Welcome
To all those interested in the natural world. Please add your sightings.
In the woods we return to reason and faith-Emerson
Best-Lynn
In the woods we return to reason and faith-Emerson
Best-Lynn
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Indian Cucumber-root, Golden Ragwort, Northern Blue Flag Iris
Indian Cucumber-root flowers are greenish-yellow with recurved petals and brownish-red stamens. The plant has an edible root that tastes similar to cucumber.
Golden Ragwort or Golden Goundsel thrives in shady, moist environments such as woodlands, stream banks and bogs.
Northern Blue Flag Iris thrives in wet areas, including marshes, stream sides and pond margins.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Common Stitchwort, Cheeseweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow
Stellaria graminea - Common Stitchwort, Lesser Stitchwort, is in the pink family. It has white, star-shaped flowers and grass-like leaves.
Cheeseweed or Dwarf Mallow is a herbaceous plant found in disturbed areas like roadsides or fields.
Ox-eye Daisy features white ray petals surrounding a yellow disk center.
Yarrow features flat-topped clusters of small, white to pinkish flowers and feathery leaves.
Monday, May 25, 2026
Dwarf Dandelion, Glossy Buckthorn, Lady's Slipper
Virginia Dwarf-dandelion resembles a miniature common dandelion but has smaller flowerheads. It grows in sandy, dry or rocky soils in open areas.
Glossy Buckthorn's flowers are small, five petaled and white. It grows in small clusters. Very invasive plant.
Pink Lady's Slipper has a single, large, pouch-shaped pink flower that looks like a slipper or moccasin. Usually found under pines or oak trees. It is pollinated by bumblebees that enter through a slit in the front of the pouch.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Spatterdock, Ragwort
Spatterdock, yellow water-lily, is an aquatic perennail with heart shaped floating leaves.
Ragwort is a daisy-like perennial that can be harmful to livestock but beneficial to pollinators.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Ragged Robin, Sleepy Catchfly, Tower Mustard, Goat's Beard
Ragged Robin can be found along I 91. The petals are deeply cut.
Sleepy Catchfly features small, solitary flowers. The stems are sticky.
Rising above fields is Tower Mustard which produces small, creamy-white or pale yellow flowers.
Goat's Beard or Yellow Salisfy is just beginning to open. It's found on roadsides and disturbed areas.
Friday, May 22, 2026
A whole bunch of May's showcase
Spiderwort
Common Speedwell
Hooked Crowfoot
Virginia Waterleaf
Black Swallow-wort
Feathery False Solomon's Seal
Solomon's Seal
Canada Mayflower
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Pale Corydalis, Wild Lupine, Blue Flax, Bunchberry
Pale Corydalis or Rock Harlequin is distinctive for its pink tubular flowers with bright yellow tips.
Wild Lupine have spiky, pea-like flower clusters.
Blue Flax thrives in full sun and is well suited for dry areas and poor soil.
Bunchberry dogwood have what seem to be white petals which are actually bracts (modified leaves) that surround a central cluster of tiny, yellowish-green flowers.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Field Hawkweed, One-flowered Cancer-root, Grove Sandwort
Field Hawkweed is found in fields, meadows and disturbed areas. Like dandelions the flowers are made up of many small ray flowers.
One flowered Cancer-root is also called One-flowered Broomrape. It is a totally parasitic and relies on the roots of host plants like goldenrod.
Grove Sandwort is found in moist areas. It is short and small.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Blue-eyed Grass, Herb Robert, Pineapple Weed
Blue-eyed Grass is a member of the iris family rather than a true grass.
Herb-Robert is a native geranium. It's also called Red Robin or Stinking Bob.
Pineapple Weed has a flower head that is composed of tiny greenish-yellow disc flowers without surrounding petals. If you crush the leaves or flowers they emit a sweet pineapple odor.
Monday, May 18, 2026
Mayapple, Tall Buttercup, Hoary Alyssum, Fringed Polygala, White Campion
Mayapple is a member of the barberry family. A solitary flower is found in between leaves.
Tall Buttercup shines among all the flowers.
Hoary Alyssum has four white petals that are deeply cleft giving them the appearance of having eight petals.
Fringed Polygala is also called Gaywings. They are low-growing and spread through underground stems to form small colonies.
White Campion has a white flower on a purple, balloon-like structure which is the calyx.
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