Happy Families – Apocynaceae to Aristolochiaceae

Posted on November 3, 2024 by WCBC

This winter we’re categorizing plants in our database by family. This week’s post is plants in the Apocynaceae (Dogbane), Aquifoliaceae (Holly), Araceae (Arum), Araliaceae (Ginseng), & Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort) families.

Plants in the Apocynaceae family are mostly perennial herbs or vines with milky sap & opposite or whorled leaves. Members of the Aquifoliaceae family have toothed or spiny leaves & small unisexual flowers that occur on separate male and female plants. Members of the Araceae family have an unusual inflorescence called a spadix, consisting of numerous small flowers borne on a stalk & surrounded by a leaf-like bract called a spathe.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Janice Irwin, Betty Jones, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, & Joe Standaert. Botanical plant names seem to change almost every day, but for now we use those approved by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show.

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Happy Families – Apiaceae (Umbellifers)

Posted on October 27, 2024 by WCBC

This winter we’ll categorize plants in our database by family. umbelletThis week’s post is plants in the Apiaceae (Celery, Parsley, & Carrot) family, also known as umbellifers because their umbels resemble umbrellas. Typically, plants in this family are hollow-stemmed with flowers arranged in a central umbel, which branches again to form a compound umbel consisting of many small umbellets. Some umbellifers are fairly straightforward to identify, but sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between those which have compound leaves. You can find more information about umbellifers in our plant key. Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Richard Holzman, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, & Joe Standaert. Botanical plant names seem to change almost every day, but for now we use those approved by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show.

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Happy Families – Adoxaceae to Anomodontaceae

Posted on October 20, 2024 by WCBC

This winter we’ll categorize plants in our database by family. This week’s post is plants in the Adoxaceae (Moschatel), Acanthaceae (Acanthus),  Agavaceae (Asparagus), Alismataceae (Water-plantain), Anacardiaceae (Cashew or Sumac), Annonaceae (Custard Apple), & Anomodontaceae (Anomodon) families. Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Richard Holzman, Betty Jones, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, Joe Standaert, & Aleta Tisdale. Botanical plant names seem to change almost every day, but for now we use those approved by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show.

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Frying Pan Gap Trail in October

Posted on October 6, 2024 by WCBC

Woulda, shoulda, couldn’t! We hope everyone is doing OK after this incredibly destructive tropical storm and that your access, phone service, water, & power will soon be restored. Friday would have been a perfect day to hike Frying Pan – probably loads of Asters & fall colors! Let’s imagine we were able to hike, since it will probably be a while before we are able to get back up on the Parkway (or anywhere else).  Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.

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Big Ridge Loop – September 20, 2024

Posted on September 23, 2024 by WCBC

Another glorious day on the Parkway. Loads of confusing Asters and Goldenrods! Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name. Photography by Ken Borgfeldt,  Penny Longhurst, & Jim Poling. Click on any picture to zoom.

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