Of scattering abroad...

This morning I had a little bit of time free after giving a program at Fancher Elementary.  I hadn't been out in the woods for a few days do I decided to head to Chipp-A-Waters Park and walk the trails.  I didn't have plan, I just wanted to get outdoors and take a few pictures.  Almost immediately I noticed a Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) with a few seeds still hanging to its dried out pods and nearby was Bitter Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) with its flattened seeds.  When I a bit further I noticed the fluffy seeds of a Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and a Boxelder's (Acer negundo) winged samara.  At that point I had an idea - how many different fruits, seeds, or nuts could I find?

#1 - Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

#2 - Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)

#3 - Bitter Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

#4 - Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

#5 - Boxelder (Acer negundo)

#6 Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota)

#7 - Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

#8 - Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.)

#9 - Common Burdock (Arctium minus)

#10 - Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

#11 - Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.)

#12 - Aster (Symphyotrichum sp.)

#13 - Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendrom radicans)

#14 Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

#15 - Orange-fruited Horse-Gentian (Triosteum aurantiacum)

#16 - Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

#17 - Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

#18 - American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia)

#19 - Black Locust (Robina pseudoacacia)

I spent barely thirty minutes in the park.  My first photograph was taken at 10:46AM and my final photograph was at 11:16AM.  Of the nineteen species that I photographed, seven are not native to Michigan.  Of those seven, five are considered invasive species.  To say that Chipp-A-Waters Park has an invasive species problem would be an understatement.  Birds readily consume the fruit of Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, and Japanese Barberry helping the species spread further.  Eventually, if nothing is done to stop their spread the wooded areas at Chipp-A-Waters Park will be completely overgrown with these species and many of the native species found there now will be choked out.

Is the situation hopeless?  No, of course not.  However it will take planning and effort to reduce and control the invasive species and encourage the native species found there.  

Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 through #193

Yesterday (07 July), I added seven species to my Wildflowers of 2016 list.  Of those seven species, two were native and the other five were introduced from Europe.  The first three species were photographed at Chipp-A-Waters Park and the final four were photographed at Mill Pond park.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

My first species of the day was found in the open field near the Girl Scout cabin at Chipp-A-Waters Park.  Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) likes dry habitats such as fields and roadsides.  A native of Europe, it has naturalized across most of North America with the exception of the Canadian Arctic territories.  This species is often very conspicuous, growing as much as 7 feet tall.  It has a flowering stalk that can be up to 2 feet long and leaves that can be 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.

Common Mullein - at 2 feet tall this is actually a small example

Also known as Flannel Plant, Common Mullein is a biennial plant.  In its first year, it produces a cluster of fuzzy grey-green leaves 1 to 2 feet across.  These leaves will stay green throughout the winter.  During the plant's second growing season it will send up a single stalk - this stalk rarely branches.  The lower part of the stalk with be covered alternate leaves that get smaller higher up the stalk.  The upper part of the stalk will grow into a dense spike of yellow flowers.  Flowers have have five pale yellow petals and are 1/2 to 1 inch across.  Only a small percentage of flowers on as spike will be in bloom at any one time.  The dried flower spikes often remain through the winter.

Common Mullein -  a closer view of the flower spike

Wildflowers of 2016 - #188 Spotted Knapweed (Cenaurea stoebe)

Spotted Knapweed - note purple flowers and grey-green foliage

The next flower is considered a noxious weed or an invasive species by many states.  Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is a native of Europe that was introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s.  It is now found in 46 states and seven Canadian provinces/territories.  Spotted Knapweed spreads aggressively by producing large numbers of seeds that remain viable in the soil for several years.  Once established it quickly outcompetes native species.

Spotted Knapweed flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plants lack thorns

Spotted Knapweed plants may grow up to five feet tall.   The purple flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plant can be distinguished from thistles by its complete lack of thorns.  The leaves and stems of Spotted Knapweed are grey-green in color.  The leaves are deeply lobed.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #189 Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis)

Bouncing Bet

My third species from Chipp-A-Waters park was another non-native, Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).  This native of Eurasia is naturalized across all of the United States and Canada with the exception of Hawaii, Alaska, and the Canadian Arctic.  Like many introduced species, it is most commonly found in disturbed habitats such as fields and roadsides.  Bouncing Bet is also known as Soapwort - adding the plant to water will result in foam that has traditionally bean used for cleaning.
 

Bouncing Bet - a closer view of the flowers, note backward angled petals

Bouncing Bet plants may grow up to 2 1/2 feet tall and produces a terminal cluster of white or bluish-white flowers.  The flowers are up to 1 inch across, tube-shaped, and have five petals.  The petals angle backward, exposing the plant's pistil and stamen.  Like many pale flowers, Bouncing Bet is probably pollinated mainly by large nocturnal moths.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #190 Common Burdock (Arctium minus)

After leaving Chipp-A-Waters Park, I went a short distance to Mill Pond Park.  Mill Pond is Mt. Pleasant's largest park at 90 acres.  The first new flower that I encountered at Mill Pond Park was the  Common Burdock (Arctium minus).  This introduced species is a common weed of fields, roadsides, pastures, and other disturbed spaces.  Common Burdock (also known as Lesser Burdock) is native to Europe, but can now be found across most of North America with the exception of Alaska and the Canadian Arctic.

Common Burdock is a large plant

 
Common Burdock plants can be identified by their large leaves (up to 2 feet long and 1.5 feet wide), purple flowers, and round burs.  The burs encase the plant's seeds and are used to disperse the seeds.  Anyone who has ever brushed up against one of these plants is familiar with how the hooked burs cling to clothing (or animal fur or feathers) and pull off of the parent plant.  Common Burdock plants may grow from 3 to 6 feet tall.

Common Burdock - note purple flowers and developing hooked burs

Wildflowers of 2016 - #191 Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum)

Willow-herb - note toothed margins of leaves

My second flower from Mill Pond Park was my first native species of the day, Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum).  I found this plant growing in the floodplain area at Mill Pond Park - in the same location where I found it in 2014.  This species is typically found in wet soils.  This species can be found across North America with the exception of seven states in the Southeast and the Canadian territory of Nunavut.

Willow-herb - a closer view of the flower, note the small hairs on stems

Michigan's eight Epilobium species can be difficult to identify to the species level.  I based my identification of this plant on its height (greater than 3 feet), the size of its flower, size of leaves, toothed margins of its leaves, and locations of known populations in Michigan.  However, this species is known to hybridize with Cinnamon Willow-herb (E. coloratum) and the plants in this small colony may very well be hybrids.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #192 Common Plantain (Plantago major)

Common Plantain (Plantago major) did not appear on my 2014 list.  This species is native to Europe, but has naturalized across all fifty states and every Canadian province with the exception of Nunavut.  It has been recorded in about three-quarters of Michigan's counties.

Common Plantain - note basal rosette of leaves and flower spikes

Common Plantain plants consist of a rosette of basal leaves measuring up to 12 inches across.  The leaves are oval-shaped with a long stalk and measure 2 to 5 inches long.  Rising from the center of the rosette are one or more densely packed flower spikes that rise to a height of 5 to 20 inches.  The individual flowers on the spikes are small (1/8 inch) and green colored.  The flowers consist of 4 sepals a single white pistil (which can be seen in the photographs) and four stamen with purple anthers.

Common Plantain flower spike - note protruding white pistils and purple stamen

Wildflowers of 2016 - #193 Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

The final flower on the list for the day is a nettle - Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica).  On June 28th I recorded  Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) at Species #175.  Although Wood Nettle and Stinging Nettle are in separate genera (Urtica and Laportea), they share a common characteristic.  Both plants are covered with fine needle-like hairs that break off upon contact.  These needles are filled with  a mixture of chemicals that cause an itching or burning sensation upon contact with skin.  Both plants also have small greenish-white or green flowers growing in clusters from the leaf axils.

Stinging Nettle - note opposite leaves and flowers in leaf axils

 
Despite these similarities the two plants are easy to distinguish.  Stinging Nettle often grows taller than Wood Nettle (up to 7 feet tall versus 4 feet tall).  Although both species like wet soils, Stinging Nettle is also more likely to be found in dry habitats than Wood Nettle.  The most distinguishing characteristic is leaf placement; Wood Nettle has some alternate leaves while those of Stinging Nettle are always arranged in pairs.
 

Stinging Nettle - a closer view of the flowers

There is some debate over the origin of our Stinging Nettle plants.  The species is native to both North America and Eurasia.  Michigan Flora indicates that most Michigan plants belong to the native subspecies.
 

Wildflowers of 2016 - #160 through #164

On Wednesday June 22nd, I stopped at Island Park and Pickens Field to look for new wildflower species along the banks of the Chippewa River.  I found a total of five new species to add to my 2016 list.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #160 Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

On June 9th I photographed the flowers from Western Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii) at Island Park.  Since that time I have been looking for the flowers of Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), but I every plant I found was either not blooming yet or had finished blooming already.  Finally, I found some vines along that south edge of Pickens Field with blooms.  Unfortunately, I could not get close to get good images - there was too much Poison Ivy in the way and I am allergic.

Eastern Poison Ivy - note small white flowers

How can I be sure that these flowers belong to Eastern Poison Ivy and not the Western species?  It's simple.  This plant was climbing a tree.  Western Poison Ivy never climbs.  For more information on how to identify poison ivy plants check out my post titled "Leaves of Three... Revisited".

Eastern Poison Ivy vine climbing a tree

Wildflowers of 2016 - #161 Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

My second flower of the day was found along the edge of the paved bike/walking trail that terminates at Pickens Field.  Crowding the edge of the trail is a colony of Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina).    Staghorn Sumac is a sun-loving species that is found either in open fields or along the edges of forests.  This plant is rarely found in full shade.

Staghorn Sumac - note large compound leaves and fuzzy branches/leaf petioles

 
Most of the plants in this colony are under 10 feet tall, but the species can reach heights of 30 feet.  Staghorn Sumac has large compound leaves that may be up to 24 inches long.  The flowers of Staghorn Sumac are arranged on a branched, pyramid-shaped spike at the terminal end of the trunks.  Individual flowers are pale green in color and small (measuring 1/4 inch across).  The whole flower spike may measure 12 inches long and 6 inches across.

Staghorn Sumac flower spike - Honeybee approved!

Staghorn Sumac is found throughout the eastern United States and Canada.  It is the largest of four Sumac (Rhus) species found in Michigan and can be distinguished from other Sumac species by its dense coating of hair on leaf stalks and branches.

On a side note, Poison Sumac is also found in the state.  Despite its name, it is unrelated to true Sumac species.  Instead it belong to the same genus (Toxicodendron) as the two species of poison ivy.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #162 Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia)

I found my third species of the day along the north side of Island Park.  Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia) is native of Europe and Asia Minor.  Its bright yellow flowers and low growing nature make it an attractive groundcover in gardens.  It has escaped cultivation to become naturalized in more than thirty states and seven Canadian provinces.  Moneywort did not appear on my 2014 list.

Moneywort - note oppisite pairs of round leaves and yellow flowers

Also known as Creeping Jenny, Moneywort is a non-climbing vine that can be up to 3 feet long.  The plants leaves are round, measure 1 to 1.5 inches across, and are arranged in opposite pairs.  Its flowers have five petals and measure about 1 inch across.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #163 Creeping Yellow Cress (Rorippa sylvestris)

Creeping Yellow Cress - note four-petaled flowers and elongated seed pods

Creeping Yellow Cress (Rorippa sylvestris) is another new species for me.  As a member of the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae), Creeping Yellow Cress has flowers with four petals.  The flowers are yellow and measure about 1/3 inch across.  The flowers grow in a raceme at the top of the plant.  After flowering, the blooms are replaced by narrow seed pods (siliques).  This species spreads both by seed and by underground roots.  Creeping Yellow Cress plants grow to up to 2 feet tall, but often sprawl.   The lobed leaves are probably the most distinguishing feature of this plant. 

Creeping Yellow Cress - note lobed leaves and sprawling stems

Creeping Yellow Cress was originally a native of Europe.  It has naturalized in forty-one states and across the southern tier of Canada.  It is considered a noxious weed by several states.  It has only been previously collected in 20 counties in Michigan (not Isabella County).  Depending on region, this species is considered either an obligate wetland species (always occurs in wetlands) or a facultative wetland species (usually occurs in wetlands, but may grow in uplands).  The plants that I found were growing in the Chippewa River floodplain, typical habitat for this species.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #164 Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

My final flower of the day was another non-native species.  For almost a decade, I worked seasonally as a maintenance employee for the Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation Department.  One of my duties involved limited removal of invasive species (we had to pick our battles).  The species that I worked the hardest to control was Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a native of Eurasia, northwest Africa, and Australia.  It was introduced in North America originally as an ornamental plant in the 1800s.  Unfortunately, this plant easily escapes cultivation - individual plants may produce more than 2 million seeds in a single year!  Once established in a natural area, it becomes almost impossible to eradicate and quickly outgrows the native vegetation.  It can now be found in 43 states and 10 Canadian provinces and territories.  Many wetlands that have been infested with this plant have become almost complete monocultures, with little to no native vegetation remaining.


Purple Loosestrife is fairly easy to identify.  Its flowers are arranged in spikes at the top of the plant.  Individual flowers are purple, have 5-7 petals (normally 6), and measure 1/2 to 1 inch across.  Flowering spikes may be 6 inches to 2 feet long.

Purple Loosestrife - a closer view of the flower

Purple Loosestrife leaves are lanceolate (shaped like a lance or spear point) and may measure up to 4 inches long.  They are normally arranged in opposite pairs or whorls of three leaves, although some upper leaves may be arranged alternately.  Plants may grow to 6 feet in height, but may flower when less than 12 inches tall.  Another distinguishing feature of Purple Loosestrife in the square cross-section of the plant's stem.

Purple Loosestrife - note opposite leaves and square stem

If you find this plant growing in a wetland area, pull or dig it up.  If it has gone to seed, tie a plastic bag over the seed head before you try to remove the plant.  Once you have it dug up, place the entire plant in a garbage bag and dispose of it either by placing in the trash or by burning.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #70 through #89

I still trying to get caught up on my Wildflowers of 2016 list.  The following twenty species were photographed on Wednesday May 25th.  The first two species (#70 and #71) were photographed at Mill Pond Park.  Species #73 through #86 were found along the Chippewa River either at Island Park or Mt. Pleasant City Hall.  The final three species (#87 - #89) were photographed at Mission Creek Woodland Park.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #70 Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

My first species of the day was a small shrub - Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea).  Reddish branches and flat-topped clusters of white flowers helped to identify this plant, but Dogwood identification can be tricky.

Red-osier Dogwood

Both Red-osier and Silky Dogwood (C. amomum) have flat-topped flower clusters.  Silky Dogwood branches can also be red sometimes.  If I had seen fruit, this identification would have been simple.  Red-osier berries are white while those of Silky Dogwood are blue.  But, alas, there were no berries present at this time of year.  A final factor to confirm my identification was the color of the pith on the inside of small branches.  A white pith confirmed my identification.

Red-osier Dogwood - note red bark and white flower cluster

 For more on identifying dogwoods check out this post from 2013.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #71 Common Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)

My second flower of the day was Common Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus).  Common Fleabane is a weedy native plant with composite flowers.  This means its "flowers" are made up of many smaller flowers clustered together in a disc, while what appear to be petals are actually individual flowers called ray flowers.  While there are seven Erigeron species in Michigan, Common Fleabane can be distinguished from other species by the number of rays on the flower (150 - 400) and the leaves which clasp the stem.

Common Fleabane

As its name implies Common Fleabane is "common".  It can be found in 46 states (not Utah, Arizona, Alaska, or Hawaii) and most of Canada (except Nunavut and Labrador).  In Michigan it is currently listed in all but nine counties. 


Wildflowers of 2016 - #72 Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

My next species of the day is commonly mistaken for Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata) - #61 on this year's list.   However while Wild Blue Phlox is a native species, Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is non-nativeand is often considered invasive because of its aggressive nature.

A colony of Dame's Rocket

Despite confusion by the public, the two species are easy to differentiate.  Wild Blue Phlox flowers always have five petals.  As a member of the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae), Dame's Rocket flowers always have four petals. The flowers of Dame's Rocket vary in color from white to pink to purple, with variegated forms being fairly common.  The leaves on the two plants are also arranged differently; Wild Blue Phlox has opposite leaves and those of Dame's Rocket are arranged alternately.

Dame's Rocket - note hairy sepals and four petals

For more information on how to identify these species please check out my 2013 post:  A tale of two flowers - one native, one alien.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #73 Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis)

My fourth species of the day was photographed along the Chippewa River at Island Park.  Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis) is a native plant that can be found across the northern parts of the United States and Canada.  It can be aggressive and often forms large colonies.  For more information on this species check out my April 2013 species profile.

Canada Anemone - note whorl of leaves

Canada Anemone - note five petals and yellow stamen

Wildflowers of 2016 - #74 White Mulberry (Morus alba)

White Mulberry (Morus alba) is a non-native tree.  Originally from China, this tree has been recorded in every state but Alasaka and Nevada.  It is widely planted as an ornamental or fruit tree.  The fruit is eaten by more than two dozen species of birds and many mammals.  Because the seeds are difficult to digest, they often pass through animal digestive tracts unharmed and easily sprout.

White Mulberry flowers

This species can grow as much as 60 feet tall.  It requires at least partial sun, so will probably not be found growing in deep woods.  The flowers of this plant are dangling white catkins.  White Mulberry trees contain both male and female flowers.

White Mulberry

Wildflowers of 2016 - #75 Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is another non-native tree species.  The flowers of this species are small (about 1/4 inch across) and a nondescript greenish color.  After pollination the flowers are replaced by glossy black berries.  These fruits are eaten by a number of bird species including American Robins and Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings.   It can quickly spread as these birds deposit the seeds in their droppings.  The berries are not edible for humans and should not be consumed.

Small green flowers of Common Buckthorn

Common Buckthorn has been recorded in thirty-four states.  Six states list it as a prohibited species or noxious weed.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #76 Common Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta)

Common Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a small native plant that often treated as a weed .  It grows in dry open soils, so it is often found along roadsides, in garden, and in other disturbed places.  Common Yellow Wood-sorrel is actually quite attractive with lemon yellow flowers and compound leaves with three heart-shaped leaflets. The flowers have five petals and measure 1/8 to 1/2 inch across.  The leaves measure 3/8 to 3/4 inch across.

Common Yellow Wood-sorrel - note yellow flowers and three-lobed leaves.  Small blue flowers belong to the next species.

There is another species also known as Common Yellow Wood-sorrel (O. dillenii).  There is some debate about whether these species should be split or lumped together.  They both range across most of the United States and share the same range in Michigan.  If indeed these are two separate species, they can also hybridize further confusing identification.

Common Yellow Wood-sorrel - note five notched petals

Wildflowers of 2016 - #77 Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis)

My eighth species of the day may be the smallest species that I have documented so far.  Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis) plants may grow up to eight inches tall, but their flowers only measure 1/8 inch or less across.  Each miniature flower consists of four violet-blue petals, a pair of white stamen, and a single pistil.  The plant's opposite leaves are also small, measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.  The leaves and stems of this species are covered with small hairs.

The tiny violet-blue flowers of Corn Speedwell

Corn Speedwell is originally native to Europe, but has naturalized across North America.  It has been documented in every state but North Dakota as well as six Canadian provinces/territories.  In Michigan, it is absent though much of the Upper Peninsula.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #78 Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)

Growing within inches of the Corn Speedwell, I found a second Veronica species: Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia).  Thyme-leaved Speedwell is a small non-native plant that is commonly found in lawns, along roadsides, and in other areas of disturbed ground.  It spreads easily and can be found in most types of upland habitats and along the banks of rivers and streams.  Because of its small size (4-12 inches tall) this plant rarely out-competes native species.  It is usually only noticed when it forms a fairly large colony and the flowers can be seen.  The small flowers (1/4 inch across) form in a raceme at the top of the stalk and are usually white with dark blue veins.

Thyme-leaved Speedwell

This species is less widely distributed across North America.  It is absent from Mississippi through the Southwest to California, as well as Wyoming, South Dakota, and Florida.  In Michigan it has been documented in 63 of 83 counties.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #79 Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Autumn Olive shrubs can produce thousands of blooms

Many states and government agencies used to encourage the planting of Autumn Olive (Eleagnus umbellata) for erosion control and wildlife habitat.  Now it is considered an invasive species that can quickly crowd out native plants.  It spreads when birds consume its fruit and is very hard to eradicate.  It can be found in every state east of the Mississippi, in urban areas of the Pacific Northwest and in Hawaii.
 

Autumn Olive - note grey-green leaves and flowers with four petals

Wildflowers of 2016 - #80 White Clover (Trifolium repens)

Although it is not native, White Clover (Trifolium repens) is found throughout North America.  Although originally introduced as a forage crop, it is now also commonly found in lawns and roadsides.  As the name Trifolium indicates, the plant typically has leaves with three lobes.  Its white flowers grow in round heads that measure 0.5 to 1.25 inches wide.
 

White Clover - note three-lobed leaves and globe shaped flower heads

Wildflowers of 2016 - #81 Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)

My next species was Black Medick (Medicago lupulina).  This plant was introduced from Eurasia to all 50 states and all Canadian provinces and territories except Yukon, Nunavut, and Labrador.  Black Meddick is often found as a weed in lawns and fields, along roadsides, and in other disturbed spaces.  It has small yellow flowers in the form of a globe or cylinder.  This flower head measures less than 1/2 inch across.  The plant can grow to nearly 3 feet, but is frequently much smaller.  Both White Clover and Black Medick are members of the Pea Family (Fabaceae).

Black Medick - note small yellow globe-shaped flowers and three-lobed leaves

Wildflowers of 2016 - #82 English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is another non-native weedy species.  This species has been documented in every state and across the lower tier of Canadian provinces.  Also known as Narrow-leaf Plantain, this species has a basal rosette of narrow leaves measuring up to 3/4 inch wide and 10 inches long.  The flowers of this species are clustered on a spike that can be up to 2 inches long.  This spike rises on a leafless stalk and can be 6 to 18 inches tall.  The flowers are a dull grey-green color, with white stamen that extend outward from the spike.  These stamen are the most prominent feature of the flowers.

English Plantain - note extended stamen

English Plantain - note tall flower stalks and basal rosette of narrow leaves

Wildflowers of 2016 - #83 American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)

American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum Trilobum) is a native shrub that prefers moist soils along shorelines, floodplains, wet woodlands, and deciduous and conifer swamps.  The white flower clusters of American Highbush Cranberry consist of a round cluster of small fertile flowers surrounded by a ring of larger sterile flowers.  The shrub's leaves resemble small maple leaves.

American Highbush Cranberry

This species is found across the northern half of the United States and southern Canada.  In Michigan it has been recorded in a little more than half of the counties.  There is a closely related European native called European Highbush Cranberry (V. opulus).  Sometimes the two plants are considered a single species, with thee American Highbush Cranberry being called Viburnum opulus var. americanum.  The two  can be (theoretically) sorted by differences in the petiole glands.

American Highbush Cranberry - note small fertile flowers and large sterile flowers

Wildflowers of 2016 - #84 Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

Common Buttercup

My next species was the non-native Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris).  This native of Europe has been introduced throughout most of North America.  It has glossy yellow flowers with five petals and deeply lobed leaves.  Common Buttercup can be found in fields, pastures, and meadows, along roadsides, and along shorelines.  I found it growing in moist soil along the Chippewa River.  Individual Common Buttercup plants may flower any time between May and August.  The flowers measure about 0.5 to 1.5 inches across and like most Buttercup species consist of five petals and five sepals.  The leaves of this species are deeply divided into three to five lobes.

Common Buttercup flowers

Common Buttercup leaves are deeply lobed

Wildflowers of 2016 - #85 Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus)

Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) was my next species of the day.  Also known as Burning Bush for its red fall foliage, Winged Euonymus is a common landscape shrub that has escaped into the wild throughout the eastern United States.  Like most escaped shrubs, it is spread when birds consume its fruit and leave the seeds in their droppings.  This shrub was found growing along the Chippewa River behind the Mt. Pleasant City Hall.

Winged Euonymus - note flowers with four petals, four sepals, four stamen, and a central disc

This species is named Winged Euonymus for the cork-like wings that project off the sides of its branches and trunks.  These wings can be seen on several of the twigs in the photo below.  The flowers of this species are small - measuring about 1/3 inch across.  The flowers have four yellow-green petals, four green sepals, four short stamen, and a green central disc.  The flowers grow from the leaf axils in groups of three or less.

Note the winged stems that give Winged Euonymus its name

Wildflowers of 2017 - #86 Field Peppergrass (Lepidium campestre)

Field Peppergrass (Lepidium campestre) is a non-native member of the Brassica family.  Originally a native of Eurasia, it has become naturalized across North America.  It is opportunistic and will quickly colonize areas of open or disturbed soil.

Field Peppergrass

Field Peppergrass grows 8 to 18 inches tall.  It has both basal and stem leaves.  The stem leaves are arranged alternately, measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, and clasp the stem.  The plant is densely covered with hairs and has a grey-green color.  The flowers are small (less than 1/4 inch), white, and as is typical of Brassicas have four petals.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #87 Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

My first flower was one that I first identified encountered during my Wildflowers of 2014 ramblings.  I found it growing in and along the shoreline of Mission Creek.  This plant was easy to identify as a member of the Buttercup or Crowfoot Family (Ranunculaceae).  Identifying it to species was a little more difficult - there are 18 Ranunculus species that can be found in Michigan.  I have already included three species on this 2016 list: #43 Swamp Buttercup (R. hispidus), #45 Small-flowered Buttercup (R. arbortivus), and  #84 Common Buttercup (R. acris).  Those three species could be eliminated for various reasons.  Several other species could be eliminated for reasons such as habitat type, location, color, etc.

Creeping Buttercup leaves - note "watermarks"

This colony of plants is the Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens).  This non-native buttercup is lot listed in Michigan Flora for Isabella County, but I am fairly certain of my identification.  I based this identification on the size of the flower (larger than 1/2 inch), leaf shape (compound leaves with a stalked terminal lobe), and flowering time.  Another feature that pushed my identification to Creeping Buttercup was white blotches (watermarks) on the leaves.  My Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers as well as several web sources list these watermarks as being a characteristic of this species.

Creeping Buttercup

This year I found Creeping Buttercup in the growing in the exact same location as in 2014.  It displayed all of the same characteristics so I was positive of my identification.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #88 Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)

I went to Mission Creek with the intent of finding my next species of plant - Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea).  Golden Ragwort can be identified by its small yellow flowers (1/2 -3/4 inch wide), heart shaped basal leaves, and lobed upper leaves.  It prefers the wet soils found in floodplains, hardwood and conifer swamps, and other shallow-water wetland habitats.  It grows very well in the cedar swamp along the edge of Mission Creek.  It can be found across eastern North America, as far south as Florida and as far north as Manitoba.

Golden Ragwort surrounded by Skunk Cabbage, Equisetum, and other wetland species

Golden Ragwort flowers

Wildflowers of 2016 - #89 Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Growing in a drier area along Mission Creek, I found several Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) plants.  Wild Columbine can be found across the eastern United States and Canada, as far west as a line running from Texas to Saskatchewan.  In Michigan it has been recorded in all but five counties.

Wild Columbine flower - not the best picture

Wild Columbine plant grow 1 to 3 feet tall and have both basal and stem leaves.  The stem leaves are arranged alternately.  All leaves are compound (divided into smaller leaflets).  The flowers of Wild Columbine dangle individually from long stems.  Each flower is composed of five petals, five sepals, and dangling stamen and styles.  The opening of the flowers point downward.  The upper part of the flower consists of five pointed, nectar-filled spurs.  Overall the flowers are reddish, with the lower parts of the petals being yellow.  The red color of the flowers and the long spurs attract hummingbirds as one of the plant's primary pollinators.  Individual flowers measure 1 to 1.5 inches long.

 For a better photo of a Columbine see my National Trails Day post