Monthly Archives: July 2012

Catnip

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It had been a couple of weeks since I visited this area, and the flora had really changed… so many new things in blossom, and so many formerly flowering plants already browning or sprouting seed pods. There is a big stand of this flower and I’m excited to discover that it’s wild catnip! Must collect a few sprigs for the cats in my life. The most drought-resistant member of the Mint family. According to Illinoiswildflowers, “Apparently, a chemical in the foliage produces a pleasant intoxicating effect in cats, somewhat akin to the effect of marijuana on humans. As a result, plants in residential areas may display signs of damage from cats rolling in the foliage.” Native to Eurasia.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Blue Vervain

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Up to 6 feet tall. Likes a good swamp. Part of a really great wetland restoration project on the Wellesley campus. Native. Vervain family.

Blue Vervain, Swamp Verbena (Verbena hastata)

New England Aster

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There are many kinds of asters. This one is distinguished by how tall it is, with the flowers at my eye level, clasping leaves, and largish flowers, 1 – 2 inches wide. Native. Aster family.

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Bonus picture from the lake (this is the Wellesley College campus):

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed

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Tall with 4 to 5 whorled leaves. I’ll have to go back when they’re open.

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatoriadelphus maculatus)

Update: Here is some in bloom at Longfellow Pond, Late July.

Tansy

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Toxic. Some insects are immune to the toxicity and feed mainly on this plant. This is one with a long record of cultivation as a medicinal herb, starting with ancient Greece. During the middle ages, high doses were used to cause abortions. Also used to ward off insects and for preservative aspects; packed into coffins and used at funerals, placed into bedding. Used in mosquito repellent. Aster family. Native to Europe and Asia.

Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Mugwort, Golden Buttons  (Tanacetum vulgare)

Field Bindweed

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Creates dense mats that choke out other plants. Probably introduced accidentally with crop seed in the 1700s. Native to Europe, Asia. Morning Glory family.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Naked-flowered Tick Trefoil

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Quite a lot of this grows in the shady woodlands at Centennial and at Noanet. Tall spikes over trifoliate compound leaves. Wild turkeys like the seeds. Pea family.

Naked-flowered Tick Trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum)

Great Burdock

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These can get to be 9 feet tall. All parts were used medicinally — leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds. One way to distinguish it from common burdock is that the flowers are on little stalks, whereas in common burdock the flowers cluster directly on the main stem. Aster family. Native to Europe, Asia. Cultivated in Japan because they like to eat it, especially the roots, julienned and braised with a sauce or pickled in sushi, or as a snack chip.

Great Burdock, Beggar’s Buttons (Arcticum lappa)

Bonus: Most of these are purple, but there was also a white one:

Bouncing Bet

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There is a big stand of this at Centennial and I would have called it phlox, but it’s actually called Bouncing Bet or Soapwort. The leaves contain a natural soap. You can lather up with crushed leaves! Must try this. Pink family. Native to Europe.

Bouncing Bet, Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)