Thursday, July 10, 2014
A lone(ly) butterfly
Earlier this week I saw only my second Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) of the year. I know some areas of the country are reporting large numbers of Monarchs, that is not the case around here.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wildflowers of 2014 - #168 through #171
Last Thursday (03 July 2014) I went to Chipp-A-Waters Park and added four species to my 2014 list. All four of these species prefer open habitats such as fields, roadsides, forest openings and edges, and open woodlands. I found the first three species growing in the open fields around the Girl Scout cabin at the west side of the park. The fourth species was growing alongside the Riverwalk Trail.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #168 Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria)
The first species of the day was a small introduced wildflower called Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). I have seen Deptford Pink numerous times over the past decade, but never in large quantities. A native of Europe, this plant is an annual (or biennial) that grows best in disturbed soils. It spreads by seed and does not compete well against other plants. As a landscape evolves, Deptford Pink populations may appear for several years and then disappear entirely. It is also easy to overlook this plant unless it is flowering.
Deptford Pinks are very easy to identify when flowering. Even though the flowers are small (1/3 inch across) they are very distinctive. Each flower has five pink petals with a toothed outer edge. The petals are covered with small white dots. Flowers grow in one or more v-shaped clusters at the top of each plant.
Deptford Pink plants grow from 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall. They have both basal and stem leaves. The basal leaves are narrow oval shapes; stem leaves are grass-like measuring 1/8 inch across and up to 3 inches long. Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #169 Common Mullein (Verbascum thaspus)
While Deptford Pink is very inconspicuous, the next flower is anything but. Growing up to 7 feet tall, Common Mullein (Verbascum thaspus) has a flowering stalk up to 2 feet long and leaves that can be 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.
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 likes dry habitats such as fields and roadsides. It has naturalized across most of North America with the exception of the Canadian Arctic territories.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #170 Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)
The third flower species was the only native species of the day - Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium). Like the previous two species, I found this one growing in an open dry area as is typical of the species.
Spreading Dogbane can grow up to three feet tall. The plant's leaves are oval-shaped and measure 1 to 3 inches long. These leaves display prominent light colored veins. Leaves are arranged in pairs that droop off of the plant's branching stem.
Flowers of Common Dogbane arranged in flat topped clusters at end of the plant's stem s. Individual flowers are 1/4 to 3/8 inches across, white or pink colored, and have five petals that either spread wide or curl backward. Like the plant's leaves, the flowers nod or droop slightly.
Spreading Dogbane is one of only two Apocynum species; the other being Common Dogbane or Indian Hemp (A. Cannabinum) - the two species hybridize as a variety known as Apocynum X floribundum. Both species and the hybrid can be found across most of North America.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #171 Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot (Daucus Carota) is a biennial plant that during its first year produces a basal cluster of leaves. In its second year the plant "bolts" or goes to seed, first producing a flat cluster (umbel) of small white flowers. This umbel may be up to 10 inches across. The center of the umbel often contains a single, sterile, purple floret. This floret is not always present, but in combination with a "carrot" smell, it makes this plant easy to identify.
A native of Eurasia, Wild Carrot can be found across most of North America with the exception of the arctic and subarctic.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #168 Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria)
The first species of the day was a small introduced wildflower called Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). I have seen Deptford Pink numerous times over the past decade, but never in large quantities. A native of Europe, this plant is an annual (or biennial) that grows best in disturbed soils. It spreads by seed and does not compete well against other plants. As a landscape evolves, Deptford Pink populations may appear for several years and then disappear entirely. It is also easy to overlook this plant unless it is flowering.
 |
| Deptford Pink growing in a grassy field |
Deptford Pinks are very easy to identify when flowering. Even though the flowers are small (1/3 inch across) they are very distinctive. Each flower has five pink petals with a toothed outer edge. The petals are covered with small white dots. Flowers grow in one or more v-shaped clusters at the top of each plant.
 |
| Deptford Pink - note dotted pink petals |
Deptford Pink plants grow from 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall. They have both basal and stem leaves. The basal leaves are narrow oval shapes; stem leaves are grass-like measuring 1/8 inch across and up to 3 inches long. Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #169 Common Mullein (Verbascum thaspus)
While Deptford Pink is very inconspicuous, the next flower is anything but. Growing up to 7 feet tall, Common Mullein (Verbascum thaspus) has a flowering stalk up to 2 feet long and leaves that can be 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.
 |
| Common Mullein (Verbascum thaspus) - note large grey-green leaves and yellow flowering spike |
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 flowering spike |
Common Mullein likes dry habitats such as fields and roadsides. It has naturalized across most of North America with the exception of the Canadian Arctic territories.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #170 Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium)
The third flower species was the only native species of the day - Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium). Like the previous two species, I found this one growing in an open dry area as is typical of the species.
Spreading Dogbane can grow up to three feet tall. The plant's leaves are oval-shaped and measure 1 to 3 inches long. These leaves display prominent light colored veins. Leaves are arranged in pairs that droop off of the plant's branching stem.
 |
| Spreading Dogbane - note nodding leaves with prominent veins |
Flowers of Common Dogbane arranged in flat topped clusters at end of the plant's stem s. Individual flowers are 1/4 to 3/8 inches across, white or pink colored, and have five petals that either spread wide or curl backward. Like the plant's leaves, the flowers nod or droop slightly.
 |
| Spreading Dogbane - note the loose cluster of nodding white flowers |
 |
| A closer view of Spreading Dogbane flowers - note the 5 recurved petals |
Spreading Dogbane is one of only two Apocynum species; the other being Common Dogbane or Indian Hemp (A. Cannabinum) - the two species hybridize as a variety known as Apocynum X floribundum. Both species and the hybrid can be found across most of North America.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #171 Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot (Daucus Carota) is a biennial plant that during its first year produces a basal cluster of leaves. In its second year the plant "bolts" or goes to seed, first producing a flat cluster (umbel) of small white flowers. This umbel may be up to 10 inches across. The center of the umbel often contains a single, sterile, purple floret. This floret is not always present, but in combination with a "carrot" smell, it makes this plant easy to identify.
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| Wild Carrot growing in rock along a paved trail |
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| Wild Carrot - note flat-topped umbel of small florets |
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| A closer view of the Wild Carrot - note purple floret in center of bloom |
A native of Eurasia, Wild Carrot can be found across most of North America with the exception of the arctic and subarctic.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Michigan Lily Pictures
Yesterday I posted Wildflowers #162 through #167 for the year. Wildflower #163 was the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense). In that post I only showed pictures of a single Michigan Lily flower - on the day that I first found the plants flowering there was only the single bloom. However when I went back several days later there were multiple open blooms. I thought I would share some of those pictures today.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Wildflowers of 2014 - #162 through 167
Time to get caught up on the flowers that are blooming this past week.
All six of these flower species were found blooming in the cedar swamp at Mission Creek Woodland Park. The first two species were found on Sunday 29 June 2014 and the remaining four species were found on Wednesday 02 July 2014.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #162 Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
The first species that I sound on Sunday was Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata). Water Hemlock can grow up to six foot tall - these examples were 2 1/2 to 3 foot tall. It has purplish stems, compound leaves, and white umbel shaped (flat-topped) clusters of small flowers. These flowers bear a resemblance to those of many other species, and may result in tragic cases of misidentification. Water Hemlock is considered on of the most poisonous plants in North America, and is toxic to both humans and livestock. Death may result from ingesting even a small piece of this plant.
Water Hemlock commonly grows in moist habitats such as swamps, marshes, ditches and wet prairies. It is found throughout Michigan but is more commonly reported in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. It has a nearly continent wide distribution, with samples being identified in 49 states (not Hawaii) and all Canadian provinces and territories with the exceptions of Labrador and Nunavut.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #163 Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense)
The second plant on the list is one that I was very excited to see. Over the past decade I have found a total of less than five individual Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) plants. Imagine my surprise to find a thriving colony of these plants at Mission Creek. Based on the number of plants, and the presence of old stems and seed pods, this colony has been growing here for some time. Like many of the other plants on this list, my failure to find it in years past has been a matter of not being in the right place at the right time.
It is not easy to overlook Michigan Lily. Large specimens may grow to a height of nearly ten feet! However, they are more likely to grow to heights of 1 1/2 to 4 feet. Leaves are arranged in whorls or rings along the stem. Each whorl may consist of 3 to 7 leaves.
The flowers of Michigan Lily dangle from long stalks at the top of the plants. Plants may have one or more (as many as six) flowers. Mature plants will typically have more flowers than younger ones. The flowers have six tepals (a term used to describe petals and sepals that can not be distinguished) that are yellow-orange to red-orange in color. Each tepal is dotted with purple spots. The tepals curve strongly upward upon opening, exposing the flower's six long stamen and single pistel.
Michigan Lily prefers high quality, undisturbed sites with abundant soil moisture such as swamps, bogs, floodplains, wet prairies, etc. It will grow in both sun and shade. In Michigan it is found in scattered locations throughout the state, but is most common in the southern Lower Peninsula. Overall it can be found in 20 states centered on the tallgrass prairie region. It grows as far west as a line running from eastern South Dakota to eastern Oklahoma. In the east its range is restricted by the Appalachian Mountains. It can be found as far north as Minnesota, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Ontario. In the south the species' range extend to northern Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia
Wildflowers of 2014 - #164 Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)
Anyone who has ever encountered the next species is not likely to forget it. Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) plants are covered with fine needle-like hairs that break off on contact. The needles are filled with a combination of chemicals (including acid) that cause and itching burning sensation anywhere the hairs puncture the skin. This delightful sensation can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Wood Nettle prefers moist habitats such as shorelines, moist woodlands, floodplains, and swamps.
Wood Nettle can be distinguished from non-native Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) by the placements of its leaves. The leaves of Stinging Nettle are arranged in opposite pairs while those of Wood Nettle are arranged alternately
The flowers of Wood Nettle are inconspicuous. They are small, greenish-white, and grow from the leaf axils. The plants do not have to be conspicuous because they rely on wind instead of insect pollination.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #165 Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
I found the next flower growing within feet of the last two species. While photographing the Wood Nettle, I looked down and saw a Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) plant between the legs of my tripod. Fringed Loosestrife is on of seven native Lysimachia species that can be found in Michigan. Like the majority of those species, this plant is a wetland resident. Fringed Loosestrife can be found in wet locations such as floodplains, shorelines, streamside, swamps, and wet meadows. It is more commonly found in shaded locations than sunny ones. Fringed Loosestrife can be found across much of North America (45 states and 9 Canadian provinces/territories).
The leaves of Fringed Loosestrife are oval shaped, measure up to six inches long and arranged in pairs. The stems of the leaves (petioles) are conspicuously hairy or fringed - giving the species its name. The flowers grow on individual stalks from the leaf axils. The flowers are yellow with red centers and have five petals. The edges of the petals have irregular serrations or teeth. The flowers nod slightly.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #166 Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)
The next flower on the list could easily be overlooked. Although Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) may grow up to 5 feet, its yellow flowers are small. Each flower is only 1/8 to 1/4 inch across. The flowers have five petals and grow on racemes (spikes) that branch off from the main stem of the plant.
Even with the small size of the flowers, Agrimony plants are easy to identify. At this time of year there is no other flowering plant in the woods that resembles Agrimony. There are seven different Agrimony species found in Michigan of which Tall Agrimony has the widest distribution. In addition to its yellow flowering raceme, Tall Agrimony can be identified by its hairy stems and compound leaves (5 - 9 large toothed leaflets, with small leaflets in between the large leaflets). At the base of each compound leaf is a pair of kidney shaped leaves.
Tall Agrimony is most commonly found in upland habitats such as deciduous and mixed forests, but will also grow in wetter soil. I found this plant growing along the trail through the cedar swamp at Mission Creek. Tall Agrimony can be found in widely scattered locations across North America, but the core of its range appears to be the Great Lakes and Northeast. This leads me to believe that many of its disconnected populations are probably introduced.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #167 American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya)
The final flower is another that would be easy to overlook because of the small size of its blooms. American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya) has small tubular flowers arranged in opposite pairs on one or more spikes (racemes) that rise above the plant's leaves. Individual flowers are up to one inch long, but only 1/4 inch across. The flowers bloom in sequence from the bottom of the spike to the top, with only a few pairs blooming at any one time. The flowers are white with a pinkish tint. After pollination, the plant's seed pods droop downward until they are parallel with the stem.
The leaves of Lopseed are roughly ovate or egg-shaped with coarsely toothed margins and a pointed tip. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and each leaf may be up to 5 inches long. The plant itself may be up to three feet tall. Another distinguishing feature of this plant is the purple color of the plant's stems.
American Lopseed is the single plant in its genus (Phryma) in North America. Its range is primarilly in the eastern half of the continent, being found in every state east of a line from North Dakota to Texas. There is also a connected population in northeast Colorado and an unconnected (probably introduced) population in one county in Northern California. Canadian populations can be found in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
All six of these flower species were found blooming in the cedar swamp at Mission Creek Woodland Park. The first two species were found on Sunday 29 June 2014 and the remaining four species were found on Wednesday 02 July 2014.
Wildflowers of 2014 - #162 Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
The first species that I sound on Sunday was Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata). Water Hemlock can grow up to six foot tall - these examples were 2 1/2 to 3 foot tall. It has purplish stems, compound leaves, and white umbel shaped (flat-topped) clusters of small flowers. These flowers bear a resemblance to those of many other species, and may result in tragic cases of misidentification. Water Hemlock is considered on of the most poisonous plants in North America, and is toxic to both humans and livestock. Death may result from ingesting even a small piece of this plant.
 |
| Water Hemlock - note the purple stems and compound leaves |
Water Hemlock commonly grows in moist habitats such as swamps, marshes, ditches and wet prairies. It is found throughout Michigan but is more commonly reported in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. It has a nearly continent wide distribution, with samples being identified in 49 states (not Hawaii) and all Canadian provinces and territories with the exceptions of Labrador and Nunavut.
 |
| Water Hemlock can be easily mistaken for other plants in the Carrot Family (Apiaceae) |
 |
| Water Hemlock - a closer view of the flower umbels |
Wildflowers of 2014 - #163 Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense)
The second plant on the list is one that I was very excited to see. Over the past decade I have found a total of less than five individual Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) plants. Imagine my surprise to find a thriving colony of these plants at Mission Creek. Based on the number of plants, and the presence of old stems and seed pods, this colony has been growing here for some time. Like many of the other plants on this list, my failure to find it in years past has been a matter of not being in the right place at the right time.
 |
| Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) |
It is not easy to overlook Michigan Lily. Large specimens may grow to a height of nearly ten feet! However, they are more likely to grow to heights of 1 1/2 to 4 feet. Leaves are arranged in whorls or rings along the stem. Each whorl may consist of 3 to 7 leaves.
 |
| Michigan Lily - note the whorl of leaves and the dangling flower |
The flowers of Michigan Lily dangle from long stalks at the top of the plants. Plants may have one or more (as many as six) flowers. Mature plants will typically have more flowers than younger ones. The flowers have six tepals (a term used to describe petals and sepals that can not be distinguished) that are yellow-orange to red-orange in color. Each tepal is dotted with purple spots. The tepals curve strongly upward upon opening, exposing the flower's six long stamen and single pistel.
 |
| Michigan Lily - the flower's tepals (petals and sepals) curl upward exposing its stamen and pistil |
Michigan Lily prefers high quality, undisturbed sites with abundant soil moisture such as swamps, bogs, floodplains, wet prairies, etc. It will grow in both sun and shade. In Michigan it is found in scattered locations throughout the state, but is most common in the southern Lower Peninsula. Overall it can be found in 20 states centered on the tallgrass prairie region. It grows as far west as a line running from eastern South Dakota to eastern Oklahoma. In the east its range is restricted by the Appalachian Mountains. It can be found as far north as Minnesota, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Ontario. In the south the species' range extend to northern Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia
Wildflowers of 2014 - #164 Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)
Anyone who has ever encountered the next species is not likely to forget it. Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) plants are covered with fine needle-like hairs that break off on contact. The needles are filled with a combination of chemicals (including acid) that cause and itching burning sensation anywhere the hairs puncture the skin. This delightful sensation can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada. Wood Nettle prefers moist habitats such as shorelines, moist woodlands, floodplains, and swamps.
 |
| A colony of Wood Nettle growing over other wetland plants |
Wood Nettle can be distinguished from non-native Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) by the placements of its leaves. The leaves of Stinging Nettle are arranged in opposite pairs while those of Wood Nettle are arranged alternately
 |
| Wood Nettle - note the alternate leaves and whitish-green flowers |
The flowers of Wood Nettle are inconspicuous. They are small, greenish-white, and grow from the leaf axils. The plants do not have to be conspicuous because they rely on wind instead of insect pollination.
 |
| Wood Nettle - note the many small stinking hairs |
Wildflowers of 2014 - #165 Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
I found the next flower growing within feet of the last two species. While photographing the Wood Nettle, I looked down and saw a Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) plant between the legs of my tripod. Fringed Loosestrife is on of seven native Lysimachia species that can be found in Michigan. Like the majority of those species, this plant is a wetland resident. Fringed Loosestrife can be found in wet locations such as floodplains, shorelines, streamside, swamps, and wet meadows. It is more commonly found in shaded locations than sunny ones. Fringed Loosestrife can be found across much of North America (45 states and 9 Canadian provinces/territories).
 |
| The yellow flowers of Fringed Loosestrife |
The leaves of Fringed Loosestrife are oval shaped, measure up to six inches long and arranged in pairs. The stems of the leaves (petioles) are conspicuously hairy or fringed - giving the species its name. The flowers grow on individual stalks from the leaf axils. The flowers are yellow with red centers and have five petals. The edges of the petals have irregular serrations or teeth. The flowers nod slightly.
 |
| Fringed Loosestrife - note the drooping flowers growing from the leaf axils |
 |
| Another view of Fringed Loosestrife flowers and leaves |
Wildflowers of 2014 - #166 Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)
The next flower on the list could easily be overlooked. Although Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) may grow up to 5 feet, its yellow flowers are small. Each flower is only 1/8 to 1/4 inch across. The flowers have five petals and grow on racemes (spikes) that branch off from the main stem of the plant.
 |
| Tall Agrimony growing along a trail |
Even with the small size of the flowers, Agrimony plants are easy to identify. At this time of year there is no other flowering plant in the woods that resembles Agrimony. There are seven different Agrimony species found in Michigan of which Tall Agrimony has the widest distribution. In addition to its yellow flowering raceme, Tall Agrimony can be identified by its hairy stems and compound leaves (5 - 9 large toothed leaflets, with small leaflets in between the large leaflets). At the base of each compound leaf is a pair of kidney shaped leaves.
 |
| Tall Agrimony - note the small flowers and hairs covering the stem, the mosquito in the photo gives a sense of scale |
Tall Agrimony is most commonly found in upland habitats such as deciduous and mixed forests, but will also grow in wetter soil. I found this plant growing along the trail through the cedar swamp at Mission Creek. Tall Agrimony can be found in widely scattered locations across North America, but the core of its range appears to be the Great Lakes and Northeast. This leads me to believe that many of its disconnected populations are probably introduced.
 |
| Tall Agrimony - note the small yellow flowers with 5 petals |
Wildflowers of 2014 - #167 American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya)
The final flower is another that would be easy to overlook because of the small size of its blooms. American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya) has small tubular flowers arranged in opposite pairs on one or more spikes (racemes) that rise above the plant's leaves. Individual flowers are up to one inch long, but only 1/4 inch across. The flowers bloom in sequence from the bottom of the spike to the top, with only a few pairs blooming at any one time. The flowers are white with a pinkish tint. After pollination, the plant's seed pods droop downward until they are parallel with the stem.
The leaves of Lopseed are roughly ovate or egg-shaped with coarsely toothed margins and a pointed tip. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and each leaf may be up to 5 inches long. The plant itself may be up to three feet tall. Another distinguishing feature of this plant is the purple color of the plant's stems.
 |
| American Lopseed - note opposite leaves, purple stems, and white flowers |
American Lopseed is the single plant in its genus (Phryma) in North America. Its range is primarilly in the eastern half of the continent, being found in every state east of a line from North Dakota to Texas. There is also a connected population in northeast Colorado and an unconnected (probably introduced) population in one county in Northern California. Canadian populations can be found in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
 |
| American Lopseed - a closer view of the flowering spike |
Friday, July 4, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Look what I found...
Those empty eye sockets staring back at you belong to an American Mink (Neovison vison). The skull was almost perfectly clean, but has a little lingering smell. It is now resting on my desk in a jar of borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) to get rid of the smell. In the fall it will be used in my Michigan Mammals program.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Monarch Waystation #8536
About two weeks ago I shared some photos from the Native Pollinator Garden at the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum. I am pleased to report that this garden is now registered as Monarch Waystation #8536. It is so new that as of this writing it was not even listed in the Monarch Watch Registry.
This is the fifth Monarch Waystation that I have had a hand in creating. The native pollinator garden at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy is listed as Waystation #5092. The garden at Winn Elementary (Casee's Garden) is Waystation #6704. The garden at the Morey Public School Academy is Waystation #7336. My gardens at home are Waystation #6591.
The Monarch Waystation Program is operated by Monarch Watch,
which is based out of the University of Kansas. The goal of the program is to
provide habitat for Monarch Butterflies (and other pollinators)
throughout their life cycle and to suitable stopping points for them
during their annual migrations across North America. To be certified as a Monarch Waystation, a garden or other property must provide plants that serve as larval hosts and nectar sources.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) caterpillars feed only on plants in the Milkweed family. The garden at the Discovery Museum currently has two species of Milkweed: Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Common Milkweed (A. syriaca). For nectar plants, a variety of species can be planted - I recommend species like Asters and Goldenrods that are in bloom during the Monarchs' fall migration period as well as other species that bloom throughout the growing season.
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