Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Sweet Pepperbush is a deciduous shrub that can grow between 10-13 feet tall. Its wetland indicator status is FAC which means that it is just as likely to be found in wetlands as in uplands. The plant can be found in moist woodlands and in sandy woods along the coast (such as in the NJ Pine Barrens). Sweet Pepperbush can be a dominant shrub of moist forest understories. The plant is part of the White Alder Family of Plants. Sweet Pepperbush in Bloom Sweet Pepperbush is one of the la ..read more

Check out the video below of White-Tailed Deer playing in my backyard ..read more

Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) in Bloom Welcome! Today we are going to discuss Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum). Trout Lily is a member of the Lily family of plants. The Wetland Indicator Status of Trout Lily is FAC which means that the plant is equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands. Trout Lily is one of the most common forest wildflowers in the deciduous forests of NJ. Trout Lily Trout Lily is perennial and an early blooming spring ephemeral and produces solitary yellow flowers. The brown-mottled leaves resemble the coloring of Brook Trout hence where the name Trout Lily ..read more

False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum). False Solomon’s Seal is a part of the Lily Family of Plants. The Wetland Indicator Status of False Solomon’s Seal is FACU which means that most of the time you will find this plant growing in uplands. The plant’s preferred habitat is partial shade and in deep, soft, and moist soils. False Solomon’s Seal is a native perennial, meaning that it comes back every year. The plant grows from 3-5 inches tall. The plant grows from a rhizome. False Solomon’s Seal in Bloom Fal ..read more

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss the mighty Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). The Tulip Tree is the tallest (and some might say the most beautiful) hardwood tree in the eastern forest which sometimes earn them the nickname ‘The Redwoods of the East’. The trees can obtain heights up to 200 feet but usually they are around 100 feet. The trunk of the tree grows very straight and usually does not have any branches until about 80-100 feet. The tree is very fast growing and can live up to 500 years. Tulip Tree is part of the Magnolia family of plants ..read more

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Virginia Creeper is a native perennial woody vine native to the eastern United States and is a member of the Grape family of plants. The wetland indicator status for the vine is FACU which means which means that while the plant is usually found in uplands it may be found in freshwater wetlands on occasion. Virginia Creeper Leafing Out in Early Spring Virginia Creeper is often confused with Poison Ivy and usually grows where Poison Ivy is found. The dif ..read more

Great Blue Heron – the Pond – Central Park NYC ..read more

Fringed Polygala (Polygaloides paucifolia) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss Fringed Polygala (Polygaloides paucifolia). Fringed Polygala is part of the Milkwort family of plants. The plant’s wetland indicator status is FACU which means that while the it is usually found in uplands it may be found in freshwater wetlands on occasion. The ‘Gala’ in ‘Polygala’ means “milk” in Greek. It was once thought that Cows that ate Fringed Polygala would produce more milk. Fringed Polygala Leaves The egg shaped leaves are evergreen and turn bronze red in winter. Fringed Polygala is peren ..read more

Dutchman Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) Welcome! Today we are going to discuss Dutchman Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria). Dutchman Breeches is a member of the Poppy family of plants. The plant grows in neutral to slightly acid soil usually in rocky conditions. The flower is a true spring ephemeral and flowers between April and May every year. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators of this interesting plant. Dutchman Breeches in bloom The white flowers with a yellow tip do indeed look like old fashioned breeches hung to dry. The flowers are on a leafless stalk which can grow to heights of 5-9 inc ..read more

Vultures flying on a windy day ..read more