NYGG official botany thread! (image heavy)

[nygreenguy]

It has returned! New year, new season and a new camera! All these can only mean one thing, a new photo thread!


Pinus sylvesteris Scotts Pine. This is one of the easiest pines to identify because its the only one in the western hemisphere where the upper bole is bright orange. Its also the most globally distributed pine in the world and one of the most popular christmas trees in the world!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/DSC_1463.jpg

This is snow on thuja occidentalis northern white-cedar. The hyphen indicates its not a true cedar, although some people mistakenly spell it as "northern whitecedar". Also called arborvitae (from l'arbre de vie"=Tree of life). It is called this because it makes a tea which has high vitamin C which prevented sailors from getting scurvy. It also has over 100 cultivated varieties and can live for 1200+ years.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/DSC_1475.jpg

This is a common lawn weed and a non-native from europe. The genus is veronica. I actually love the way it can make a lawn a beautiful purple and blue.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/speedwell.jpg

[David B]

That last one I would call 'Speedwell'

David

[nygreenguy]

That last one I would call 'Speedwell'

David

Exactly right David. Veronica is the latin genus name. I guess I forgot to mention the speedwell part!

[Notta]

Are those flowers edible? My grandmother & great aunts used to make "candied violets" to decorate cakes, and used all purple ones and the purple & yellow ones.

[nygreenguy]

Are those flowers edible? My grandmother & great aunts used to make "candied violets" to decorate cakes, and used all purple ones and the purple & yellow ones.

Everything is edible once. :)

[Cath B]

It's a while since I looked at your photos nygreenguy.

I'd forgotten how stunning they are.

I love the snow.

[David B]

Are those flowers edible? My grandmother & great aunts used to make "candied violets" to decorate cakes, and used all purple ones and the purple & yellow ones.

I've seen it in bloom already this year, so I'll report back on taste.

Google tells me that the dried leaves were used to make tea in the past, so I'm not worried about the plant being poisonous.

David

[David B]

The leaves of Cuckoo Flower are hot.

Ray Mears recommends the flowers, though.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/dble_photo/102.jpg

[Christina]

Before I post pics, is this thread exempt from the no images rule or should I post links?

[nygreenguy]

Before I post pics, is this thread exempt from the no images rule or should I post links?

I dont think we have the ability to directly upload pics, if thats what youre talking about. I "linked" mine through photobucket.

[Christina]

I know - I was asking if we could use IMG tags instead of URL tags. I'm confused about the policy. I'll post them the way that you did as images but feel free to have me edit them or do it for me if you want URLs instead.

These are the things that I have in bloom now. As usual, I'll get some of the names wrong and you can tell me the right ones : )

Some salvia is still blooming from last winter. I don't know what kind it is but the leaves smell like pineapples.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/salvia.jpg

A few bearded iris are up:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/BeardedIris2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/BeardedIris.jpg

Vinca is in full bloom.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1307.jpg

The redbud tree is just starting and the calla lilies are opening.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1245.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/DSC00392.jpg

So what did I get wrong?

[nygreenguy]

The salvia smells because it is a mint. It is the same genus as sage.

The calla lilly isnt a lilly at all. Its an arum. Zantedeschia elliottiana is the species name. Its the white version of this species. Im not sure where you live, but Id be willing to bet its wet if these grow pretty good on their own.

[Christina]

The callas would take over the world if I let them. Every year I have 20 more than I did the prior year. I've been digging them up and giving them away for ages and I've barely made a dent in them. My cannas do the same thing. I should deadhead them faster but once they pass 6' tall it's hard to get through the jungle of them to do it. I'm not sure if they're spreading by seed or just multiplying.

[nygreenguy]

The callas would take over the world if I let them. Every year I have 20 more than I did the prior year. I've been digging them up and giving them away for ages and I've barely made a dent in them. My cannas do the same thing. I should deadhead them faster but once they pass 6' tall it's hard to get through the jungle of them to do it. I'm not sure if they're spreading by seed or just multiplying.

Its not by seed. They reproduce asexualy by rhizomes. these are underground roods which travel along and pop up a new plant at what are called "nodes"

Same goes for the calla. Many plants are not very good at sex so they rely on cloning themselves to reproduce.

[Christina]

That's what I meant by multiplying. I never know the technical term for anything.

I also inherited several million of these when we bought the place. I'm not sure what they are but someone told me that they were from South Africa and the name starts with a 'c'. They're extremely drought tolerant and spread like crazy.
Do you know what they are?

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/Unknownbulb2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/Unknownbulbs1.jpg

I also have acacia and ceanothus in bloom.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1063.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/0432_3_s-1.jpg

[nygreenguy]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1063.jpg

Hmm...acacia? Ive never known acacia to be herbaceous or have flowers in umbels. Now, Im just going by this picture, but it looks more like yarrow (Achillea filipendulina) to me.

Do the leaves look like this:
http://www.alchemy-works.com/Resources/yarrow_leaf.JPG

or more like:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2341780989_becd21d6e9.jpg?v=0

[Christina]

The leaves look the same. Usually they're trees (or at least as big as trees) but I just grabbed a picture of a sapling at ground level. Everyone here calls them acacia, they bloom with abundant clouds of flowers, lots of people are allergic to them, and they're usually the first sign of spring and bloom in late January. They supposedly aren't native and are considered invasive here. Almost everyone I know hates them but me. That's all I know.

[nygreenguy]

The leaves look the same. Usually they're trees (or at least as big as trees) but I just grabbed a picture of a sapling at ground level. Everyone here calls them acacia, they bloom with abundant clouds of flowers, lots of people are allergic to them, and they're usually the first sign of spring and bloom in late January. They supposedly aren't native and are considered invasive here. Almost everyone I know hates them but me. That's all I know.


Hmm...saplings shouldn't be flowering. The definition of a mature tree is when it is able to flower. Then again, yarrow wouldnt be flowering at this time either. Im honestly perplexed. Those flowers are dead ringers for yarrow. And what do you mean the leaves look the same? Same as what? Which picture: Yeah, there are no native acacias in america. They are mostly in australia and africa.

[Christina]

I probably shouldn't have used the word sapling since that probably implied that I know it's technically a tree. It spreads underground and sends up new ones. By not native I meant that supposedly they aren't native to this part of the coastal California mountains. They're right up there with Eucalyptus as trees that everyone complains about. Oddly enough, I love the smell of both, but Eucalyptus adds to the danger of wildfires here. One of them came within half a mile of my house last summer, but that's a topic for another thread.

For someone with a lot of garden I'm embarrassingly lacking in knowledge about the details. I'm just good at growing things.

[nygreenguy]

I probably shouldn't have used the word sapling since that probably implied that I know it's technically a tree. It spreads underground and sends up new ones. Is that picture recent? Like from last month? I still think it looks like yarrow. A better look at the leaves is what I need!


By not native I meant that supposedly they aren't native to this part of the coastal California mountains. They are not native to the states at all! They're right up there with Eucalyptus as trees that everyone complains about. Oddly enough, I love the smell of both, but Eucalyptus adds to the danger of wildfires here. One of them came within half a mile of my house last summer, but that's a topic for another thread. Yeah, eucalyptus are pretty much giant oil tanks.

For someone with a lot of garden I'm embarrassingly lacking in knowledge about the details. I'm just good at growing things. Hey, im the opposite. I know a lot but cant keep anything alive!

[Cath B]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1063.jpg



Looks like Golden Yarrow Achillea filipendulina to me too.

I've got some in my garden.

[Cath B]

Some salvia is still blooming from last winter. I don't know what kind it is but the leaves smell like pineapples.



Are the leaves variegated?

Pineapple mint has variegated leaves.

[Christina]

I really wish that I had posted a picture of a big mass of them. They're at least 20 feet high and almost as wide when they're full grown. I'll take a closeup of leaves and some larger ones if it ever stops raining. If you google 'acacia' and go straight to images there are dozens of pictures of them. I have yarrow too, but it's a regular sized perennial, not a forest.

ETA: Talk about embarrassing. I grabbed the wrong picture and that's the yellow yarrow. Never mind. I'll go back to the lounge now. :o

[nygreenguy]

Are the leaves variegated?

Pineapple mint has variegated leaves.

She had pictures, it was salvia. Lots of plants smell like pineapple, and most plants in the mint family have great smells! However, the best pineapple smell comes from pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) which is actually in the aster family.

I really wish that I had posted a picture of a big mass of them. They're at least 20 feet high and almost as wide when they're full grown. I'll take a closeup of leaves and some larger ones if it ever stops raining. If you google 'acacia' and go straight to images there are dozens of pictures of them. I have yarrow too, but it's a regular sized perennial, not a forest.

I agree that the flowers look similar, but its the flower arrangement that doesnt seem "acacia" like. See, the picture you posted has flowers arranged in an umbel or compound umbel.
http://content.answers.com/main/content/img/Gardeners/f0263.jpg

Now, from what I remember, and have read, acacia flowers inflorescence are spikes:
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp6/acacia-beckleri500.jpg

or globular:
http://www.anbg.gov.au/acacia/acacia-cultriformis.jpg


This is what I think it looks like:
http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/a_b/achillea_moonshine.jpg

But, without a closer pic I really cant say!



awww, dont go away! I love your pics!

[Christina]

OK, but I may start a gardening thread in the Lounge anyway so as not to derail this one.

I call this an African Daisy, but I don't know what it is for sure. It's starting to bloom now too.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/res1.jpg

I saw these growing somewhere near Zion park in Utah and I have no idea what they are. It was blooming in early May.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/BlueFlowers.jpg

This was right across from it. The full size picture has interesting texture.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/lichen.jpg

[Christina]

I saw this one in the same area:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/Vacation2006-4-3000037.jpg

[Brianna]

Come summer, I have this weird plant growing in my yard, I'll have you try to id it. it is probably just a weed.

[nygreenguy]

^ weeds are in the eye of the beholder. Seriously. A weed is only something growing where you dont want it too.

[nygreenguy]

Next is one of my favorite flowers, the Mayapple or mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum). The fruit is delicious when ripe, but is unripe is HIGHLY toxic. You would be on the toilet for days.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/100_0523.jpg

Now, a a flowering tree, flowering dogwood to be exact (Cornus florida) Florida actually means flowering. Now, those big white things you see are NOT petals! The dogwood tree is apetalous! (without petals). Those are called "bracts". They are modified leaves. The flowers are those tiny structures in the middle.
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/100_0655.jpg

Heres the flowers!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/P1010110.jpg

The next flower is a popular favorite, the grand white trillium (Trillium grandiflora) Trillium is a fitting name because this plant has 3 "leaves", 3 petals, 3 sepals, 3 carpels and 3 pistils! When this plant seeds, the seeds have a little sweet nugget attached to them that ants love. Ants carry them back to their nest, eat the nugget and then the seed can grow because the ants planted it!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/P1010044.jpg

[Christina]

I thought that they were petals until you told me last spring. Once you pointed it out I could see the difference.

Here's one of mine:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/Dogwood1.jpg


There's an old abandoned cabin way back on my property that no one has lived in for at least 75 years if not more and I found a few of these within about 100 yards of it. I haven't noticed them anywhere else. Do you think that they're descendants of bulbs that were planted back then or do they look like an iris that would grow in the wild? They have a very dry papery texture and they're almost transparent when held up to the light.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1490.jpg


The (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/100_1495.jpg) cabin (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/100_1493.jpg) is pretty interesting but I'll just post links since it has nothing to do with botany.

[nygreenguy]

I thought that they were petals until you told me last spring. Once you pointed it out I could see the difference. Its the same for poinsettia. They dont have leaves either!




There's an old abandoned cabin way back on my property that no one has lived in for at least 75 years if not more and I found a few of these within about 100 yards of it. I haven't noticed them anywhere else. Do you think that they're descendants of bulbs that were planted back then or do they look like an iris that would grow in the wild? They have a very dry papery texture and they're almost transparent when held up to the light.



Hmm...firstly, I don't think this is a bulb bearing iris. I think this is a rhizomatous iris. And California has a few irises that look just like that! Since I'm only familiar with eastern irises, I cant exactly tell which one that is without a picture of the flower from the side.

Either way, its a great picture! I cried at the first iris I saw.

[nygreenguy]

Went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden when I was in the city. I got a few good pics. I was awfully sick (still am) so I didnt take as many as I wanted and I only had my crappy kodak so they are not even that great, ive uploaded them already, ill post them asap.

[nygreenguy]

Here are some pics of a few of the indoor things:


Camellia japonica. This is a relative of one of the most popular plants in the world,Camellia sinensis, where our black, green and white teas come from!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Brooklyn Botanical Garden/100_2057.jpg

This is here is called Meriana Bugle-lilly. The name is hyphenated because its not a true lilly but actually an iris. Watsonia meriana

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Brooklyn Botanical Garden/100_2054.jpg

The next one is a real treat. It is the Bird of Paradise Flower. Strelitzia reginae. Now, here's what is really neat, the green thing at the bottom is the spathe. If you have ever seen a jack-in-the-pulpit, it is the leaf (bract) that covers where the flowers emerge (spadix). Now, what you are looking at is one single flower. The orange parts are the sepals (the 1st whorl of a plant) and the purple/blue structures are the petals (2nd whorl). Now, those tips at the ends of the petals are super sticky because they lead to a nectary. (yes, I touched and tasted it!) When the bird is gobbling down, its feet push the petals open and the bird ends up standing in the pollen. Hopefully, the next plant it gobbles down on has the stigmas ready to go to receive the pollen!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Brooklyn Botanical Garden/100_2061.jpg

[Christina]

Those are beautiful. My camellia is one of the only plants that I have trouble with getting to bloom regularly. This year I'm trying a new food and hopefully that will help. I have a bird of paradise too but it's in a big pot so that I can move it if it gets too cold.

[David B]

I can't match the photography of some others, both because of lack of talent and the limitations of using the still facility on a camcorder.

However, this is one of my favourite spring flowers, a wood anemone.

Even using a camcorder still, it's amazing what detail can be seen.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/dble_photo/bosherstonjan2009005.jpg

David

[nygreenguy]

ooohh...that is pretty! Our flowers are about a month behind yours at least!

[nygreenguy]

Goodness! The snowdrops,winter aconites and crocus are in full bloom! Im gonna go do some collecting!

[nygreenguy]

Here's some pollen. The first is Zamia, a cycad.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/zamiacontrolapril3.jpg

Salix or willow

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/willow15april2.jpg

Pinus taeda

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/pinecontrolapril3.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/pine50april2.jpg

Pine looks like mickey mouse because of the air filled sacs (sacci).

[Oolon Colluphid]

What're the sacci for?

[nygreenguy]

What're the sacci for?

Sorry Katie was rushing me out of the house! To get to the egg, the pollen must pass through a small opening called the micropyle. Well, at the micropyle the female cone forms a drop of liquid called a pollination drop. Now, the cone can be either erect or pendulous. If erect, the saccate pollen will float, if pendulous it will float through and make it inside! Non saccate pollen will do just the opposite. This helps to ensure the right pollen makes it into the female cone.

[Oolon Colluphid]

Thanks! So cool! My initial thought was floating, but I couldn't see how water would come into it.

[Monad]

OK, but I may start a gardening thread in the Lounge anyway so as not to derail this one.

I call this an African Daisy, but I don't know what it is for sure. It's starting to bloom now too.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/res1.jpg

I saw these growing somewhere near Zion park in Utah and I have no idea what they are. It was blooming in early May.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/BlueFlowers.jpg

The first one is an Osteospermum (Osteospermum ecklonis). I grow it too (very hardy)

The blue one is clearly a species of flax (Linum) - my guess would be Linum lewisii from the area.

btw your Salvia was Salvia elegans

and your tough drought lover looks to me like a Watsonia but not sure of the species

[Monad]

The salvia smells because it is a mint. It is the same genus as sage.

The calla lilly isnt a lilly at all. Its an arum. Zantedeschia elliottiana is the species name. Its the white version of this species. Im not sure where you live, but Id be willing to bet its wet if these grow pretty good on their own.

Are you sure it's not Zantedeschia aethiopica? Elliottiana has spotted leaves and is much less hardy - it's usually aethiopica that naturalises itself in favourable and moist areas.

[Zygote]

There's an old abandoned cabin way back on my property that no one has lived in for at least 75 years if not more and I found a few of these within about 100 yards of it. I haven't noticed them anywhere else. Do you think that they're descendants of bulbs that were planted back then or do they look like an iris that would grow in the wild? They have a very dry papery texture and they're almost transparent when held up to the light.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/Flowers/100_1490.jpg


The (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/100_1495.jpg) cabin (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/KGpictures/100_1493.jpg) is pretty interesting but I'll just post links since it has nothing to do with botany.

It looks like a Douglas Iris, Iris douglasii, that is a California native. If it's near an old cabin, it could have been moved there by previous residents. It is fairly drought tolerant when well established - I've seen it growing on jeep roads on a dry hillside in Mendocino County - but it prefers things a bit shady and moist.

[nygreenguy]

The salvia smells because it is a mint. It is the same genus as sage.

The calla lilly isnt a lilly at all. Its an arum. Zantedeschia elliottiana is the species name. Its the white version of this species. Im not sure where you live, but Id be willing to bet its wet if these grow pretty good on their own.

Are you sure it's not Zantedeschia aethiopica? Elliottiana has spotted leaves and is much less hardy - it's usually aethiopica that naturalises itself in favourable and moist areas.

Could be. I thought I saw spotted leaves, but I think after re-looking it may be because of rain/dew.

[nygreenguy]

Well, I have some early spring wildflowers:

Galanthus nivalis Snowdrops

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1696.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1701.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1706.jpg

Eranthis hyemalis Winter aconite. This plant actually grows from a tuber!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1671.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1693.jpg

And who doesnt love crocus! Crocus vernus. This flower is in the iris family, Iridaceae. (family names are not italicized or underlined because they are english. Species and genus are latin, so they should be italicized/underlined)

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1705.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1660.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/Cemetary%20pics/DSC_1659.jpg

[Berthold]

In the riverbank forest known by the name of Lobau, a quite impressive variety of birch is very abundant:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u173/Berthold_photos/Birken2.jpg

The trunks of such old specimens may be 1 to 2 feet in diameter.

The young leaves are covered with grey felt all over:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u173/Berthold_photos/Birkenbl1.jpg

When they mature, the upper side gets dark green and shiny.

The transition between older and younger bark on the trunk is rather abrupt:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u173/Berthold_photos/Birkenstamm.jpg

They are mentioned on some sites as Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii , but the species and this subspecies are apparently quite variable.

[nygreenguy]

Well, I tooks some more pics in the lab today. The larix cones are just starting to pollinate so I gathered some and dissected them!


This is one scale (appx .5mm) off the male cone. It is the sporangium, and those are the pollen falling out.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/larixmicrosporangiumopen.jpg

And this is larix pollen at 400X

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/larixpollen40x.jpg

And these are the leaves starting to emerge

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/larixleavesemerging.jpg

[nygreenguy]

Went out yesterday and good some good picks of the first native spring ephemerals.

The first one is bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. Named so because of the red liquid that oozes out of the root.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1871-1.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1814.jpg

Trout lilly Erythronium americanum

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1820.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1828.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1820.jpg

Cutleaf toothwort,a mustard Dentaria laciniata

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1821.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1823.jpg

Wild ginger Asarum canadense

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1834.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1833.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1831.jpg

Purple trillium, Trillium erectum

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1859.jpg

this is the same one, but the white variety I took last year:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Beaver%20Lake/100_0484.jpg

Common hepatica , Hepatica nobilis . Although now it looks like they are clumping it into the genus Anemone and calling it Anemone hepatica but Im not so sure Id rush out to update your books just yet...

Hepatica is latin for liver and its named so because of the leaves 3 lobes which were not yet mature when I took these pics.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1869.jpg

Broadleaf sedge Carex platyphylla

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Clark%20Reservation%20State%20Park/DSC_1841.jpg

[Monad]

Some of my favourite flowers there. I have 2 species of Hepatica (nobilis and a hybrid x ballardii - that one is twice as vigorous than the species and I have a huge clump of it) in my own garden and although I have not grown Sanguinaria I used to have its close relative Eomecon chionantha in my old garden (unfortunately had to leave it behind when I moved house) - here's a pic of that plant, you can see the similarities:

http://www.calfloranursery.com/images/pics/e_f/eomecon_chionantha.jpg

I think Erythroniums are also lovely - I used to grow dens canis (several varieties) as well as a clump of revolutum in that garden too. Not tried to grow a Trillium though but I know several people who have them. In my new garden I can only grow plants in pots so Eomecon would not take to that - it has a running rhizome and doesn't like disturbance. Might try some Erythroniums in pots though - if Hepaticas can take to it they should do fine.

[nygreenguy]

Not tried to grow a Trillium though but I know several people who have them. In my new garden I can only grow plants in pots so Eomecon would not take to that - it has a running rhizome and doesn't like disturbance. Might try some Erythroniums in pots though - if Hepaticas can take to it they should do fine.
I know a lot of these spring plants can be hard to propagate because of their reliance on mycorrhizae. Sometimes using forest soil instead of potting soil can help.

[Monad]

I always do (easy to make your own leaf mould). I've heard of people growing Eomecon in planters but it would take a big one I think as it likes a lot of space. Lovely plant though with really nice leaves as well as pretty flowers. The problem with Trout lilies in pots is more to do with the fact that they are glacier melt zone plants as a rule and don't like to dry out even for a short while in the growing season but at other times they can rot if too wet.

[David B]

I'm very poor at tree identification

Any idea what these, taken on walk today, are?

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/dble_photo/queensferryandgarden032.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp275/dble_photo/queensferryandgarden033.jpg

David

[Zygote]

The bottom one looks like it could be ocean spray, Holodiscus discolor, although the flower clusters are usually whiter, changing to brown as they age.

The top one is hard to tell. It appears to be just leafing out, so is probably deciduous, but I can't make out the leaf shape. Where were these taken? I see California poppies, something that looks like a blackberry bramble, and something that might possibly be a live oak.

[David B]

They were taken in Scotland, very near the Forth Bridge.

David

[nygreenguy]

The bottom one looks like it could be ocean spray, Holodiscus discolor, although the flower clusters are usually whiter, changing to brown as they age.
No way. Look at the leaves. Way too big, and I think they are compound.

Dave, if you want something identified, we need close ups! Flowers, leaves, buds!

[nygreenguy]

The next plant is known to many north easters as a gum (Clark's) Teaberry. Gaultheria procumbens Its wintergreen flavor comes from methyl salicylate. The main function of this ester is to ward off herbivores. While we may love mint, bugs hate it! Procumbens means prostrate, or to lie flat. I think this is due to the low nature of the plant and the creeping rhizomes.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1936.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1937.jpg

Caltha palustris Marsh marigold. Any time you see palustris it means "of the swamp/water".

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1922.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1966.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1909.jpg

Next is goldthread, Coptis trifolia. The common name come from the gold colored root which is allegedly a "cure all". I will attest to its effectiveness as a mouth analgesic. When my tooth was infected, chewing on these worked better than 4 advil! Trifolia means just what it sounds like, 3 leaves!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1910.jpg

Acer rubrum , red maple. This tree is a male because the species is dioecious. di=2 ecious= house. This is the first maple to fruit in the spring!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1911.jpg

Equisetum arvense, common horsetail or field horsetail. This is a seedless vascular plant, more related to ferns than anything else. arv= field nse= of the.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1915.jpg

This little red fruit belongs to partridgeberry Mitchela repens. Now, dont confuse the teaberry leaves with the mitchela leaves. Mitchela leaves are the 2 small leaves which are in pairs. repen = creeping because this plant grows along the ground.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_1993.jpg

[nygreenguy]

I hope everyone likes the latin translation. Ive learned that being able to decipher the names not only makes them easier to remember, but it also helps to identify the plant because it (often, but not always) gives characteristics.

[Brianna]

I hope everyone likes the latin translation. Ive learned that being able to decipher the names not only makes them easier to remember, but it also helps to identify the plant because it (often, but not always) gives characteristics.

I like knowing the latin and then what everyone else calls it. :)

[nygreenguy]

I hope everyone likes the latin translation. Ive learned that being able to decipher the names not only makes them easier to remember, but it also helps to identify the plant because it (often, but not always) gives characteristics.

I like knowing the latin and then what everyone else calls it. :)

Well, I can only tell you the common name that I call it! Common names can be regional, national, etc!!! This is why the latin is the best. This reminds me when I was in cranberry lake, a group of russian students came over, and one was a botanist. While her english was awful, we found we could speak in plant latin together!

[Brianna]

I hope everyone likes the latin translation. Ive learned that being able to decipher the names not only makes them easier to remember, but it also helps to identify the plant because it (often, but not always) gives characteristics.

I like knowing the latin and then what everyone else calls it. :)

Well, I can only tell you the common name that I call it! Common names can be regional, national, etc!!! This is why the latin is the best. This reminds me when I was in cranberry lake, a group of russian students came over, and one was a botanist. While her english was awful, we found we could speak in plant latin together!

I am well aware of this. That is why I like knowing the latin. Melissa is my favorite. Do you know her? :D

[Berthold]

Even in Chinese texts the binary names are written out as we know them. :)

[nygreenguy]

Ok, so I already have about 50 new pics to post, but I havent had the time. (finals, ugh...)

However, Im going to the Adirondacks next week (for the new job) so I hope to have HUNDREDS more!!!!!!

[nygreenguy]

A 180 degree panorama of the lake in the ADK's we were at. At the far left you see Mt. Goodnow with the 50' firetower I hiked the last day! The picture is fucking huge.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Huntington/Panorama1.jpg

this one is a bit smaller:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/Huntington/Panorama1-1.jpg

[Monad]

Beautiful

[nygreenguy]

It sure was! And it turns out photoshop it pretty good at making these panoramas!

[nygreenguy]

dang, I should show you all some distance tree ID using this pic as well!

[nygreenguy]

Rhodora Rhododendron canadense
meaning "tree rose from canada"

Grows in wet areas and the flowers often appear before the leaves.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2593.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2601.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2611.jpg

Aralia nuducaulis Wild Sarsaparilla
meaning "naked stem" because the flowering stalk is separate from the vegetative stalk.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2643.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2629.jpg

Bluebead lilly; Yellow Clintonia Clintonia borealis
Clintonia, after former governor Clinton of New York and borealis meaning northern.
This is one plant where the fruit may be prettier than the flowers!

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2645.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2641.jpg

Swamp buttercup Ranunculus hispidus (formerly Ranunculus septertrionalis)
Meaning: The genus ranunculus means medicinal plant. I find this a bit ironic as many buttercups are highly toxic. Septertrionalis means "northern" and hispidus means "hairy". Hispid is also a type of hair meaning "stiff" or "bristly". This is ironic, because it doesnt really have many hairs at all, well none I would call "hispid"

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2657.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2661.jpg

One of the big defining characteristics of swamp buttercup (other than if you see it you are probably standing in water) is that its leaflets are stalked.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2666.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2668.jpg

[Monad]

Swamp buttercup Ranunculus hispidus (formerly Ranunculus septertrionalis)
Meaning: The genus ranunculus means medicinal plant. I find this a bit ironic as many buttercups are highly toxic. Septertrionalis means "northern" and hispidus means "hairy". Hispid is also a type of hair meaning "stiff" or "bristly". This is ironic, because it doesnt really have many hairs at all, well none I would call "hispid"

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2657.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2661.jpg

One of the big defining characteristics of swamp buttercup (other than if you see it you are probably standing in water) is that its leaflets are stalked.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2666.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/swamp/DSC_2668.jpg

It should be pretty hairy:

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Ranunculus_hispidus_calyx.jpg

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Ranunculus_hispidus_stem.jpg

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Ranunculus_hispidus_page.html

the leaves look more pointed too in your photo - judging by the photos from the above site they should be blunter:

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Ranunculus_hispidus_plant.jpg

(maybe there is some regional variation??)


eta - ah I see, there is some considerable variation in the pubescence of leaves/stems and leaf shape - the plant formerly known as R. septertrionalis is one such variation - less hairy and with more pointed leaves but adsorbed into the R.hispidus complex by vitue of the defining characteristics you mentioned

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Ranunculus_septentrionalis_page.html

interesting

[nygreenguy]

Yep, which is a real issue. We also need to remember than many plants are named by the person who discovered them, but that person hasnt necessarily seen the entire range of the plants characteristics. One good example is picea mariana. Mariana means "of maryland" but theres about 6 of these in maryland! So, even the botanical names dont make sense sometimes. This usually becomes especially apparent when we have the merges and changes in taxonomy like we do for the swamp buttercup.

This is also why keys are far superior to plant identification than pictures, pictures are often misleading and only encompass that single individual. I hope to have multiple individuals with the range of morphological characteristics on my website.

[Monad]

Yep, which is a real issue. We also need to remember than many plants are named by the person who discovered them, but that person hasnt necessarily seen the entire range of the plants characteristics. One good example is picea mariana. Mariana means "of maryland" but theres about 6 of these in maryland! So, even the botanical names dont make sense sometimes. This usually becomes especially apparent when we have the merges and changes in taxonomy like we do for the swamp buttercup.

This is also why keys are far superior to plant identification than pictures, pictures are often misleading and only encompass that single individual. I hope to have multiple individuals with the range of morphological characteristics on my website.

Couldn't agree more - this is what I keep trying to drum into my anatomy students who don't always get why a drawing can sometimes be more representative of an anatomical feature than a photo (or even a dissection)

(of course this is also the issue with stupid creationists and anatomical drawings of embryological features)

[nygreenguy]

Couldn't agree more - this is what I keep trying to drum into my anatomy students who don't always get why a drawing can sometimes be more representative of an anatomical feature than a photo (or even a dissection)

(of course this is also the issue with stupid creationists and anatomical drawings of embryological features)

Oh man, I LOVE the old botany drawing that naturalists used to do. Pictures are simply meant to be pretty, many of these illustrations are for the purpose of identification (and they also tend to be very attractive as well).

[Monad]

Me too. I think it's interesting how many biologists were encouraged to see scientific drawing as necessary tool. To me a good drawing is very much like a dissection, analysis and synthesis all in one process - you can reveal hidden layers, highlight key or representative features, display multiple perspectives and indeed imho portray reality in a far more "realistic" way than superficial appearance alone.

[nygreenguy]

At our school we have to take EFB 220 @ cranberry lake in the Adirondacks and 1/3 of our grade is a nature journal that we have to keep for the full 3 weeks. And just like you said it really makes the students get "into" their specimen. When you draw something you really have to look close, spend time, examine the specimen.

This is also why I LOVE dissecting plants! This is what we do in systematic botany lab. You learn everything about those plants then!

And it FRUSTRATES me to know end when Im teaching dendro lab, and we walk up to a tree and quiz the students practically no one goes UP to the tree, they wont grab branches, look closely at the leaves, etc.. But when Im done with them that habit is broken. :)

[Monad]

lol - I really annoy some of my serious walker friends because they want to walk when I want to stop and look at every flower, leaf, twig, bird and bug, turn over rocks and logs, turn flowers up to see the nectaries etc :)

[nygreenguy]

^ Totally. Like the cliche goes, its not the destination, but the journey.

But Katie hates even walking in the city with me because Ill look at everything.

[nygreenguy]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/new/Picture098.jpg
Heart-leaved Twayblade
Listera cordata


http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/new/Picture088.jpg
Corallorhiza trifida
early coral root

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/new/Picture148.jpg
Yellow Lady's-slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb138/nygreenguy/new/Picture173.jpg
Yellow Lady's-slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum