ornamental in this area because of its attractive flowers and importance as a butterfly attractant. The flowers are bright yellow and orange and these attract fall Monarch migrants and the leaves are also eaten by Monarch larvae. Another of the Milkweed herbivores, the large orange and black Milkweed Bug (see May On the Trail images) is present on the flowers of this plant.

Common Name: Tropical Milkweed or Blood Flower
Scientific Name: Asclepias curassavica
Where to look: Several plants are present near the greenhouse.
Photo and text by Bill Stark

	Clinton Community Nature Center 617 Dunton Road Clinton, Mississippi 39056 601.926.1104 ccnaturecenter@gmail.com