It's Early Autumn
Libertytown, MD
Near the Carroll & Frederick County Border
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I had a wetland related job today in Carroll County and here are a few photos of
what's in flower or seed. |
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New England Aster, Aster novae-angeliae. |
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I've seen blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica (FACW+) dozens of times,
but only a plant here or there. Today I found an aggregate of over 40
individual plants at the edge of a soy bean field and stream. |
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A close-up of blue lobelia, surrounded by goldenrod (dark, intense yellow),
reed canary grass, smartweed (white), sundrops (bright yellow) and New York
Ironweed (purple). Nice floral display.
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Spotted knapweed, Centaurea maculosa is a non-native, nuisance weed,
similar to thistle. |
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Climbing hempweed, Mikania scandens (FAWW+) vine has gone to seed. |
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Spotted touch-me-not,
Impatiens capensis
(FACW) in flower and 'exploding' seed pods. The flower can
have very little to lots of red spots, which have been determined to
be a 'guide' to attract pollinators. Not only is the stem
juice a good antidote for poison ivy, the anti-inflammatory
properties are very similar to what is found in Preparation-H.
Therefore jewelweed juice is also good for bee stings, other insect
bites and itchy butt.
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Bur cucumber, Sicyos angulatus (FACU) is a native, annual vine that is
in the same family as pickles, squash and melons. The seeds have barbed
bristles that easily penetrate clothes and painfully imbed into the skin, just
like stinging nettle, which also occurs on-site. |
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Yellow coneflower, Ratibida pinnata with its characteristic drooping
flower leaves, and which has nothing to do with the fact that we are in a
regional drought. |
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