Jun-2013
Sambucus racemosa L. is a common shrub growing in deciduous forests. Luke and I hiked Pack Monadnock on our anniversary and saw this shrub near the peak. Stutchberry et al. (2005) found that the most frequent frugivores on the red fruits of this plant are Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. In fact, their study suggests […]
Cypripedium acaule Ait. is a common orchid growing in deciduous forests. Luke and I hiked Pack Monadnock on our anniversary and saw our first Lady’s Slipper Orchids in bloom. You can see that the pollinium (the pollen sac that attaches to bumblebee pollinators) is still in place. Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchids attract their pollinators by […]
I was out in Ponemah Bog again this week and found Sarracenia purpurea L. (purple pitcher plant) in flower. These plants are carnivorous and most people think that the pitchers are the flowers, but they are actually leaves that are modified to capture and digest insects (see Ponemah Bog blog post). Below are pictures of […]
Jun-2013
Acer spicatum Lam. is a common shrub or small tree growing in deciduous forests. Luke and I were on a hike on Pack Monadnock when we saw the plant in bloom. Another common name for this plant is moose maple because it is an important food source for the animals. The plant is in the […]
Jun-2013
Aronia floribunda (Lindl.) Spach is a common shrub in wetlands. I have seen it at Ponemah Bog and Pawtuckaway State Park. This plant is probably a hybrid between Aronia arbutifolia and Aronia melanocarpa. It is most similar in general appearance to A. melanocarpa. A. floribunda has leaf undersides that are very hairy. The plant is in […]