These are very showy right now. Native to the Americas. This part is called a spore-bearing frond. This kind of fern is considered a living fossil because it occurs in the geologic record 75 million years ago.
Cinnmon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Bonus picture: Lucy said, she always has to wait for me to take pictures; maybe I could wait a little bit while she checks for critters in this stump…
Yarrow is a medicinal herb. Used to treat cramping muscles, reducing fever or “help with relaxing.” “In antiquity, yarrow was known as herbal militaris,” for its use staunching bleeding from wounds. It is an astringent. Note the feathery leaves. Has a strong sweet scent. Family Asteraceae, native to North America.
Yarrow, Nosebleed plant, devil’s nettle, soldier’s woundwort (Achillea millefolium)
Has a berry that changes from green to yellow to orange to red when fully ripe. The berry is poison to humans and livestock, but edible for birds! The foliage is also poisonous to humans. When I was a little kid, this was growing in the backyard where I played. It must have been dramatically impressed on me that it was DEADLY POISON, because I’ve always had a sense of respect for its power, a viper in the domestic landscape. In the potato genus Solanum. Invasive, native to Europe and Asia.
Bittersweet Nightshade, Felonwood, Poisonberry (Solanum dulcamara)
Was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1866 as rootstock for ornamental roses. Then was widely used as living fences, for erosion control, etc. til it became considered a pest in natural ecosystems. Hm. Designated a noxious weed in several states. The fruits (hips) are eaten by many kinds of birds. Beautiful.
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
I have already noted Common Cinquefoil growing all over the place— it has leaves similar to wild strawberry. This variety has spiky leaves and is less trailing. The leaves are silvery on the underside. Flowering time June to September, so it’s a little early. Rose family. Origin: Eurasia.
Silvery Cinquefoil (Potentilla argentea)
I originally identified this as maple-leaved viburnum, but with further research, it’s looking like this is High Bush Cranberry — based on the size (and shape) of the flowers relative to the leaves. We’ll know for sure in the fall — cranberries will have edible red fruit and the viburnum will have purple black fruit. This is growing everywhere at Centennial. A low shrub. Native to North America, and not a true cranberry, but a species of viburnum.
High Bush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus)
I always thought this was called Heart’s Ease. I was wrong! This is common around this area: Lady’s Thumb. The foliage is peppery and bitter so small mammals don’t eat it, but waterbirds and songbirds like the seeds. Buckwheat family.
Lady’s Thumb, Redleg (Polygonum persicaria)
I bought this new camera, but when I was walking at Centennial yesterday, I couldn’t figure out how to really get the macro to work. So I got a tutorial from Alert Technophile Aaron and then went back today to pick up what I missed. And here is the first Crownvetch. It’s not a true vetch, it’s a perennial legume. Native to Africa, Asia and Europe. Toxic to horses!
Crown Vetch (Securigera varia)
This was taken by Alert Technophile Aaron, checking out the macro mode on my new camera. White campion… also named the Grave flower in parts of England because they often grow around tombstones. Thought to have arrived in this country mixed in with ship ballast. Pink family.
White Campion, White Cockle (Silene latifolia)
