tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32653363768978520832024-03-13T17:43:00.122-04:00Prickly and BitterA cornucopia of botanical musingsJen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-10859565293180189812014-08-08T19:03:00.000-04:002014-08-08T19:15:11.050-04:00In Memoriam: Dr. John Lott 1943-2014This morning I received (OK, actually last night, but I didn't open it until this morning) an e-mail from my Alma Mater, McMaster University, about their new Department of Biology Alum newsletter. "What a great idea!" I thought. A way to catch up on what's been happening in the department since I graduated, which wasn't actually all that long ago, and to keep up to date for years to come. "I wonder if they ever did the Life Sciences Building reno and expansion? This newsletter should talk about it! Yay!" I thought. Instead, on page 2, I got quite a shock: my favourite professor from my undergraduate degree and arguably the single entity in my life that has directed me down the path I'm now taking, passed away earlier this year. Let's back up a bit...<br />
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Back when I started my undergrad degree at Mac, there was one really, REALLY annoying prerequisite for all students registered in a Biology program (didn't matter what program you were in, everyone took the same four courses in second year mixed with any other courses you wanted as electives to fill the gaps): Plant Biodiversity. UGH. I seriously HAVE to learn about plants?! You're kidding. Well, I guess all I have to do is pass. Preferably do more than pass, but that's a bare minimum. KILL ME if I have to do this a second time. Stupid plants. As you can see...I was pretty naive about the plant kingdom before this class started. Off I go to class on the first day, dreading that it's going to be just the. worst. thing. ever. In walks this medium-height older man, very pleasant-looking, kinda reminds me of that stereotypical grandfather image. Wearing a sweater-vest over a dress shirt, tie under his vest, glasses, balding on the top, hair that he has left is grey, carrying a leather briefcase built in 1964 (interestingly, the same year his car was built...but I'll save that for later). Dr. Lott introduced himself, and then promptly walked out the back door onto the loading dock. Huh? Well...that was a quick class. None of us were quite sure what to do (the overhead projector was still on, of course, so it didn't look like we should leave...), so we just sat there looking at each other. He walks back into the room carrying the stalk of this GINORMOUS plant that he grew in his garden over the summer, wearing gloves, and waiving it around. He told us a bit about the plant, a little snapshot of what we would learn about in the course, without ever mentioning the name and then went back outside and put it down (where his wife was guarding it, as we later learned). Then he comes back into the room, still wearing gloves, and takes some petri dishes out of his briefcase. Takes the lid off of each of them, and offers them to the students in the front row (note to self: sit in the front row next class). He asks the guy sitting on the end in the 2nd row to go up to the board and tally the votes for left hand vs. right hand so the class can keep track of the voting (of course, guy in the second row IMMEDIATELY jumps out of his chair. There is no crossing Dr. Lott...he might give you the general reminder of your grandpa, but there's also this unmistakable "do not mess with this man" feeling as well). Dr. Lott then told the class that one petri dish of seeds (apparently they were seeds! See? Sit in the front row!) came from the gigantic plant he just showed us, while the other came from the grocery store. The question: which one would you eat? He went from student to student in the front row, who looked in each dish and chose either the one on the left or the one on the right. The vote: 18-2 for the seeds on the left. The verdict: 18 people would be dead. And that, friends, is why taxonomy and plant identification is important.<br />
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You'd better believe I was hooked from that day forward.<br />
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The second (and only other course he taught) course I took with Dr. Lott was when I was in fourth year and it was about plant cell ultrastructure, and we learned a whole lot about plant cell organelles, how they work, and what happens when things go wrong. The other cool thing we got to do (well, novelty factor at the time) was use different types of microscopes to document different levels of plant organization. I got to use a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) to photograph a dividing onion root tip cell, and a radish cell to photograph the Golgi apparatus. Then a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to photograph a "textured plant organ" that we brought in from home. I chose the leaf of one of my begonia plants in my window in residence because it had a lot of surface hairs and an acorn cap I found on the ground on campus. After that we learned all about the organization of tissues in the plant, and we got to take a panel of pictures that would be representative of the plant section that we were given using a regular light microscope. My partner Christine and I were given a plant stem, so I had to photograph 6 different views at different magnifications to give a representative panel of what we were looking at and any unique features. Things like how the vascular system is arranged in the stem, an individual vascular bundle, unique or unusual cells we found while scanning around, etc. I still have all of these pictures framed and hanging on my wall at home, 8 years later. This course was a novelty to me because who still uses microscopes these days?! I mean...come on. The TEM and SEM were fun because they were multi-million dollar machines, but seriously?! A light microscope? Come on. No one uses those still to see anything except undergrads in first year biology labs. Pfft. Spoiler alert: 75% of the data obtained for my PhD has come from...a light microscope. If it wasn't for that course, I would have been totally, completely, hopelessly lost the first time my supervisor asked me to prepare a slide.<br />
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One more story: Dr. Lott's car. One day during that plant cell ultrastructure course, Dr. Lott comes in looking somewhat visibly distraught. Someone in the class asked him what was wrong, and he said that the day had finally come to replace his car and he was not looking forward to it. We got him to talk a bit about his car; turns out it was a 1960-something (pretty sure it was a '64, but my memory might be playing tricks on me) Cadillac. Yep, that's one old car. A lovely car, but an old car. He decided that because Cadillac was so good to him for 40 years, he should buy another. So he went to his local Cadillac dealer to take a look at what they have. He decides on a car to test-drive, the guy at the dealership gets the demo car ready for him, and he drives it around the block a couple of times. Likes it. Buys it. Then gets told about all of the fancy features that come with the car...and that's where he starts to panic a bit. Something to keep in mind about Dr. Lott: he was so very old-school. When he taught, he used: a) posters, b) the chalk board, and c) overhead slides. When he had to submit his grades to the department, he typed them up on his electronic typewriter and gave them to the departmental secretary (who didn't have the heart to tell him that's not the kind of "typed grades" they meant). If he had to give a presentation at a conference, he had one of his students put together a powerpoint for him and teach him how to use the buttons. Why is this relevant? The guy at the dealership told him there were computers in his new car that would ensure it was running smoothly, and would send e-mails to his home if something needed checking by the service department (he was, I think, describing the OnStar system to him). A man who had essentially never touched a computer in his life now had MULTIPLE computers in his car. He was most concerned about how long he had to wait for Windows to boot. In class we (I use "we" loosely...I have no idea how computers in a car work, but other people in the room definitely did) explained to him that it wasn't a personal computer and that there was no waiting for Windows to boot before he could drive. I think he was relieved. A few weeks later we asked him how he liked his new car and he went on for almost half the class about how much he loved it. He was happy, and I guess that's all that mattered in the end!<br />
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So this blog is about plants...right.<br />
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That very first plant that I learned about in Biology 2D03 "Plant Biodiversity" at McMaster University? The castor bean plant. I learned that not everything should be touched before you know what it is ("look with your eyes, not your hands!"), that plants can kill you if you're not careful, that many of our medicines come from plants, and that plant identification is an important skill. What I didn't realize until much later was that this plant was near and dear to Dr. Lott's heart because that was where he spent a major portion of his career: examining the different elements and compounds present in castor bean seeds. He grew some of his "experimental populations" for seeds in his back yard, looking at how different varieties reacted under different growing conditions. Castor bean plants have, since then, always held a special place in my heart and brain. So I present, in memory of Dr. Lott: a blog about the castor bean plant.<br />
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Ricinus communis</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>Castor bean plant, castor oil plant<br />
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<b>Location: </b>pictures 1-3 from Xenomorph on Dave's Garden (available <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/357644/" target="_blank">HERE</a>), picture 4 from ineedacupoftea on Dave's Garden (available <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/91866/" target="_blank">HERE</a>), and picture 5 from zest on Dave's Garden (available <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/194535/" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<br />
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The castor bean plant isn't a bean at all. It's in the Euphorb or the spurge family, which explains the white, milky latex that exudes from wounds in the plant stem and leaves (nearly all members of this family do this; in fact, I can't think of a single plant in this family that doesn't but I'm sure they exist). In many species this latex is toxic, and this plant is no exception. The castor bean plant is native to the Mediterranean basin in Europe and northern Africa, but is now widespread around the world as an ornamental species. In North America it does quite well, but our cold winters here in Ontario kill the plant during the winter. A bit further south, where the winter isn't as severe, this plant could set seed and the seeds would produce a new generation the next year. As you can imagine, this does pose a problem if it does get away, and may become invasive in some areas in the southern United States.<br />
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The castor bean plant is a "superplant" when it comes to the growth it is capable of within a single growing year. The plant in the fourth photograph above is of a full-grown adult male (the picture caption by the photographer says he's 5'10"), and a castor bean plant that was planted from seed in May of that year (the picture was taken on November 1st). A single growing season, and the plant is nearly three times his height. This isn't unusual, nor is it even remarkable as far as this species goes...that's a "day in the life of a castor bean plant". What is remarkable is that it can grow even taller than that under optimal conditions; as much as 39 feet in a single growing season. As yourself how many other plants you've ever seen grow THIRTY NINE FEET in only 7 months. That's insane. Insane! The lower leaves on this plant would be absolutely enormous, and if they didn't contain skin-irritating latex they would make excellent impromptu umbrellas if you ever get caught in the rain.<br />
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No matter what anyone tells you, this plant is incredibly dangerous and should absolutely be respected should you ever come across it. In fact, in 2007 the Guinness Book of World Records named this plant the "Most Toxic Plant in the World". The latex produced from the plant itself is pretty benign, but if you have sensitive skin you will definitely want to cover up before coming into contact with the plant. Burning it is also not a good idea; the smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs, and in those with sensitivities can cause severe allergic reactions. There are neurotoxic compounds in the latex, but you would have to be exposed in great quantity in order for this to be a real health risk (farm workers harvesting this plant for oil in India and Brazil, the world's two largest growers of the castor bean plant, are at great risk). That in itself would be a good reason to keep kids away from it, but if that's not enough then here's one more reason: four measly seeds (each one about 1 cm across) is enough to kill an adult human. The seed coats are incredibly toxic, as is the layer of "bean" (the cotyledons of the plant, or the seed and storage leaves) directly under the seed coat. Peeling this off is not enough to completely get rid of these toxic chemicals; they are also present in the seed itself in lower concentrations. The toxin in this plant is probably the reason why the Latin name sounds so familiar to you, even if you've never come in contact with this plant before: this is where we get ricin. If seeds are consumed, the progression to death caused by ricin doesn't sound very pleasant: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, seizures, severe dehydration, confusion, delirium, extreme sweating, burning of the mouth and throat, severe abdominal pain, and a racing heartbeat. The symptoms don't start until about 36 hours after ingestion (except in very high concentrations of pure ricin extract, where the onset is 2-4 hours after ingestion), and can last up to ONE WEEK before death. A whole week! Don't mess with this plant. Seriously.<br />
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All that being said, there is still some serious promise for this plant's use in medicine. Alcohol extracts from the leaves and seeds (a method of extraction that does not select for ricin) has shown promise in treating bacterial and fungal infections, protecting the liver against various toxins, as an antihistamine, an anti-asthmatic, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Not too shabby if you ask me! It also has shown some promise as an analgesic, but it's difficult to determine if the pain relief comes from the paralysis of the central nervous system that arises from poisoning from this plant, or if it's a stand-alone effect. Much, much more research is needed before we ever take capsules of castor bean extract!<br />
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Castor oil is an important plant extract used in a huge variety of ways. It is a great lubricating oil, and has been used in combustion engines since the First World War. It is currently used in cosmetics, as a biodiesel fuel, and in its processed form in the chocolate industry as a substitute for cocoa butter (a use for this plant that will likely drastically increase over time with the ever-increasing cost of cocoa). There are also many medicinal uses of castor oil, which no longer contains the ricin once present in the seeds (when the oil is heated to its boiling point, the ricin protein is denatured and is no longer toxic). It can be used as a laxative, showing that it is indeed still toxic to some extent or else your body wouldn't be trying so hard to get rid of it! There are some claims that rubbing castor oil on your skin can cure cancer, but this is a load of rubbish. It has never been shown to have any effect on tumor size in any kind of animal (or even cell line) study. Don't fall for this stuff!<br />
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Moral of the story: castor bean plants might look pretty (their seed pods are pretty spectacular!), but they can be very, very dangerous plants. Be careful with them if you grow them!<br />
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Earlier this year, McMaster published a tribute to Dr. Lott on their Department of Biology website. You can read all about Dr. Lott and his accomplishments <a href="http://www.biology.mcmaster.ca/john-lott-1943-2014/uncategorised/john-lott-1943-2014" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you'd like. My favourite part is at the very end, where they talk about his philosophy towards students:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Students had a special place in John’s attitude to the responsibility of teaching – and mentoring – and drawing out the best a student had to offer – which he achieved by his patient and warm encouragement and by the implicit understanding John showed, that students were not different – only younger and a little less experienced.</span>"</span><br />
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Thanks for the memories, Dr. Lott. You have helped create who I am today and showed me that those "boring green things" not only had value in my life, but were actually incredibly cool. Your philosophy towards teaching is something I have adopted in my own teaching style, and now every time I look up at my TEM photographs of my root cell in mitosis, I'll have even more fond memories of my time in your classes.Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-3475683483457076982014-08-06T15:01:00.001-04:002014-08-06T15:05:40.601-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: August 6Here's my newest update to my garden list! I've spent very little time in the herbarium over the last couple of weeks (conflicting schedules and all), so it will probably be a couple of weeks before I update it again with more stuff. Seems like during the summer, when there are no students around, is when everyone is busiest dealing with administrative stuff having to do with students. Ha. The never ending cycle! It's August already...geez. Where does the time go?!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The legend:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>bold text </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jen's Garden List 2014:</span></u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>121. Sow thistle (<i>Sonchus asper</i>)</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">120. Pickerelweed (<i>Pontederia cordata</i>): read all about my favourite aquatic plant, pickerelweed, <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/is-population-of-pickerelweed-in-pickle.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>119. Bigleaf hydrangea (<i>Hydrangea macrophylla</i>): read all about the colour-changing abilities of the bigleaf hydrangea <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/the-bigleaf-of-hydrangea-world.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">118. Staghorn sumac (<i>Rhus typhina</i>)*</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>117. False spirea (a different kind!), false goat's-beard (<i>Sorbaria sorbifolia</i>)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>116. Purple daylily (<i>Hemerocallis </i>sp., unknown cultivar)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>115. Creeping bellflower (<i>Campanula rapunculoides</i>)*: read all about the invasive creeping bellflower <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-creepy-sneaky-bellflower.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">114. Purple coneflower (<i>Echinacea purpurea</i>): read all about echinacea <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/can-this-prevent-you-from-catching-cold.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>113. Clematis, traveler's joy (<i>Clematis x jacksonii</i>): read all about clematis <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-joy-for-travellers-to-see.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>112. Cliff stonecrop (<i>Sedum cauticola </i>or also <i>Hylotelephium cauticola</i>): read all about the cliff or showy stonecrop <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/stone-cold-stonecrops.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>111. Lemon thyme (<i>Thymus citriodorus</i> 'Lemon Supreme')</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">110. A "Division VII Lily hybrid" that is slowly being strangled out by other plants (<i>Lilium </i>hybrid; likely <i>L. auratum x L. speciosum</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">109. Scottish bluebell, bellflower (<i>Campanula rotundifolia</i>): read all about a Scottish bluebell hybrid <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-scottish-bluebell-but-not-british.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">108. Lamb's ear (<i>Stachys byzantina</i>)*: read all about Lamb's ear and why it might be important in medicine <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/do-lambs-ears-hold-key-to-multi-drug.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">107. Enchanter's nightshade (<i>Circaea quadrisulcata</i>)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">106. Chives (<i>Allium schoenoprasum</i>)*: don't worry; these are in a pot, not directly in the ground! :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">105. A different false spirea (<i>Astilbe x arendsii </i>'Peach Blossom')</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">104. Chinese astilbe or false spirea (<i>Astilbe x chinensis </i>'Rise & Shine'): read about one variety of Chinese astilbe (or false spirea) <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-false-spiraea.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">103. English lavender (<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>): read all about lavender <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/lovely-lavender.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">102. Common black nightshade (<i>Solanum nigrum</i>)*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">101. Ostrich fern (<i>Matteuccia struthiopteris</i>)*</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">100. Japanese painted fern (<i>Athyrium niponicum</i>): read all about Japanese painted ferns <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/artistic-ferns.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">99. Clinton's wood fern (<i>Dryopteris clintoniana</i>)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">98. Nipplewort (<i>Lapsana communis</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">97. Gray chickweed (<i>Cerastium brachypetalum</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">96. Field bindweed (<i>Convolvulus arvensis</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">95. Lady's-thumb (<i>Polygonum persicaria</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">94. Japanese spirea #2 (<i>Spiraea japonica</i> 'Norman'): read all about spireas <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/spiraea-one-of-top-potential-invasive.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">93. Bittersweet nightshade (<i>Solanum dulcamara</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">92. Helleborine (<i>Epipactis helleborine</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">91. Daylily (<i>Hemerocallis </i>sp. 'Bertie Ferris'): read all about daylilies and the umpteen different cultivars available starting <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/search/label/Hemerocallis%20sp." style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> (at the bottom of the page, press "older posts" to read previous blog posts on the same topic).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">90. Japanese spirea #1 (<i>Spiraea japonica </i>'Golden Princess')</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">89. Sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>): read all about sugar maple trees <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/canadas-national-tree.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/sticks-sticks-sticks.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">88. Rough avens (<i>Geum virginianum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">87. Wormseed or Treacle mustard (<i>Erysimum cheiranthoides</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">86. Maiden pink (<i>Dianthus deltoides</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">85. Broadleaf, greater or common plantain (<i>Plantago major</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">84. Black grass (<i>Juncus gerardii</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">83. Candlestick fungus (<i>Xylaria hypoxylon</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">82. Muller's pouchwort (<i>Calypogeia muelleriana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">81. Indian feather moss (<i>Timmia megapolitana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">80. Wood clitocybe (<i>Pseudoarmillariella ectypoides</i> or formerly called <i>Clitocybe ectypoides</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">79. Yellow-cracked pholiota (<i>Pholiota granulosa</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">78. Another fungus without a common name... (<i>Stropharia thrausta</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">77. Red sweet pepper (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Capsicum annuum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">); not collected for the same reason as tomatoes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">76. Tomato (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Solanum lycopersicum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">); not collected because I like eating tomatoes, not squishing tomatoes between newspaper sheets!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">75. At least four different cultivars of garden roses (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Rosa </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.; many are unknown cultivars): you can read all about roses </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-story-of-champlain-rose-hybrid.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/junes-official-flower-rose.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">74. Yellow daylily (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hemerocallis flava</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">73. Meadow cranesbill (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Geranium pratense</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">72. Woolly thyme (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, also known as</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Thymus praecox </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>brittanicus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">71. Dog-strangling vine (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vincetoxicum rossicum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">70. White clover (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Trifolium repens</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">69. Red pine (<i>Pinus resinosa </i>dwarf variety): read all about red pines <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-little-sister-pine.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">68. Glossy buckthorn (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Rhamnus frangula</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">67. Flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cornus kousa</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the flowering dogwood </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/these-flowers-arent-for-dogs.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">66. Climbing hydrangea (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hydrangea petiolaris</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the climbing hydrangea </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/climbing-hydrangea.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">65. Yellow flag iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris pseudacorus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the yellow flag iris </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-fleur-de-lis-really-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">64. Japanese iris, blood iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris sanguinea</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the blood iris </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/non-bloody-blood-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">63. Siberian iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris sibirica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">62. Common garden peony, Chinese peony (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Paeonia lactiflora </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">hybrid of unknown parentage): read all about peonies </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/flower-of-chinese-warriors.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">61. Weak arctic sedge (<i>Carex supina</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">60. Least hop clover (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Trifolium dubium</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">59. Garden weigela, wine and roses weigela, old fashioned weigela, or any number of other common names used for this species (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Weigela florida</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> 'Alexandra'): read all about the "catnip shrub" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-weigela-new-catnip.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">58. Little gem cotoneaster (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cotoneaster adpressus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">57. Purple creeping woodsorrel (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Oxalis corniculata </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">var.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>atropurpurea</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">56. Littleleaf lilac (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Syringa pubescens </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>microphylla</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, formerly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Syringa microphylla</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the littleleaf lilac </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/littleleaf-of-lilac-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">55. Common or Philadelphia fleabane (<i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">54. Red osier dogwood (<i>Cornus sericea</i>): read all about the red osier dogwood <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-red-osier-dogwood.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">53. Blue dogbane (<i>Amsonia tabernaemontana</i>): read all about dogbane <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bitter-bane-of-dogs.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">52. Hemlock waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe/Hygrophorus</i> sp.; a fungus without a published name [yet] that I discovered in my back yard growing under, you guessed it, hemlock trees)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">51. Spring psathyrella (<i>Psathyrella pseudovernalis</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">50. A fungus without a common name... (<i>Hygrophorus camarophyllus</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">49. Rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">48. Canada bluegrass (<i>Poa compressa</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">47. Alpine pogonatum moss (<i>Pogonatum alpinum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">46. Contorted hairy cap moss (<i>Pogonatum contortum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">45. Cluster crumblecap (<i>Psathyrella hydrophila</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44. Annual blue grass (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Poa annua</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">43. Mouse-ear chickweed (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cerastium vulgatum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">41. Lily-of-the-valley (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Convallaria majalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum</i> or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">39. Bugle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Ajuga reptans</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Galium odoratum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens</i> or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">33. Purple plum (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Prunus cerasifera </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Thundercloud')</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">32. Fivestamen chickweed (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30. Yellow alyssum (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Aurinia saxatilis </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">or its other name</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Alyssum saxatilae</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Barbarea vulgaris</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28. Garlic mustard (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Alliaria petiolata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about garlic mustard </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">27. Lungwort (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about lungworts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">26. Common dandelion (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Taraxacum officinale</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about dandelions </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">25. Fortune's spindle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Euonymus fortunei</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">24. Violet lesser periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'La Grave')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">22. Creeping woodsorrel (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Oxalis corniculata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">21. Bleeding hearts (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about bleeding hearts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">20. Field pansy (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Viola kitaibeliana</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">19. Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): red all about moss phlox <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18. Mountain rock cress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Arabis alpina </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>caucasica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">17. Norway spruce (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Picea abies</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the Norway spruce </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Tulipa </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.): read all about tulips </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about hyacinths </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Narcissus </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.): read all about daffodils </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">13. Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">12. Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or sometimes called <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Viola odorata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Tussilago farfara</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">9. Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Veronica arvensis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">7. Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">6. Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Scilla siberica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Argenteovariegata')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Atropurpurea')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca major</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cardamine hirsuta</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My favourite aquatic plant, pickerelweed. I love the little yellow dots on the top petals of the flowers, and the way the seeds develop is downright fascinating!</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Creeping bellflowers have established themselves quite nicely (rather, not very nicely if you ever want to remove them) at the side of the garden. I'll be the first to admit these are unfortunately a very attractive invasive species; one that is widely planted as an ornamental species.</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-82363857578152543152014-07-27T12:15:00.000-04:002014-07-27T12:15:19.258-04:00BLOG RERUN: Dr. Jane Bowles, a great botanist, friend and mentorThis blog post was originally posted on July 30th, 2013 in memory of Dr. Jane Bowles, the Herbarium Curator and Director of the Arboretum at Western University in London, Ontario. There are very few weeks that go by that I don't think of Jane, and I've even caught myself thinking "I have no idea what this plant is; I'll ask Jane when she gets back" like she's only out for coffee or something. Gone too fast and too young; I don't think I'm alone when I say she is dearly missed.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Species name:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Acacia tortilis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Common name:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">umbrella acacia, Israeli babool (in Swahili:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>mgunga</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>mugumba</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">or</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>munga</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Location:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">all photos from Dave's Garden (photo 1 by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/336006/" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">DMersh</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, photo 2 by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/336005/" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">DMersh</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, and photo 3 by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/237355/" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">palmbob</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">You might be wondering why I'm featuring this plant in my blog today; for a full explanation you can scroll down to the bottom of this blog post past the next plant profile. Umbrella acacia trees are probably one of the first plants that come to mind when you think of Africa. They are for me at least! They have an enormous native range, reaching from the north all the way to the south of Africa and into the Middle East. When I think of the African savannah, this is by far the first tree (and sometimes the only tree; I'll be the first to admit that my African botany knowledge is quite limited!) that comes to mind.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The umbrella acacia actually looks rarely like an umbrella when grown in cultivation. Because it is so extremely drought tolerant, it is often grown in climates where the type of ecosystem that prevails for most of the year is a dry, sandy desert. Here, the umbrella acacia looks more like an acacia with a bad hair day, and is very straggly and wiry. It is only when the young seedlings are exposed to large amounts of rain that the trees end up developing into the typical umbrella-shape that is so characteristic of the African savannah. That, and grazing animals that force the tree into that shape couldn't hurt; this tree is one of the preferred food sources of giraffes. The "umbrella" of the canopy begins where the branches are just out of reach from the giraffes and everything below that point is eaten away. That's not the only animal that eats the umbrella acacia: humans have also used this tree as a source of gum arabic (added to many, many food items), and the seed pods are used for various herbal medicines. The seeds may be eaten by humans but are rich in tannins so are usually avoided (but may be used as a source of natural dye instead!), however other grazing animals like small mammals or birds eat these seeds as a rich (and rare) source of protein and fat.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">There are quite a few products made from the wood of this tree, and is one of the reasons why it is grown so much in cultivation in Africa and the Middle East. The wood is very important for fine woodworking products like wagon wheels and furniture, as well as raw lumber for fenceposts and animal pens. The tabernacle, built by Israelites in the Old Testament, was also exclusively built from wood of the umbrella acacia so it has important religious significance as well. It also has very high significance to more than 20 different groups of people (either groups defined by language, linguistic dialects, country lines, or cultural beliefs), but the most important of which for the purposes of this blog post is that it's the National Tree of Kenya.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Species name:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Stylophorum diphyllum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Common name:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">wood poppy, Celandine poppy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Location:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/296500/" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dave's Garden -- DaylilySLP</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I think this is probably the only critically endangered wildflower species that I've ever personally seen in Ontario. When I saw it I didn't realize what it was or how important it was, so I didn't bother photographing it despite having my camera with me. Next time! There are only three populations in Ontario, which is the most northern part of its native range (which extends into the United States and is still quite limited; it is now only a small fragment of what it used to be), ranging in population size from 42 individual plants to about 270 individual plants (at last reassessment in 2007). It is a victim of land use change (converting forests to agricultural land) and invasive understory species (like garlic mustard, which you can read all about</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">), which continue to threaten the last three populations in Canada.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Wood poppies are similar to bloodroot, another native species which grows on the forest floor in southwestern Ontario (which you can read all about</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/bloodroot-native-north-american.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">), in that they produce a rhizome in their first year of growth, and use the sugars stored in that rhizome to produce leaves every spring. The rhizome of one plant isn't nearly as long-lived as in bloodroot, with the lifespan of the average rhizome only being about 5 years. The plant rarely produces flowers in its first year of growth (except in cultivation; it has become a popular garden plant over the last decade or so), so it is sometimes mistaken for other wildflower species during that first year. The seed pods that the plant produces are very unusual and are far larger than you would expect from a plant as small as this one (rarely growing more than 20 cm off the ground) and also share seed characteristics with bloodroot. The seeds are produced with a fleshy, fatty outer covering called an elaiosome which attracts ants. The ants take the small seeds and carry them away to their underground chambers where they use the elaiosome as a rich food source, then discard the seeds when they are finished. The seeds then germinate the next spring and grow up through the ground to produce new plants. This ant-plant dispersal relationship is called myrmecochory. Other animals, if given the chance, will also consume the seeds (seeds were found in great numbers in mouse droppings near one of the remaining populations in Ontario).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Medicinally, despite having close relatives that produce morphine and codeine, this plant has no value. It does contain some alkaloids that may prove useful in some medicinal sense in the future, but right now there is no documented medical use of this plant either currently or historically as an Native North American herbal medicine. The alkaloid cocktail in the plant is more than likely toxic to humans, so avoiding grazing on the leaves if you grow this plant in your garden would be strongly suggested. Wearing gloves when gardening around this plant is also suggested, as the sap from the plant may irritate sensitive skin.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Unfortunately, the fact that this plant is now grown in cultivation and the source of these plants is not a native source (which is actually a good thing; wild-harvesting of this plant in Canada is illegal and would be extremely detrimental to the few plants left in the wild) means there is now the risk of genetically contaminating the remaining plants. The populations in Canada had their DNA sequenced and compared to the US populations and it was shown that these three populations are genetically distinct from their American counterparts. This doesn't mean there was enough difference for them to be considered different species, but there was enough of a difference for it to be noteworthy. When the pollen of a foreign population mixes with the ova of a native population to make seeds, the foreign DNA from the pollen contaminates the native population, effectively creating "genetic hybrids" of both populations. Since plants in cultivation are usually much more susceptible to disease than their wild counterparts, this could be really bad news for our last three native populations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So why these two plants, you might be wondering? Well, these were the two plants I could best think of to commemorate the loss of a great botanist, my friend and mentor, Dr. Jane M. Bowles.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Jane grew up in Kenya, and some of the stories she shared about her childhood there are out of this world and beyond belief for someone that has lived in Canada their whole life (can you imagine growing up with a lion living in your front yard?! Mind-boggling to me!). She went to school in England, then moved to Canada to complete her PhD in botany about sand dune ecology at Pinery Provincial Park. Since the completion of her PhD, Jane was an adjunct professor in both Biology and Geography at Western and, most recently, the curator of the herbarium and the director of the arboretum.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I first met Jane at the field station associated with Western when I was out there with my supervisor searching for fungi in the woodlot at the back of the property. My supervisor introduced Jane as the curator of the herbarium (assuming I knew what a herbarium was; I was thinking "herbari-what?!"), and we went on our merry way. It wasn't until a couple of months later that I realized that, aside from my supervisor, Jane would probably be the single most important person (well, aside from myself, too, obviously) involved in the successful completion of my PhD. I rely so heavily on herbarium loans to look at historical mushroom specimens that I would have been completely lost without her. Not to mention that Jane was universally loved and respected by all herbarium curators around the world; with her as my primary source of communication to other herbaria I would have no problem having a loan in my possession two, three, sometimes four times longer than the period of time I was actually given. If you think that's bad it's not; it's not unheard of to have herbarium loans for 10 years or more!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Over the last 6 years I would say that Jane and I had become friends. I always knew I could count on her to provide me with a laugh thanks to her biting sense of humour, I could count on her for a swift kick in the bum to get myself in gear when I asked for it, and give me some helpful tips on how not to lose my sanity along the way. I would also say that her love for plants inspired me to grow to love them (sorry for the pun...actually, not sorry. That was carefully planned!), too. She taught me about the importance of native species, and drilled into my head the dangers of invasive non-native species. She opened my eyes to a whole new world of Biology: being a naturalist, and helping preserve the world for what it currently is and not try to change it to be what we want it to become to "improve our life" (it's often too late when we realize that having a giant forest was perhaps a bit better than yet another strip mall...).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Earlier this year, Jane was diagnosed with cancer. On Saturday, July 27th 2013, Jane lost her fight at Victoria Hospital. There won't be a day that goes by where I won't think of her, not a week that goes by during the rest of my time at Western that I won't remember one of her tidbits she told me, and not a year that goes by where I won't be reminded of what an amazing lady Jane was.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Goodbye, Jane. May your memory live on, and may you continue to inspire young impressionable scientists such as myself to become one with nature forever.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlLfGu7kxW4/UfgcQrHiu8I/AAAAAAAAF10/LEubHIYhAII/s1600/2013_Jul30h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #1d9953; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlLfGu7kxW4/UfgcQrHiu8I/AAAAAAAAF10/LEubHIYhAII/s320/2013_Jul30h.jpg" height="320" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #9af7bf; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(29, 153, 83); border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(29, 153, 83); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(29, 153, 83); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(29, 153, 83); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Jane was known for her amazing artistic abilities; this is one of her drawings </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>of the wood poppy, which she drew for her co-authored species status report </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(you can read the most recent version <a href="http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr%5Fwood%5Fpoppy%5F0808%5Fe%2Epdf" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</i></span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-43341487880416358292014-07-21T12:43:00.000-04:002014-07-21T12:43:35.295-04:00Some Fun News and a Garden List 2014 Update: July 21I feel like I haven't updated my garden list in forever! Two weeks ago I didn't get a chance to spend any time in the herbarium, so I didn't have any new updates from that week. Then last week, I finally got to identify and glue to my little heart's desire! :) Yay!<br />
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As I mentioned a while ago, my blog has been syndicated by Science Borealis, a website that compiles blogs by Canadians about science (you can read my previous blog post about it <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2014/01/a-new-development-cool-blog-posted-by.html">HERE</a>). Weekly, the editors also write a blog post about their topic that they're an editor for (so, for example, the editor for Climate Change would blog about that, the one for Physics would write a blog about cool and exciting things in Physics, etc.). This week was Kim Moynahan's turn to write an editor post, and she's the editor for the Science in Society subject. The blog post is about Summertime Science, and I'm one of the lucky bloggers that is featured in it! Go me! There's also mention of some pretty cool research in fungal taxonomy to come out of Kew, some cool fish facts, interesting stuff about algae, and a Quirks and Quarks mention! Go check it out! You can read the blog post <a href="http://blog.scienceborealis.ca/summertime-science/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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One more slightly-off-topic news item: I'm proud to say I have just completed my first stint as a "Science, Botany and Mycology Consultant" for a video produced by 3 Ring Video about Sifton Bog here in London. The video is short, only about 3 minutes long, but is jam-packed with awesome facts about why the Bog is so cool and to entice you to visit it. I'm really proud of the finished product, and I think Pam and Michael Clark did an absolutely fantastic job with it. You should watch it! The video is available <a href="http://vimeo.com/101200032" target="_blank">HERE</a> to view. If you're ever in the London area, make sure you visit it! Just a few short minutes from Downtown, and it's like you're stepping into another universe. Remember the rules of the Environmentally Significant Areas: dogs must be on leash and stay on the boardwalk, no biking, you can't pick flowers (or berries, or mushrooms no matter how tasty they look), and don't litter!<br />
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Here's my Garden List 2014 update for this week. Lots of neat stuff to add, including three fern species! I thought for the longest time we only had two in the garden, but lo and behold a third one pops up. Makes me wonder how many other "secret ferns" we have growing under the trees...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The legend:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>bold text </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jen's Garden List 2014:</span></u></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>110. A "Division VII Lily hybrid" that is slowly being strangled out by other plants (<i>Lilium </i>hybrid; likely <i>L. auratum x L. speciosum</i>)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>109. Scottish bluebell, bellflower (<i>Campanula rotundifolia</i>): read all about a Scottish bluebell hybrid <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-scottish-bluebell-but-not-british.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>108. Lamb's ear (<i>Stachys byzantina</i>)*: read all about Lamb's ear and why it might be important in medicine <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/do-lambs-ears-hold-key-to-multi-drug.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">107. Enchanter's nightshade (<i>Circaea quadrisulcata</i>)</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>106. Chives (<i>Allium schoenoprasum</i>)*: don't worry; these are in a pot, not directly in the ground! :)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>105. A different false spirea (<i>Astilbe x arendsii </i>'Peach Blossom')</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>104. Chinese astilbe or false spirea (<i>Astilbe x chinensis </i>'Rise & Shine'): read about one variety of Chinese astilbe (or false spirea) <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-false-spiraea.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>103. English lavender (<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i>): read all about lavender <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/lovely-lavender.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>102. Common black nightshade (<i>Solanum nigrum</i>)*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">101. Ostrich fern (<i>Matteuccia struthiopteris</i>)*</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>100. Japanese painted fern (<i>Athyrium niponicum</i>): read all about Japanese painted ferns <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/artistic-ferns.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">99. Clinton's wood fern (<i>Dryopteris clintoniana</i>)</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">98. Nipplewort (<i>Lapsana communis</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">97. Gray chickweed (<i>Cerastium brachypetalum</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">96. Field bindweed (<i>Convolvulus arvensis</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">95. Lady's-thumb (<i>Polygonum persicaria</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">94. Japanese spirea #2 (<i>Spiraea japonica</i> 'Norman'): read all about spireas <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/spiraea-one-of-top-potential-invasive.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">93. Bittersweet nightshade (<i>Solanum dulcamara</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">92. Helleborine (<i>Epipactis helleborine</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">91. Daylily (<i>Hemerocallis </i>sp. 'Bertie Ferris'): read all about daylilies and the umpteen different cultivars available starting <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/search/label/Hemerocallis%20sp." style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> (at the bottom of the page, press "older posts" to read previous blog posts on the same topic).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">90. Japanese spirea #1 (<i>Spiraea japonica </i>'Golden Princess')</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">89. Sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>): read all about sugar maple trees <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/canadas-national-tree.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/sticks-sticks-sticks.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">88. Rough avens (<i>Geum virginianum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">87. Wormseed or Treacle mustard (<i>Erysimum cheiranthoides</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">86. Maiden pink (<i>Dianthus deltoides</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">85. Broadleaf, greater or common plantain (<i>Plantago major</i>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">84. Black grass (<i>Juncus gerardii</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">83. Candlestick fungus (<i>Xylaria hypoxylon</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">82. Muller's pouchwort (<i>Calypogeia muelleriana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">81. Indian feather moss (<i>Timmia megapolitana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">80. Wood clitocybe (<i>Pseudoarmillariella ectypoides</i> or formerly called <i>Clitocybe ectypoides</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">79. Yellow-cracked pholiota (<i>Pholiota granulosa</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">78. Another fungus without a common name... (<i>Stropharia thrausta</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">77. Red sweet pepper (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Capsicum annuum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">); not collected for the same reason as tomatoes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">76. Tomato (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Solanum lycopersicum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">); not collected because I like eating tomatoes, not squishing tomatoes between newspaper sheets!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">75. At least four different cultivars of garden roses (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Rosa </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.; many are unknown cultivars): you can read all about roses </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-story-of-champlain-rose-hybrid.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/junes-official-flower-rose.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">74. Yellow daylily (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hemerocallis flava</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">73. Meadow cranesbill (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Geranium pratense</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">72. Woolly thyme (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, also known as</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Thymus praecox </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>brittanicus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">71. Dog-strangling vine (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vincetoxicum rossicum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">70. White clover (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Trifolium repens</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">69. Red pine (<i>Pinus resinosa </i>dwarf variety): read all about red pines <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-little-sister-pine.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">68. Glossy buckthorn (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Rhamnus frangula</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">67. Flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cornus kousa</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the flowering dogwood </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/these-flowers-arent-for-dogs.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">66. Climbing hydrangea (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hydrangea petiolaris</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the climbing hydrangea </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/climbing-hydrangea.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">65. Yellow flag iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris pseudacorus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the yellow flag iris </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-fleur-de-lis-really-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">64. Japanese iris, blood iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris sanguinea</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about the blood iris </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/non-bloody-blood-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">63. Siberian iris (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Iris sibirica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">62. Common garden peony, Chinese peony (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Paeonia lactiflora </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">hybrid of unknown parentage): read all about peonies </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/flower-of-chinese-warriors.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">61. Weak arctic sedge (<i>Carex supina</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">60. Least hop clover (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Trifolium dubium</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">59. Garden weigela, wine and roses weigela, old fashioned weigela, or any number of other common names used for this species (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Weigela florida</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> 'Alexandra'): read all about the "catnip shrub" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-weigela-new-catnip.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">58. Little gem cotoneaster (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cotoneaster adpressus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">57. Purple creeping woodsorrel (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Oxalis corniculata </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">var.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>atropurpurea</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">56. Littleleaf lilac (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Syringa pubescens </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>microphylla</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, formerly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Syringa microphylla</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the littleleaf lilac </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/littleleaf-of-lilac-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">55. Common or Philadelphia fleabane (<i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">54. Red osier dogwood (<i>Cornus sericea</i>): read all about the red osier dogwood <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-red-osier-dogwood.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">53. Blue dogbane (<i>Amsonia tabernaemontana</i>): read all about dogbane <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bitter-bane-of-dogs.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">52. Hemlock waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe/Hygrophorus</i> sp.; a fungus without a published name [yet] that I discovered in my back yard growing under, you guessed it, hemlock trees)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">51. Spring psathyrella (<i>Psathyrella pseudovernalis</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">50. A fungus without a common name... (<i>Hygrophorus camarophyllus</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">49. Rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">48. Canada bluegrass (<i>Poa compressa</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">47. Alpine pogonatum moss (<i>Pogonatum alpinum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">46. Contorted hairy cap moss (<i>Pogonatum contortum</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">45. Cluster crumblecap (<i>Psathyrella hydrophila</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44. Annual blue grass (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Poa annua</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">43. Mouse-ear chickweed (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cerastium vulgatum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">41. Lily-of-the-valley (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Convallaria majalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum</i> or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">39. Bugle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Ajuga reptans</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Galium odoratum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens</i> or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">33. Purple plum (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Prunus cerasifera </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Thundercloud')</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">32. Fivestamen chickweed (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30. Yellow alyssum (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Aurinia saxatilis </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">or its other name</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Alyssum saxatilae</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Barbarea vulgaris</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28. Garlic mustard (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Alliaria petiolata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about garlic mustard </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">27. Lungwort (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about lungworts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">26. Common dandelion (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Taraxacum officinale</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about dandelions </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">25. Fortune's spindle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Euonymus fortunei</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">24. Violet lesser periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'La Grave')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">22. Creeping woodsorrel (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Oxalis corniculata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">21. Bleeding hearts (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about bleeding hearts </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">20. Field pansy (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Viola kitaibeliana</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">19. Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): red all about moss phlox <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18. Mountain rock cress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Arabis alpina </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">subsp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>caucasica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">17. Norway spruce (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Picea abies</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*: read all about the Norway spruce </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Tulipa </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.): read all about tulips </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">): read all about hyacinths </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown cultivars (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Narcissus </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">sp.): read all about daffodils </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">13. Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">12. Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or sometimes called <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Viola odorata</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Tussilago farfara</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">9. Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Veronica arvensis</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">7. Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">6. Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Scilla siberica</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Argenteovariegata')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca minor </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">'Atropurpurea')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Vinca major</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Cardamine hirsuta</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #003c1f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">)*</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Our lone lily hybrid (probably <i>Lilium auratum x L. speciosum</i>). I'll be surprised if it survives and flowers next year. It's getting a bit...crowded where it grows.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRxD8nMPaHo/U80-FRwfgWI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Px6FRAQNpik/s1600/2014_Jul21b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRxD8nMPaHo/U80-FRwfgWI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/Px6FRAQNpik/s1600/2014_Jul21b.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of two different species/cultivars of false spirea in the garden; this one is <i>Astilbe x chinensis </i>'Rise & Shine'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of our many spirea plants (<i>Spirea japonica</i> 'Golden Princess')</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A bee of some kind (I'm terrible with insect ID!) clinging to life after a rain storm on a nipplewort (<i>Lapsana communis</i>)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some of our Lady's-thumb that has made an appearance this year (<i>Polygonum persicaria</i>). Despite it being a non-native invasive species, I kind of like it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">False spirea number 2, <i>Astilbe x arendsii </i>'Peach Blossom'</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some of our micro-thyme, also known as wooly thyme, <i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus </i>(also known as <i>T. praecox </i>subsp. <i>britannicus</i>). This makes such a dense mat that if you stand on it you're supported a few inches off the ground. Hover-mode: enabled!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For all of my Brit readers, probably the saddest-looking helleborine (<i>Epipactis helleborine</i>) you'll ever see. This is typical of what they look like in this area of Canada, and once you get them in the garden it's nearly impossible to get rid of them. No idea where this came from!</span></div>
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And because I love baby bunnies, here's our resident baby bunny! He or she was a visitor in the garden for quite a few days in a row, chowing down on all of our plants in the "biodiversity hotspot" (aka the weed corner). Haven't seen it in a few days, but I'm sure it will be back :)<br />
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Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-31394725383096087592014-07-04T17:27:00.001-04:002014-07-04T17:27:57.601-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: July 4Before we get to the updated Garden List, there's something I've forgotten to do for almost a week: update my blog colours. I must admit, I'm a little sad to see the pink go. But since the summer reminds me of green and lush vegetation, my blog colours should remind me of green and lush vegetation! But a little pink thrown in to keep things exciting :) Happy summer!<br />
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While I'm on the "happy trail", happy belated Canada Day to my Canadian readers, and happy 4th of July to my American readers!<br />
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I had a goal for my Garden List to make it to 110 collections before July 1st. I made my goal with 113 collections! I'm impressed with just how many species you can find in a landscaped garden if you look hard enough. If it wasn't for my garden list, I never would have known that half of these species were even here. Yay "weeds"! :)<br />
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The legend:<br />
- Plants in <b>bold text </b>are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)<br />
- Plants in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span> are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)<br />
- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)<br />
- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jen's Garden List 2014:</span></u></b><br />
<b>98. Nipplewort (<i>Lapsana communis</i>)*</b><br />
<b>97. Gray chickweed (<i>Cerastium brachypetalum</i>)</b><br />
<b>96. Field bindweed (<i>Convolvulus arvensis</i>)*</b><br />
<b>95. Lady's-thumb (<i>Polygonum persicaria</i>)*</b><br />
<b>94. Japanese spirea #2 (<i>Spiraea japonica</i> 'Norman'): read all about spireas <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/spiraea-one-of-top-potential-invasive.html">HERE</a>.</b><br />
<b>93. Bittersweet nightshade (<i>Solanum dulcamara</i>)*</b><br />
<b>92. Helleborine (<i>Epipactis helleborine</i>)*</b><br />
<b>91. Daylily (<i>Hemerocallis </i>sp. 'Bertie Ferris'): read all about daylilies and the umpteen different cultivars available starting <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/search/label/Hemerocallis%20sp.">HERE</a> (at the bottom of the page, press "older posts" to read previous blog posts on the same topic).</b><br />
<b>90. Japanese spirea #1 (<i>Spiraea japonica </i>'Golden Princess')</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">89. Sugar maple (<i>Acer saccharum</i>): read all about sugar maple trees <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/canadas-national-tree.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/sticks-sticks-sticks.html">HERE</a>.</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">88. Rough avens (<i>Geum virginianum</i>)</span></b><br />
<b>87. Wormseed or Treacle mustard (<i>Erysimum cheiranthoides</i>)</b><br />
<b>86. Maiden pink (<i>Dianthus deltoides</i>)</b><br />
<b>85. Broadleaf, greater or common plantain (<i>Plantago major</i>)</b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">84. Black grass (<i>Juncus gerardii</i>)*</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">83. Candlestick fungus (<i>Xylaria hypoxylon</i>; a fungus)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">82. Muller's pouchwort (<i>Calypogeia muelleriana</i>)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">81. Indian feather moss (<i>Timmia megapolitana</i>)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">80. Wood clitocybe (<i>Pseudoarmillariella ectypoides</i> or formerly called <i>Clitocybe ectypoides</i>; a fungus)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">79. Yellow-cracked pholiota (<i>Pholiota granulosa</i>; a fungus)</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">78. Another fungus without a common name... (<i>Stropharia thrausta</i>; a fungus)</span></b><br />
77. Red sweet pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>); not collected for the same reason as tomatoes.<br />
76. Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>); not collected because I like eating tomatoes, not squishing tomatoes between newspaper sheets!<br />
75. At least four different cultivars of garden roses (<i>Rosa </i>sp.; many are unknown cultivars): you can read all about roses <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-story-of-champlain-rose-hybrid.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> </b></span>and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/junes-official-flower-rose.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
74. Yellow daylily (<i>Hemerocallis flava</i>)<br />
73. Meadow cranesbill (<i>Geranium pratense</i>)<br />
72. Woolly thyme (<i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus</i>, also known as <i>Thymus praecox </i>subsp. <i>brittanicus</i>)<br />
71. Dog-strangling vine (<i>Vincetoxicum rossicum</i>)*<br />
70. White clover (<i>Trifolium repens</i>)*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">69. Red pine (<i>Pinus resinosa </i>dwarf variety): read all about red pines <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-little-sister-pine.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.</span><br />
68. Glossy buckthorn (<i>Rhamnus frangula</i>)*<br />
67. Flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood (<i>Cornus kousa</i>): read all about the flowering dogwood <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/these-flowers-arent-for-dogs.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
66. Climbing hydrangea (<i>Hydrangea petiolaris</i>): read all about the climbing hydrangea <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/climbing-hydrangea.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
65. Yellow flag iris (<i>Iris pseudacorus</i>)*: read all about the yellow flag iris <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-fleur-de-lis-really-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
64. Japanese iris, blood iris (<i>Iris sanguinea</i>): read all about the blood iris <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/non-bloody-blood-iris.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
63. Siberian iris (<i>Iris sibirica</i>)<br />
62. Common garden peony, Chinese peony (<i>Paeonia lactiflora </i>hybrid of unknown parentage): read all about peonies <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/flower-of-chinese-warriors.html" style="color: #1d9953; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></b></span>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">61. Weak arctic sedge (<i>Carex supina</i>)</span><br />
60. Least hop clover (<i>Trifolium dubium</i>)*<br />
59. Garden weigela, wine and roses weigela, old fashioned weigela, or any number of other common names used for this species (<i>Weigela florida</i> 'Alexandra'): read all about the "catnip shrub" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-weigela-new-catnip.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
58. Little gem cotoneaster (<i>Cotoneaster adpressus</i>)<br />
57. Purple creeping woodsorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata </i>var. <i>atropurpurea</i>)*<br />
56. Littleleaf lilac (<i>Syringa pubescens </i>subsp. <i>microphylla</i>, formerly <i>Syringa microphylla</i>)*: read all about the littleleaf lilac <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/littleleaf-of-lilac-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">55. Common or Philadelphia fleabane (<i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>)*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">54. Red osier dogwood (<i>Cornus sericea</i>): read all about the red osier dogwood <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-red-osier-dogwood.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">53. Blue dogbane (<i>Amsonia tabernaemontana</i>): read all about dogbane <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bitter-bane-of-dogs.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">52. Hemlock waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe/Hygrophorus</i> sp.; a fungus without a published name [yet] that I discovered in my back yard growing under, you guessed it, hemlock trees)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">51. Spring psathyrella (<i>Psathyrella pseudovernalis</i>; a fungus)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">50. A fungus without a common name... (<i>Hygrophorus camarophyllus</i>; a fungus)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">49. Rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">48. Canada bluegrass (<i>Poa compressa</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">47. Alpine pogonatum moss (<i>Pogonatum alpinum</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">46. Contorted hairy cap moss (<i>Pogonatum contortum</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">45. Cluster crumblecap (<i>Psathyrella hydrophila</i>; a fungus)</span><br />
44. Annual blue grass (<i>Poa annua</i>)*<br />
43. Mouse-ear chickweed (<i>Cerastium vulgatum</i>)*<br />
42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (<i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i>)<br />
41. Lily-of-the-valley (<i>Convallaria majalis</i>)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum</i> or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
39. Bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>)*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (<i>Galium odoratum</i>)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens</i> or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span><br />
33. Purple plum (<i>Prunus cerasifera </i>'Thundercloud')<br />
32. Fivestamen chickweed (<i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i>)*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span><br />
30. Yellow alyssum (<i>Aurinia saxatilis </i>or its other name <i>Alyssum saxatilae</i>)<br />
29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (<i>Barbarea vulgaris</i>)*<br />
28. Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)*: read all about garlic mustard <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
27. Lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>): read all about lungworts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
26. Common dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>)*: read all about dandelions <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
25. Fortune's spindle (<i>Euonymus fortunei</i>)*<br />
24. Violet lesser periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'La Grave')*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span><br />
22. Creeping woodsorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata</i>)*<br />
21. Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>): read all about bleeding hearts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
20. Field pansy (<i>Viola kitaibeliana</i>)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">19. Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): red all about moss phlox <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
18. Mountain rock cress (<i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>)*<br />
17. Norway spruce (<i>Picea abies</i>)*: read all about the Norway spruce <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown cultivars (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown cultivars (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.<br />
14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown cultivars (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">13. Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">12. Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or sometimes called <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span><br />
11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*<br />
10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">9. Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">7. Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">6. Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="text-decoration: none;">HERE</a></span>.</span><br />
5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*<br />
4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Argenteovariegata')*<br />
3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*<br />
2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*<br />
1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)*<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">More pictures of the umbrella liverwort in "full bloom" because...aren't they just the cutest?! It looks like an entire forest, just on a really small scale. Like it was part of the movie set for "Honey I Shrunk The Kids"</span></i></div>
<br />Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-3143594868151293982014-06-22T13:39:00.001-04:002014-06-22T13:41:06.186-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: June 22I've reached an exciting milestone this morning! While I was out collecting more plants for my Garden List Herbarium collection, I found my 100th species! In fact, I found my 102nd species :) Every time I go outside looking for new things I'm amazed at what I find. I haven't even started collecting lichens yet, but I don't actually anticipate having many of those. Maybe 10 species? I might be surprised about those, too...<br />
<br />
Here's an update on what I've identified so far! The legend:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>bold text</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Jen's Garden List 2014: </u></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>77. Red sweet pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>); not collected for the same reason as tomatoes.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>76. Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>); not collected because I like eating tomatoes, not squishing tomatoes between newspaper sheets!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>75. At least four different cultivar of garden roses (<i>Rosa </i>sp.; many are unknown cultivars): you can read all about roses <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-story-of-champlain-rose-hybrid.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/junes-official-flower-rose.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>74. Yellow daylily (<i>Hemerocallis flava</i>)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>73. Meadow cranesbill (<i>Geranium pratense</i>)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>72. Woolly thyme (<i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus</i>, also known as <i>Thymus praecox </i>subsp. <i>brittanicus</i>)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>71. Dog-strangling vine (<i>Vincetoxicum rossicum</i>)*</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>70. White clover (<i>Trifolium repens</i>)*</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">69. Red pine (<i>Pinus resinosa</i> dwarf variety): read all about red pines <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-little-sister-pine.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>68. Glossy buckthorn (<i>Rhamnus frangula</i>)*</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>67. Flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood (<i>Cornus kousa</i>): read all about the flowering dogwood <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/these-flowers-arent-for-dogs.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>66. Climbing hydrangea (<i>Hydrangea petiolaris</i>): read all about the climbing hydrangea <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/climbing-hydrangea.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>65. Yellow flag iris (<i>Iris pseudacorus</i>)*: read all about the yellow flag iris <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-fleur-de-lis-really-iris.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>64. Japanese iris, blood iris (<i>Iris sanguinea</i>): read all about the blood iris <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/non-bloody-blood-iris.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>63. Siberian iris (<i>Iris sibirica</i>)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>62. Common garden peony, Chinese peony (<i>Paeonia lactiflora </i>hybrid of unknown parentage): read all about peonies <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/flower-of-chinese-warriors.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">61. Weak arctic sedge (<i>Carex supina</i>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">60. Least hop clover (<i>Trifolium dubium</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">59. Garden weigela, wine and roses weigela, old fashioned weigela, or any number of other common name used for this species (<i>Weigela florida </i>'Alexandra'): read all about the "catnip shrub" <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-weigela-new-catnip.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">58. Little gem cotoneaster (<i>Cotoneaster adpressus</i>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">57. Purple creeping woodsorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata </i>var. <i>atropurpurea</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">56. Littleleaf lilac (<i>Syringa pubescens </i>subsp. <i>microphylla</i>, formerly <i>Syringa microphylla</i>)*: read all about the littleleaf lilac <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/littleleaf-of-lilac-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">55. Common or Philadelphia fleabane (<i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>)*</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">54. Red osier dogwood (<i>Cornus sericea</i>): read all about the red osier dogwood <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-red-osier-dogwood.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">53. Blue dogbane (<i>Amsonia tabernaemontana</i>): read all about dogbane <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bitter-bane-of-dogs.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">52. Hemlock waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe/Hygrophorus </i>sp.; a fungus without a published name [yet] that I discovered in my back yard growing under, you guessed it, hemlock trees)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">51. Spring psathyrella (<i>Psathyrella pseudovernalis</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">50. A fungus without a common name... (<i>Hygrophorus camarophyllus</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">49. Rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">48. Canada bluegrass (<i>Poa compressa</i>)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">47. Alpine pogonatum moss (<i>Pogonatum alpinum</i>)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">46. Contorted hairy cap moss (<i>Pogonatum contortum)</i></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">45. Cluster crumblecap (<i>Psathyrella hydrophila</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44. Annual blue grass (<i>Poa annua</i>)*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">43. Mouse-ear chickweed (<i>Cerastium vulgatum</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (<i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">41. Lily-of-the-valley (<i>Convallaria majalis</i>)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum </i>or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">39. Bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (<i>Galium odoratum</i>)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens </i>or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">33. Purple plum (<i>Prunus cerasifera </i>'Thundercloud')</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">32. Fivestamen chickweed (<i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30. Yellow alyssum (<i>Aurinia saxatilis </i>or its other name <i>Alyssum saxatilae</i>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (<i>Barbarea vulgaris</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28. Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)*: read all about garlic mustard <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">27. Lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>): read all about lungworts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">26. Common dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>)*: read all about dandelions <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">25. Fortune's spindle (<i>Euonymus fortunei</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">24. Violet lesser periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'La Grave')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">22. Creeping wood-sorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">21. Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>): read all about bleeding hearts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">20. Field pansy (<i>Viola kitaibeliana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100;">19. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): read all about moss phlox <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18. Mountain rock cress (<i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">17. Norway spruce (<i>Picea abies</i>)*: read all about the Norway spruce <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown varieties (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Agenteovariegata')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)*</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The inflorescence of the climbing hydrangea (<i>Hydrangea petiolaris</i>) growing up the side of our deck stairs. The white fuzzy flowers are the male flowers (those are all anthers sticking out which make pollen), the round blobby flowers are the female flowers (which make the ovules that will become seeds), and the white four-"petaled" things are female flowers with ornamenal bracts (not actually true petals) to attract pollinators.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of our varieties of rose, with some lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>) growing around it, and growing in a bed of woolly thyme (<i>Thymus pseudolanuginosus</i>)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Another variety of rose, this one surrounded by black-eyed Susans (<i>Rudbeckia hirta</i>) that have yet to bloom, and some rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>). A butterfly bush (<i>Buddleja </i>sp.) is slightly out of frame to the left (looks rather pathetic this year after our harsh winter...I'll be surprised if it flowers).</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-86517819970614988422014-06-19T12:24:00.001-04:002014-06-19T12:24:21.747-04:00What is a Herbarium and what is it for: Jamestown's famous weedToday for my blog post I figured I would do a traditional blog post (for this blog, anyway) along with a "Part 2" that talks a bit about what a Herbarium is and what use it has to science. I've been talking a bit in recent blogs about my personal herbarium that I'm making with my Garden List species, and I've also done a few for the Herbarium at Western of species I've found on campus that only recently appeared. I'm a creature of habit and tend to walk the same path to go to the same place; because I happen to pay attention to the "green stuff" covering the ground, I usually notice when something weird pops up that wasn't there before. I'll talk a bit about one of my favourite weedy plants, which also happens to be my very first plant collection in the herbarium! Sandra, who I featured in a sneaky picture in a previous blog post <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2014/06/a-trip-to-meadowlily-to-teach-kids.html">HERE</a>, is the Herbarium Assistant and Acting Herbarium Curator until the position is filled and she found it hysterical how excited I was about collecting and pressing my very first Herbarium specimen. Since then...I'm hooked. Anyone want a plant collection pressed and dried? I'm your girl. Even better (because it's more fun), want a pressed and dried collection glued and mounted on herbarium paper? Let me know.<br />
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Here we go! My favourite weed. :)<br />
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Datura stramonium</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>Jimson weed, Jamestown weed, devil's cucumber, datura<br />
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<b>Location: </b>UWO Campus<br />
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Jimsonweed (or Jimson weed...same plant, along with about 20 other common names this plant has) is my favourite weedy species that we have here in North America. Not just because of it's many common names (HOW AWESOME is the name "devil's cucumber"?!), but because of the rich history it has in the making of the identity of North America today. Without this plant, I doubt anyone living in the United States or Canada would have the same kind of "national identity" that we have today. This plant is widely believed to have originated in North America, but was spread across the globe very early for its recreational uses and so that's difficult to confirm. Since I really like this plant, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and say it's native to North America...because I can :) It can be weedy and spread quite quickly, so if you do decide to plant it you'll want to make sure you dead-head the flowers before the seed pods form (or, if you like the appearance of the seed pods make sure you pick them off the plant before they crack open and disperse their seeds).<br />
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Jimsonweed is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which is the same plant family that we find the edible food crops potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, as well as some ornamental species like henbane, mandrake, belladonna, and deadly nightshade (which, contrary to its common name is actually one of the plants that's least likely to kill you in this family, unless you're a small child or a beloved family pet). Like many of the species listed above, this plant is deadly poisonous. And when I say deadly, I mean deadly. Consuming the seeds from one seed pod would be enough to cause catastrophic organ failure in an adult human which would very quickly lead to death. Should you decide to only consume a few seeds, maybe 25 or so, it would also lead to catastrophic organ failure. This circumstance, however, results in a very slow, very painful death as your body slowly shuts down. Consuming only a small number of the seeds of this plant *may* result in a hallucinogenic trip, but it has equal likelihood in resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and you wishing that the world would end right then and there (but you'll live). A few years ago there was a string of deaths of high school students in the United States, and it turns out that they all died from consuming Jimsonweed seeds. One of their friends had read on the internet that they're a free way of getting high, so they all ate them. Kids, don't believe everything you read on the internet! This plant is not worth it...trust me. Jimsonweed is fun to look at (how awesome are those seed pods?!), the flowers have an absolutely wonderful aroma, and they provide some nice fall colour to a garden. But don't, under any circumstances, eat it. Ever!<br />
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So why did I say above that this plant is probably the single most important plant species for the development of the identity of North America as it is today? Well...it comes from this plant's other major common name, the Jamestown weed. This name comes from Jamestown, Virginia, which was the site of Bacon's Rebellion. Long before Europeans sailed across the ocean blue to settle in what is now the United States, there were people already living there. In fact, there were a lot of people. About 14,000 people lived in and around Jamestown in the early 1600s when the first wave of settlers arrived. The local people were used to the types of harsh conditions to be expected in the winter months, but the Europeans were not so lucky. Many of them died, and it is widely speculated that the few that remained turned to cannibalism in order to survive. During the second wave of settlement, the "new Americans" were smarter: use the locals to build us shelters and show us how to gather food, and kill them if they refuse. There were many clashes between groups, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Nathanial Bacon decided he had had enough of the British fighting with the local people, and started an uprising. Governor William Berkeley had started teaming up with the local people to start building a nation. This angered some of the early settlers, since these same people were responsible for the deaths of many of their friends and family (it swings both ways, but I guess that wasn't the point). Bacon gathered people (estimates are between 300 and 500 people) to fight against Berkeley, eventually driving him out of Virginia and back to Britain. One of the major turning points in the rebellion was when British soldiers started flipping sides and fighting against their countrymen and their own Governor...all because they had been drugged. Bacon observed the local people preparing tea made out of a benign green plant (likely some kind of mint or other species which has a strong flavour, since Jimsonweed is reported to not taste very good) and sprinkled with 2 or 3 of the seeds of the Devil Plant. He prepared this same tea to offer to the freezing British soldiers, who promptly hallucinated for two weeks and became violently ill. While hallucinating, the soldiers were manipulated into amusing Bacon and his supporters, and once the drug's effects wore off they returned to normal, confused as to where the time had gone. When they were ostracized by their fellow soldiers for the actions performed while "under the influence," they decided to flip sides and help drive Governor Berkeley out of their new settlement. Berkeley retreated across the river, but with Bacon's death in 1676 a new leader of the Rebellion took over: John Ingram. Unfortunately, Ingram wasn't a very smart man. He decided to start a fight against the Pamunkey people, which were loyal supporters of Berkeley and even supplied him with warrior fighters. Between the British and the Pamunkey, the Rebellion was defeated and the rebels were driven out of the new settlement. The "good guys" had won. It has been speculated that if the British soldiers drugged with Jimsonweed hadn't flipped sides, Ingram never would have had enough supporters to wager a war against the Pamunkey people. Without this pivotal attack, Berkeley might have decided the war wasn't worth it and retreated back to Britain. What would this side of the world look like if this had of happened? It's impossible to speculate, but I bet it would be very different than what it is today. All thanks to a plant.<br />
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Jamestown, Virginia actually has an incredibly fascinating history in the early settlement of North America, and the independence of the United States. If you'd like to read more about the waves of settlement, the clashes that occurred, and the REAL story of Pocahontas (yes, that happened in Jamestown, too!) you can read more on the Wikipedia page <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamestown,_Virginia" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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This plant isn't all bad. The active ingredients leading to hallucinations (and ultimately death) are alkaloids called atropine and scopolamine. Some of you might recognize these two compounds, as atropine is one of the most successful drug compounds used in treating severe asthma. In large amounts, atropine causes the paralysis of the lung tissue and the dilation of the bronchioles which increases air flow. In smaller amounts the paralysis occurs to a much smaller extent allowing the patient to still be able to breathe, but dilates the bronchioles to increase air flow. Scopolamine is also a very important drug in modern medicine; it's used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and is one of the most effective anti-tremor medications (in small concentrations, of course!). Datura itself (the combination of these two alkaloids) is used to treat morphine addiction. Because of the effects on the body that it has, there are certain conditions that it will aggravate like glaucoma or difficulty urinating. Glaucoma is caused by an increase in pressure of the fluid of the eye, which can be aggravated by atropine (which causes the dilation of blood vessels, which would increase blood flow to the eye and increase the pressure even more). One of the main effects of both atropine and scopolamine is the inhibition of the parasympathetic system, which is responsible for the regulation of urination. If you're already having trouble urinating, inhibiting this further could be disastrous. But, again, this plant WILL KILL YOU if you try to make some kind of medicinal concoction on your own. Prescribed drugs have these compounds in very small, controlled amounts. The plant does what it pleases. Don't be stupid.<br />
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Now that you know why this plant is just so awesome, I figured I would talk a bit about this "Herbarium thing": what it is, what it's used for, why they're important, and what is stored in them.</div>
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A herbarium is like a library, but for dried plant material. When you walk into a herbarium (which is climate-controlled to prevent insect infestation, so usually kept around 15 C) the first thing that you'll notice are rows upon rows of cabinets. The cabinets contain stacks of sheets of card stock, on which is glued (or sewn, if you've got a really old collection) a plant collection. This collection is identified by species name, a location of where the collection was made (which now includes coordinates), any important information to go along with the collection, who made the collection, and a collection number (often called an accession number). Herbarium specimens are very similar to books: they have titles, authors, years of publication, and a brief description (like liner notes) of what can be found on the page. These specimens are then preserved for all of eternity, and databased so they can be accessed by researchers from other institutions. Some herbaria have thousands of collections (the Western Herbarium has about 60,000 collections), while others like the New York Botanical Gardens or the Paris Natural History Museum have millions of collections (about 10 million at NYBG, 8-9 million in Paris). Herbarium collections are invaluable to science since they show a snapshot of the plants living in an area in any given period of time. The herbarium collections at Western are "young" compared to other institutions since our oldest specimen is from the late 1800s. For my research, the oldest herbarium specimen I received on loan was from 1799, and many were from the 1820s and 1830s. There are some collections in Kew and in Paris from the 1500s! Herbarium specimens have been used in a wide variety of different types of biological studies, from studies about taxonomy (where you study old and new collections of species to look for new species "lost" in herbarium collections or to help you determine whether what you collected is a new species or not) to conservation biology. Herbarium specimens are actually becoming more and more crucial in conservation and restoration biology as habitats are becoming more and more degraded. What plant species used to be present in a given area, compared to what is there today? Can species that used to be present even be located in the same area now? Has the composition of which species are present completely changed? What does this mean? There have even been cases of determining that a plant species is now extinct in the wild based on herbarium collections. The species was collected from an area, described, and hasn't been seen since.</div>
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So how do we make a herbarium collection? I figured it was only fitting that my very first plant collection ever to be stored in a herbarium should be my favourite plant: Jimsonweed. When I found the plant growing on campus I carefully pulled it out of the ground to get the root ball intact, knocked off all of the extra dirt, and brought it in to Sandra in the herbarium for pressing. Here's what the plant looks like, in front of a standard piece of herbarium paper (11.5" x 16.5") for scale: </div>
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Now, it should be obvious even to someone who's never made a herbarium collection before that this isn't going to work. Half the plant is missing; it's about 2 times bigger than the size of the paper. So what to do? Well...cut it. All of this preparation of a specimen needs to be done before it's dried, or else the dried plant will just shatter when you try to manipulate it later. I cut the bottom off right at the edge of the paper, and the bottom half became "sheet 2 of 2" for this collection. Next, the collection needs to go between pieces of newspaper and pressed out flat in a herbarium press, which then goes in the dryer to dry the specimen as much as possible (which can take up to a month, depending on how juicy the plant material is!). When a collection is pressed, maintaining the integrity of the plant is very important, because if someone wants to see your collection in 60 years they have to be able to determine what it even is. Showing the upper side and the lower side of leaves is important, but never the same leaf. Folding leaves when drying makes them very fragile and should be avoided when possible. The flowers of the plant, if present, should be kept as visible as possible and all other plant material should be pulled away. The seed pods, if present, should remain on the plant and should also be easily visible. Once all of the manipulation is done, put the newspaper-plant-sandwich into the press, the press into the drying oven, and forget about it for at least a week.</div>
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Once the press comes out of the oven, the sheets of newspaper can carefully be removed and opened. Sometimes tweezers can help to carefully pick the newspaper off of the plant material, since sometimes plants "juice" when they're squeezed into a tight location like the herbarium press. As long as the collection is dry, it's ready to be mounted on herbarium paper.</div>
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Grab yourself some 11.5" x 16.5" rag-bond acid-free paper and some acid-free glue. Contrary to what you might think, the less glue the better (learned that one the hard way once...). Decide which side is "up" and which side is "down" of your collection, and dab some glue in important places on the side that will be down. Important places would be at major intersections on the stem where pieces could break in two, along leaf petioles, or where the flower attaches to the stem. One thing you DON'T want to do is glue the entire flower to the paper, or the entire leaf. When someone else looks at your specimens they like to be able to see the underside of all of these things, so leave some space where they could carefully be pulled up off the paper to inspect the underside. When all of that is done, the specimen needs to be weighted down onto the paper. Herbarium presses might be able to squish things pretty well, but some plants are great resistors to the squishing. No matter what you do, you just can't get them quite flat enough. Common washers and nuts can be used to weigh the plant material into the glue dabs until the glue dries enough that the plant can't escape it. Once it's all glued and weighted down, it looks like this:</div>
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Let the glue dry, and while you're waiting you can make yourself a label! The label needs to be laser-printed using acid-free ink on acid-free paper that is BRIGHT white (even brighter than normal printer paper) and needs to be formatted according to the herbarium that you're depositing your specimen into. This is what our herbarium labels look like, and all of the information that we put onto them:</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(my collection is #53,018 in the herbarium! Woo!)</span></i></div>
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Now it's time to glue the label onto the herbarium paper. They always go in the bottom right corner, so hopefully you saved space for it there (again, learned this the hard way once, too...). Glue it on with acid-free, extra-tacky label glue (which, of course, is different than specimen glue...). Make sure the glue doesn't leak out the edges! If it does, wipe it off right away. We want these looking pretty:</div>
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And now you can do any finishing touches! You can see that there are four of the big nuts weighing something down above the label on the sheet on the left. When the seed pods of Jimsonweed are dried, they split open to release the seeds. We want to keep these! Any plant material that falls off of a pressed herbarium specimen is still important material. These go into a little paper envelope, which is glued directly above the label of the specimen (or on page 1 of 2, if there is more than 1 sheet that goes with a single collection).</div>
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Now you're done! I was so proud of this silly specimen. It's just a dried plant glued onto paper, but it was my first dried plant glued onto paper! And hopefully it will be useful to someone some day. Now I've got nearly 90 others courtesy of my Garden List and trust me...botanical craft time never gets old :)</div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-48212355899938118532014-06-14T15:14:00.001-04:002014-06-14T15:25:10.973-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: June 14Quite a few to add to the list this time! I decided to try my hand at identifying some mosses and grasses...and while not completely unpleasant, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever done. I wouldn't go out of my way to spend weeks on end doing it, but if I find something else that's grassy or mossy that needs an ID, I just might do it. Expanding my skills! Lots of native species added to the list this week, which is always nice :)<br />
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The legend:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>bold text</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Jen's Garden List 2014: </u></b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">61. Weak arctic sedge (<i>Carex supina</i>)</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>60. Least hop clover (<i>Trifolium dubium</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>59. Garden weigela, wine and roses weigela, old fashioned weigela, or any number of other common name used for this species (<i>Weigela florida </i>'Alexandra'): read all about the "catnip shrub" <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/is-weigela-new-catnip.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>58. Little gem cotoneaster (<i>Cotoneaster adpressus</i>)</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>57. Purple creeping woodsorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata </i>var. <i>atropurpurea</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>56. Littleleaf lilac (<i>Syringa pubescens </i>subsp. <i>microphylla</i>, formerly <i>Syringa microphylla</i>)*: read all about the littleleaf lilac <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/littleleaf-of-lilac-world.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">55. Common or Philadelphia fleabane (<i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>)*</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">54. Red osier dogwood (<i>Cornus sericea</i>): read all about the red osier dogwood <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/the-red-osier-dogwood.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">53. Blue dogbane (<i>Amsonia tabernaemontana</i>): read all about dogbane <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bitter-bane-of-dogs.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">52. Hemlock waxcap (<i>Hygrocybe/Hygrophorus </i>sp.; a fungus without a published name [yet] that I discovered in my back yard growing under, you guessed it, hemlock trees)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">51. Spring psathyrella (<i>Psathyrella pseudovernalis</i>; a fungus)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">50. A fungus without a common name... (<i>Hygrophorus camarophyllus</i>; a fungus)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">49. Rough bluegrass (<i>Poa trivialis</i>)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">48. Canada bluegrass (<i>Poa compressa</i>)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">47. Alpine pogonatum moss (<i>Pogonatum alpinum</i>)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">46. Contorted hairy cap moss (<i>Pogonatum contortum)</i></span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">45. Cluster crumblecap (<i>Psathyrella hydrophila</i>; a fungus)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">44. Annual blue grass (<i>Poa annua</i>)*</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">43. Mouse-ear chickweed (<i>Cerastium vulgatum</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (<i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">41. Lily-of-the-valley (<i>Convallaria majalis</i>)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum </i>or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">39. Bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (<i>Galium odoratum</i>)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens </i>or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">33. Purple plum (<i>Prunus cerasifera </i>'Thundercloud')</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">32. Fivestamen chickweed (<i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">30. Yellow alyssum (<i>Aurinia saxatilis </i>or its other name <i>Alyssum saxatilae</i>)</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (<i>Barbarea vulgaris</i>)*</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28. Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)*: read all about garlic mustard <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">27. Lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>): read all about lungworts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">26. Common dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>)*: read all about dandelions <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">25. Fortune's spindle (<i>Euonymus fortunei</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">24. Violet lesser periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'La Grave')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">22. Creeping wood-sorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">21. Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>): read all about bleeding hearts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">20. Field pansy (<i>Viola kitaibeliana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100;">19. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): read all about moss phlox <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18. Mountain rock cress (<i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">17. Norway spruce (<i>Picea abies</i>)*: read all about the Norway spruce <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown varieties (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Agenteovariegata')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)*</span></span></span>Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-70598128575965380552014-06-13T19:09:00.000-04:002014-06-13T19:09:55.698-04:00A trip to Meadowlily to teach kids about biodiversityOn Wednesday I was given the opportunity to teach about 200 grade 3-5 students (ages 8 to 11 or so) about biodiversity and why it's important. The students got to visit four stations (catching butterflies, a walk through the forest to learn about trees, catching snails and other ground-dwelling insects, and planting meadow plant species) and at ours they learned about why plants rock, why native species are important, and why maintaining (if not increasing) biodiversity is important. Since kids LOVE monarch butterflies and snails, we used them to illustrate two important points: if we decrease biodiversity by planting grass everywhere then monarchs won't have their food and shelter plant and so they'll disappear, and if we continue to introduce invasive species then we'll continue to see a decline in our native species that we know and love. The kids loved helping Chen round up the invasive snails (he ended up with the equivalent of a 10-gallon bucket FULL of them...it was ridiculous) for his research, and I was surprised to see how much they loved planting wildflowers with Sandra and I.<br />
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Now, I say that I was given the opportunity to do this...which might sound weird to many research-intense academics. As a professor at a university (which I'm not; I'm a graduate student), most are required to dedicate 10% of their overall work duties to outreach in some form. Many do within-department outreach (often involving talking to undergraduate students), a few do inter-departmental outreach, some have a consulting gig on the side which is considered community outreach. But there seems to be an ever-decreasing number who truly love doing "real" community outreach: bringing science outside the ivory tower to the general public, whether that be a class of grade 3 students or a special-interest seniors group at a retirement home. The reasons for this I'm sure are vast, and I don't attempt to pretend I know why this is (decreasing funding, increasing student load and increasing teaching load all contribute, along with personal motivation and other intrinsic factors are my guesses), but I think this is doing a real detriment to science in general. When there's an outcry by scientists on Parliament Hill in Ottawa about slashes to government funding for science research, we hope that the general public is behind us and supports our plight. Science research is invaluable and can lead to so many amazing discoveries, and so it should be supported. But if we're not educating the public about the awesome "stuff" we're doing...why do we expect their support? Sure, a lot of people know about tar sands, where they are, what they are, the kind of impact it has to the Canadian economy and even the environmental impact they have. But what about the population genetics of spicebush swallowtail butterflies? What about the diversity of mosses present in nutrient-poor bogs in northern Ontario? What about the plastid genome size of green algae present in a lake in Chile (which may or may not be the same species as the green alga with the same name present in a lake in Australia...)? If we don't tell people why they should care about these research projects, why should we expect them to support us when our funding has been cut? I feel that science outreach is so, so important. This helps foster the scientists of tomorrow! It helps people understand why what we dedicate our life to is important! Plus...the look on a child's face when they learn something new for the first time about something they were blissfully unaware about previously is one of the most rewarding feelings on this planet.<br />
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This outreach activity that I did on Wednesday was originally started as a partnership between the Thames Talbot Land Trust (you can visit their website <a href="http://www.thamestalbotlandtrust.ca/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to learn more about them) and a teacher at the local school board. He started a club for high school students called the Environmental Leadership Program, and Dr. Jane Bowles (you can read all about Jane in one of my previous blog posts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/dr-jane-bowles-great-botanist-friend.html">HERE</a>) helped him come up with activities that the high school students could do with elementary school students at one of TTLT's stewardship properties in the city. The program occurs every year in June, and each year two new elementary schools are given the opportunity to participate in this program at no cost to them. This was important to Jane...get kids out in nature, and appreciate it for what it is not what we choose to make it. Since Jane's death in July last year I've been doing a lot of outreach activities through the Arboretum/Herbarium, and now through this partnership with the TTLT. If I get to do this for the rest of my life, I will be one happy camper. I can see why Jane loved this so much. Every time I do a botany-themed outreach activity I tell myself at the beginning that if I would have made Jane proud, I've done my job. She was quite the lady.<br />
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I would LOVE to post pictures of the kids and how excited they were to plant the meadow seedlings and some "action shots" but...that's actually against the law. So instead, here's a photo-tour of the site and a tiny piece of the surrounding area with some cool stuff I saw while I was at Meadowlily. My supervisor and I have been to the area before looking for mushrooms, but we had never ventured this direction into the actual meadow. It was really neat to go there, and I'm definitely going back sometime to explore some more! And to check up on "our" plants :) So without further delay...pictures! There are a lot of them (sorry to those of you with slow internet connections!) :)<br />
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Meadowlily meadow, looking East-ish. Don and Drew planning the hole placement for our meadow plant planting.</div>
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The Meadowlily meadow looking West-ish (you can see a passing transport truck on Highbury Ave; from where we were you'd have no idea this was right beside a road with a speed limit of 100 km/hr. Amazing what kind of sound buffer nature can be!)</div>
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One of our meadow species we were planting: wild bergamot. It's a really beautiful plant with purple flowers that is great for attracting butterfly and bee species. A great garden plant for full-sun locations!</div>
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Sandra preparing the milkweed seedlings for the kids to plant (getting them out of those styrofoam trays was much more difficult than it seems. I swear you need an engineering degree to figure it all out. I ended up just digging my fingers in and pulling them out. I got muddy!). This species of milkweed is sometimes called the "monarch flower" (or another name along those lines) since it is the only food source of the monarch butterfly. It was recently taken off the noxious weed list in Ontario, so if you can find some in nurseries, plant some in your garden! And don't kill the caterpillars eating the plants...they'll grow up to be monarchs one day.</div>
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Another meadow species, but this one isn't native (native to Europe; naturalized, not invasive, in Canada). A close relative of the dandelion, this is called the common goat's-beard (<i>Tragopogon dubius</i>).</div>
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Two TTLT summer interns, Drew and Jamie, digging some of the grass out of the way to make space for wildflower planting! They were a great help during the day.</div>
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A view looking towards the river showing the kind of diversity present at the site. 1) an American basswood tree, 2) Virginia creeper, 3) wild grape, and 4) Dame's Rocket in full bloom. VERY unusual for mid-June; usually those are done flowering here by the end of May. We've had some wacky weather!</div>
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The three colours of flower you can find in a population of Dame's Rocket: purple, white, and slightly-more-purple-than-white. A great little plant to do some outdoor genetics experiments on. Illustrating genetic principles using real-world examples. Awesome!</div>
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One of the branches of the Thames river running through Meadowlily. The water was remarkably high, and moving quickly. No boaters today, but I'm sure if the weather was nicer (overcast, threatening to rain all day without ever having actually rained) there would have been lots!</div>
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A really nice, old Bur oak tree that I was admiring for a while and then thought...wait a minute. Are those BUCKETS up in the tree?! That's nearly three stories off the ground. How the heck did they get up there?!</div>
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Canada anemone, one of our showiest native forest wildflowers. This species flowers in the spring, unlike the fall-flowering Chinese or Japanese anemone that most people plant in their garden as an ornamental species.</div>
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A great example of why planting invasive species in your garden when you live near a natural area is a really, really bad idea: yellow flag iris starting to take over the wetland area at the edge of the forest where it meets the river. Eventually it will out-compete all of the native wetland species around it and it will be a solid stand of yellow flag iris. Might look pretty, but it's not nearly as important to the ecosystem as the native species!</div>
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The smallest vascular plant in the world, duckweed, floating on the surface of a tiny stream feeding into the river. I was trying out my new rubber boots here by wading down the stream. They work! Feet dry.</div>
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Another unfortunate invasive species taking over. This is forget-me-not. If you live near a natural area, don't plant this species, either!</div>
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A very cool insect-insect-plant mutualism we saw during the lunch break. These VICIOUS red ants (we taunted them with a stick to see what they would do, and attack they did!) were defending their little aphid colonies that were feeding on cottonwood trees. The aphids suck out the sap in the main vein of the leaf, and any extra they can't consume pools on the leaf surface as a "honeydew". The ants consume the honeydew for nutrients. I'm sure they would also consume the aphids, if they ever stopped doing their jobs!</div>
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It wouldn't have been a day in the great outdoors if I didn't at least make an effort to look for mushrooms. And let me tell you...the crop this year in this area is abysmal. We didn't have enough rain in the early spring, and then had too much rain later in the spring, and so now everyone's confused at what season it is and what they're supposed to be doing. This was only one of two trees that had mushrooms on them. That's it! One single species of mushroom on two trees all day! I felt ripped off.</div>
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The same species of fungus (Dryad's saddle or <i>Polyporus squamosus</i>) growing on a very dead tree. Some of those mushrooms were 50 cm across!</div>
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I call this picture my "mushroom selfie". I think I'm going to start making this a thing...any mushroom worth photographing gets made into a selfie. You should all do it, too! I was using this particular mushroom to talk about the dangers of invasive species (snails eat the spore-bearing surface, or the location where mushrooms make their babies, of fungi and are likely a huge factor contributing to the steady decline of fungal species in North America. Invasive species are bad!!) either accidentally or purposely introduced to an area.</div>
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Hi Mr. Toad! Sorry for almost stepping on you...twice. Don't worry, he's fine. Or she...I don't know how to tell the difference between male and female toads. I always interpret frogs as females and toads as males until proven otherwise.</div>
<br />Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-38846942271370915282014-06-03T11:43:00.000-04:002014-06-03T11:43:05.166-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: June 3Here's my updated Garden List from my round of plant identifications last week :) Every time I identify a new plant, I'm always amazed at the diversity we have in our back yard. I've been asked by a couple people how I manage to "fit" all of these plants in the back yard, so here's where I need to come clean about a few things. Ahem...<br />
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...my name is Jen, and I hate pulling weeds.<br />
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We have a very unique garden at home that is unlike every other in the neighbourhood. It's not because the back yard is a wasteland that is completely neglected; it's nearly the complete opposite. I would bet that we (and by "we" I mean my Dad who is the resident gardener) spend more time on our garden than anyone else in the neighbourhood. It takes a lot of work because we have...no lawn. Well, we've got a bit of a lawn in the front yard, but the back yard is 100% gardens (plus a pond). This means we have A LOT of room for weeds. A lot. But you know what? It's pretty awesome. There are some areas that are naturally weed-free (or at least have minimal amounts of weeds) like the whole north east corner of the garden. There are some plants that manage to escape through fences from each of the neighbours, but that area stays remarkably weed-free. Some hostas, an iris patch, some bleeding hearts, a flowering dogwood, a spruce, a couple of cedars, the requisite daylily (in every single corner of the garden, it seems) and a fir tree. Other corners of the garden, the ones that get much more sun, are a little...unruly. That's where I'm finding most of the diversity of plants, so that shouldn't be at all surprising! In the southwest corner of the garden there are so many plants you have to be careful where you step for fear of not crushing one of the many I haven't collected yet. In that area we have some REALLY COOL native plants that are not yet in flower (so I won't spoil the surprise by adding a list here; stay tuned to find out what they are once they start flowering and are collected for my Garden List!), some of the typical ornamental species that are found in many gardens in North America, and...weeds. Some have spilled over from the neighbour's house, others have been carried in from the rain, and yet more just magically find their way into the yard other ways. It's a pollinator's paradise...I've never seen so many bees and other flying insects in my life! Two weekends ago when all of the violets were out in all their glory I had to be careful where I stepped to avoid all of the bumble bees. Oh, and dragonflies. They LOVE that corner of the garden (that's also the corner with the pond, too, but dragonflies love to sun themselves and that's the sunny corner).<br />
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Now that that confession is out of the way (whew! I feel better!), on to the garden list! I forgot to include the legend last time of what all of the colours and symbols mean, so here it is this time:<br />
- Plants in <b>bold text</b> are new to this iteration of the Garden List (numbered from the bottom up so new plants will always be at the top)<br />
- Plants in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green text</span> are species native to northeastern North America (specifically, southwestern Ontario)<br />
- Plants with an asterisk (*) beside their name are invasive in this area (again, specifically southwestern Ontario)<br />
- Any plants that I've already blogged about have links included<br />
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Cheers :)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jen's Garden List 2014: </span></b></u></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>44. Annual blue grass (<i>Poa annua</i>)*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>43. Mouse-ear chickweed (<i>Cerastium vulgatum</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>42. Thyme-leaved speedwell (<i>Veronica serpyllifolia</i>)</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>41. Lily-of-the-valley (<i>Convallaria majalis</i>)*: read all about lily-of-the-valley <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mays-official-flower-lily-of-valley.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/an-homage-to-royal-family.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">40. Great Solomon's-seal (<i>Polygonatum biflorum </i>or sometimes called <i>Polygonatum commutatum </i>or even <i>Polygonatum giganteum</i>): read all about great Solomon's-seal <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/photosynthetic-king-solomon.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>39. Bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">38. Red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>): read all about the red oak <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/oak-of-champions.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">37. Common or umbrella liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>)*: read all about the umbrella liverwort <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/liver-and-onions-of-plant-world.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>36. Sweet woodruff or sweetscented bedstraw (<i>Galium odoratum</i>)*: read all about sweet woodruff, aka master of the woods, <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/master-of-woods.html">HERE</a>.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">35. Woodland Jack-in-the-pulpit (<i>Arisaema atrorubens </i>or sometimes called <i>Arisaema triphyllum</i>): read all about Jack-in-the-pulpits <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/peekaboo-i-see-you.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">34. Freckled violet (<i>Viola sororia </i>'Freckles')*</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>33. Purple plum (<i>Prunus cerasifera </i>'Thundercloud')</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>32. Fivestamen chickweed (<i>Cerastium semidecandrum</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">31. Terrestrial water-starwort (<i>Callitriche terrestris</i>)</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>30. Yellow alyssum (<i>Aurinia saxatilis </i>or its other name <i>Alyssum saxatilae</i>)</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>29. Yellow rocket or winter cress (<i>Barbarea vulgaris</i>)*</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">28. Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)*: read all about garlic mustard <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">27. Lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>): read all about lungworts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">26. Common dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>)*: read all about dandelions <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">25. Fortune's spindle (<i>Euonymus fortunei</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">24. Violet lesser periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'La Grave')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">22. Creeping wood-sorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">21. Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>): read all about bleeding hearts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">20. Field pansy (<i>Viola kitaibeliana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100;">19. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): read all about moss phlox <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">18. Mountain rock cress (<i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">17. Norway spruce (<i>Picea abies</i>)*: read all about the Norway spruce <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown varieties (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Agenteovariegata')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)*</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWaXviDKn2U/U43ralHU7LI/AAAAAAAAGt8/H8iui0Q4cSs/s1600/2014_Jun3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nWaXviDKn2U/U43ralHU7LI/AAAAAAAAGt8/H8iui0Q4cSs/s1600/2014_Jun3a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A purple bugle (<i>Ajuga reptans</i>) growing neatly in the corner of the garden, now completely covered in purple flowers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPRIKW2n6QA/U43ra_Pcm2I/AAAAAAAAGuA/GWs2oTjw5_w/s1600/2014_Jun3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPRIKW2n6QA/U43ra_Pcm2I/AAAAAAAAGuA/GWs2oTjw5_w/s1600/2014_Jun3b.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The yellow alyssum (<i>Aurinia saxatilis</i>) cascading over some rocks. If you don't want it to cascade, you can prune it back after it's done flowering. Who knew?!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ-ps1V1-BQ/U43rab9relI/AAAAAAAAGt4/jcEBfV1YalE/s1600/2014_Jun3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ-ps1V1-BQ/U43rab9relI/AAAAAAAAGt4/jcEBfV1YalE/s1600/2014_Jun3c.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Our purple plum (<i>Prunus cerasifera</i>) in flower. I'll have to pay more attention this fall to whether we have fruit; they're edible and from what I hear quite tasty!</span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-88875724458800583122014-05-25T12:39:00.000-04:002014-05-25T12:39:34.552-04:00Garden List 2014 Update: May 25Here's my updated Garden List for the plant collections I've made (and successfully identified...) since my last post! It's amazing to see the diversity we have in our back yard.<br />
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<u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jen's Garden List 2014: </span></b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>28. Garlic mustard (<i>Alliaria petiolata</i>)*: read all about garlic mustard <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/mustard-for-all-seasons.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>27. Lungwort (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>): read all about lungworts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/breathe-in-breathe-out.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>26. Common dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale</i>)*: read all about dandelions <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/it-must-be-spring-when-grass-turns.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-monster-looms-in-bluebells.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>25. Fortune's spindle (<i>Euonymus fortunei</i>)*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>24. Violet lesser periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'La Grave')*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">23. Northern blue violet (<i>Viola septentrionalis</i>)</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>22. Creeping wood-sorrel (<i>Oxalis corniculata</i>)*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>21. Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>): read all about bleeding hearts <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/to-love-and-to-cherish.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>20. Field pansy (<i>Viola kitaibeliana</i>)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100;">19. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Moss phlox (<i>Phlox subulata</i>): read all about moss phlox <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/not-all-phlox-are-created-equal.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sandras-garden-proof-not-all-phlox-are.html">HERE</a>.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>18. Mountain rock cress (<i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>)*</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>17. Norway spruce (<i>Picea abies</i>)*: read all about the Norway spruce <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/charlie-brown-christmas-in-may.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/06/sandras-garden-when-two-become-one.html">HERE</a>.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown varieties (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">13. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">12. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html" style="color: #df092c; text-decoration: none;">HERE</a>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Agenteovariegata')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)*</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RanSI-zkhY/U4IajiiIYBI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/42TsiqT0xmI/s1600/2014_May25a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RanSI-zkhY/U4IajiiIYBI/AAAAAAAAGtQ/42TsiqT0xmI/s1600/2014_May25a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mountain rock cress (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c0100; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Arabis alpina </i>subsp. <i>caucasica</i>) in the front garden</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfoblzEw7k/U4IasKrSDPI/AAAAAAAAGtY/WUhq_FrOtlQ/s1600/2013_May19c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfoblzEw7k/U4IasKrSDPI/AAAAAAAAGtY/WUhq_FrOtlQ/s1600/2013_May19c.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lungwort flowers (<i>Pulmonaria officinalis</i>) that change colour according to pH of the soil. Unfortunately, all of the flowers turn purple when dry :(</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppIqWfT7Cmo/U4Ia2vg5glI/AAAAAAAAGtc/7jE_s80Wom4/s1600/Feb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppIqWfT7Cmo/U4Ia2vg5glI/AAAAAAAAGtc/7jE_s80Wom4/s1600/Feb2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bleeding hearts (<i>Lamprocapnos spectabilis</i>) flowers. This is one of my favourite pictures; I took it in a dark corner of the garden and the flash washed everything but the plant out. Because it was getting dark, it looks pitch-black out.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHnIcOKarqI/U4IbCvnqZ0I/AAAAAAAAGtg/m1GM3lQsyDk/s1600/May7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHnIcOKarqI/U4IbCvnqZ0I/AAAAAAAAGtg/m1GM3lQsyDk/s1600/May7a.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Moss phlox in the garden (<i>Phlox subulata</i>); there's also another cultivar that's commonly planted that has magenta flowers instead of light purple flowers.</span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-73755235521292137272014-05-15T12:26:00.001-04:002014-05-15T12:26:51.174-04:00Trying something new! Garden List 2014Would you look at that, it's already the middle of May. Where has all the time gone?! This is insane. For halfway through May, we've been experiencing some pretty terrible weather here, too. We had that "irrationally warm day in March that makes you think Spring is actually coming", and then 5 more weeks of Winter. Then we had about a week of BEAUTIFUL Summer-like weather, and then it snowed. Now we've been having truly Spring weather (the weather we usually get in April), and thunder storms every day (got our first tornado watch a couple of days ago! First recorded tornado in Southwestern Ontario was on Tuesday. Nothing like the damage in the southern US; only a low category EF1). All of the wildflowers (and bulbs, for that matter) are WAY behind where they usually are by this time. We have tulips in our garden that haven't even flowered yet. Some of our daffodils have just bloomed. It's a really, really weird Spring. I'm not sure I like this...<br />
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This year I've been inspired by some of my British twitter friends to start a Garden List. What's a Garden List, you ask? Well, it serves double duty. First, it's a great way to catalogue everything you have in your garden. This could stop at "green things", or you could do it for every living thing (bugs, birds, mammals, plants, lichens, fungi...). It's a great snapshot of all of the living things for one whole year that exist in the small parcel of land that you call home. The second reason why Garden Lists are awesome is that it teaches you how to identify living things. You find a weed in your garden with little white flowers. How do you know what it is? Where do you go to find out? Is there someone you can ask that's an encyclopedia of plant IDs? What about bugs? Which caterpillars will grow up into lovely butterflies that you want in your garden (like monarchs or swallowtails), and which ones are pests (like the spruce budworm)? If you can't identify the species, then you'd never know! So this year, I'm doing a Garden List and you should, too.<br />
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I've also decided that while I'm still at Western, I'm going to take my Garden List a step further. I've restricted my list to everything that's a plant or a fungus, and I'm going to make a herbarium collection of each species (with a few exceptions; I'm not going to dig up bulbs). I'm going to press and dry the plants, or dry the mushrooms in paper bags. Once dry, they'll be mounted on herbarium-quality mounting paper, a label will be made, and they'll be accessioned in a database. At the end of this year, I'll have a record on the computer of every single species in the garden, as well as a voucher collection for each one. I'm excited! And what better way to get back into the blogging swing of things than by bragging about my collection?! :)<br />
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Every week I'll post an ever-expanding list of the plants and fungi I've identified in the garden. The plants in bold text will be new from the week before, the plants or fungi with names in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">green</span> will be species native to Southwestern Ontario (don't expect many of these...it is a garden, after all!). An asterisk will denote invasive species, and I'll provide a link to another blog post if it's a plant I've blogged about before. I decided to do it in reverse-order so that the newest species would be at the top of the list every week. No scrolling required! This is exciting! Here we go! :)<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jen's Garden List 2014:</span></u></b><br />
<b>16. Tulips, at least 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Tulipa </i>sp.): read all about tulips <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tulipmania.html">HERE</a>.</b><br />
<b>15. Hyacinths, at least 3 different unknown varieties (<i>Hyacinthus orientalis</i>): read all about hyacinths <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hyacinth-plant-of-gods.html">HERE</a>.</b><br />
<b>14. Daffodils, 2 different unknown varieties (<i>Narcissus </i>sp.): read all about daffodils <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/02/happy-chinese-new-year.html">HERE</a> in my blog post about plants of the Chinese New Year.</b><br />
<b>13. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Judas ear (<i>Auricula americana</i>; a fungus)</span></b><br />
<b>12. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Common violet (<i>Viola papiliomacea </i>or <i>Viola sororia</i>)*</span></b><br />
<b>11. English violet (<i>Viola odorata</i>)*</b><br />
<b>10. Coltsfoot (<i>Tussilago farfara</i>)*</b><br />
<b>9. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern white-cedar (<i>Thuja occidentalis</i>): read all about the Eastern white-cedar <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/eastern-white-non-cedar.html">HERE</a>.</span></b><br />
<b>8. Corn speedwell (<i>Veronica arvensis</i>)*</b><br />
<b>7. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Wild strawberry (<i>Fragaria virginiana</i>)</span></b><br />
<b>6. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Eastern hemlock (<i>Tsuga canadensis</i>): read all about the Eastern hemlock <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/06/railroad-tree.html">HERE</a>.</span></b><br />
<b>5. Siberian or wood squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>)*</b><br />
<b>4. Variegated lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Agenteovariegata')*</b><br />
<b>3. Purple lesser or dwarf periwinkle (<i>Vinca minor </i>'Atropurpurea')*</b><br />
<b>2. Bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle (<i>Vinca major</i>)*</b><br />
<b>1. Hoary/hairy bittercress (<i>Cardamine hirsuta</i>)* </b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3hdPybJ0jE/U3TnvO1MqbI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/Ym_CrFKFzIQ/s1600/2014_May15a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3hdPybJ0jE/U3TnvO1MqbI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/Ym_CrFKFzIQ/s1600/2014_May15a.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Siberian squill (<i>Scilla siberica</i>) flower close-up</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XcY3Kaz25M/U3Tnvc9xtaI/AAAAAAAAGsU/NWizZCQzjSo/s1600/2014_May15b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XcY3Kaz25M/U3Tnvc9xtaI/AAAAAAAAGsU/NWizZCQzjSo/s1600/2014_May15b.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The entire squill plant. Too bad it's invasive...it's so pretty! Spreads by seeds and bulbs disturbed in the soil by tilling</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Daffodils. There's nothing for size scale here, but they are TINY. From the soil surface to the top of the plant is maybe 15 cm (6 inches)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some of our hyacinths in the front yard. We've got bright pink ones in the back yard, too.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Coltsfoot, a highly invasive species that looks similar to a dandelion but the basal rosette of leaves only appears after the flower has spread seed and died.</span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-33848301457530415302014-03-26T10:46:00.001-04:002014-03-26T10:46:28.175-04:00Blog Update: it's spring! But also, I'm still here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Spring!! Here where I live it's really, really hard to believe it's actually spring and not still winter (see picture below for the amount of snow we still have), especially since we had a blizzard yesterday afternoon. Not much snow actually stayed on the ground, but still...looking out the window yesterday afternoon made me very, very unhappy. Seems like this winter is never ending! Because it's a new season, I changed my blog colours to be more spring-y and reminiscent of spring flowers. And, of course, can't have a year go by without featuring my favourite colour on my blog background: PINK! :)</div>
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As I'm sure you've noticed (and some of you have actually e-mailed me; I do appreciate your concern), I've been a little...absent from my blog in the last month (and I guess the month before that, too...). It's not because I've lost interest or I've run out of pictures (you can NEVER run out of plants to blog about with a plant blog...), it's because I've been very, very busy this semester. I'm TAing as usual, I'm also recording lectures of another course for an online course project by the department, I'm helping map the second-year mandatory course curriculum in Biology for the department, I've been volunteering with ReForest London (more on that later), today I'm giving a talk to the London Garden Club about gardening with native species, I have a talk tomorrow at a teaching conference about my blog and the impact I think it's had since April 2012, I'm giving a talk in April at the Earth Day Colloquium on campus about the importance of trees in London, Ontario (and the history of trees in London), AND, last but certainly not least, I'm trying to finish my thesis. Whew! I've been busy. I do have more blog posts planned for when the term starts to slow down (April! Less to do in April! Trust me!)<br />
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So about this volunteering thing with ReForest London. A bit about the organization first....<br />
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ReForest London is a not-for-profit organization that is all about bringing nature back to the city. Their goal by 2020 is to plant one million trees in the city, on public or private property (visit their Million Tree Challenge website <a href="http://www.milliontrees.ca/" target="_blank">HERE</a>). There are many different ways to volunteer with the organization (tree planting, they have a neighbourhood Tree Captain program, tree giveaways, tree sales, etc.) and I've chosen one of their new programs to volunteer with called the Tree Teacher Program. There are three presentations that we give: Native Trees, The Importance of Trees, and The Emerald Ash Borer. The goal is to start educating the public about why trees are important and valuable, how they improve the quality of life of people living in the city, and why our natural areas should be protected. I've been having a great time with the program so far, and the most rewarding experience by far were my three talks with the Boys and Girls Club in the Teen Zone. The Teen Zone is where (obviously) teens come together after school to use the computers, play video games, do arts and crafts, sit on the couches and talk, or use any number of the facilities they have in the building. The ages of the teens participating in the program is probably 12-15 (just a guess based on conversations I've overheard about school), and they're interested in being on the computer or playing computer games (or listening to music really loudly) in the evenings and nothing else. To try to teach them about why trees are awesome was a big challenge, but I'm always up for a challenge. Oh, and of course I couldn't use the words "learn" or "teach", because that sounds WAY too much like school and that brings their interest level from 10% to -400%. So instead we "talked" about trees. Much less threatening.<br />
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The first session we talked about native trees and why trees from this area were pretty cool and worth knowing about (NOT learning about! Ha). I had them draw pictures about why trees are important in their life, and we played Tree Leaf Bingo. They had a blast, and learned a bunch. They were probably shocked that I managed to squeeze in some learning during non-learning time! The next time I talked about why trees were important (using their pictures in my presentation, which all of them thought was pretty awesome), and then we learned how to identify trees using a simple binary key and herbarium specimens (since trees with leaves are clearly hard to come by at this time of year...). They were SO IMPRESSED by herbarium specimens that now they want to come to campus to visit the herbarium and check out the stacks. Who would have thought that a herbarium would be a "cool place to visit" in the eyes of a 14-year-old that hates libraries?! One of them even told me at the end of that session "herbarium specimens are cooler than candy." If you say so! :) The third session was about Pests and Pathogens of Trees (a modification of the Emerald Ash Borer presentation), and that was the one that went over the best. I was allocated 30 minutes for a 15-minute presentation, some questions, and an activity. The session ended up going for 2 hours. TWO HOURS! It was two of the most rewarding hours of my life. All of the teens want to come to campus to visit again to walk around and visit the trees in the arboretum: the oldest, the biggest, the funniest-looking, etc. I never in a million years dreamed that I would turn a bunch of kids from "trees are boring" into "I WANT TO COME VISIT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TREES!!!" It was amazing. Just goes to show that a little perseverance and a lot of patience can do wonders.<br />
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So. That's my life in a nutshell over the last couple of months. As much as I love what I'm doing, I can't WAIT for life to slow down a bit! I've been counting down the days until the end of classes, which is really unusual for me because I love interacting with students so much. But the end of classes means the end of marking essays. And as much fun as that is...I'd rather not :)<br />
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More blog posts (especially about plants) coming soon!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-841464670622182242014-02-04T10:54:00.002-05:002014-02-04T10:54:42.875-05:00The most hated plant in North America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today is a very special blog post, brought to you by one of my very best(est) friends, Tanya! Everyone say Hi to Tanya! (Hi Tanya!) Tanya gets to work outside all day every day (OK, not all day every day, but she gets to be outside A LOT with her job), and has some really awesome pictures of really unusual plants in North America. This one certainly isn't uncommon, but that doesn't make it any less special! This blog is her first (of hopefully many!) guest post for my blog, and she's writing about a plant most of us absolutely hate. And if you don't know if you hate it...do you get a runny nose and red, itchy eyes in the fall? Yes? Then you hate this plant. Trust me :)</div>
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Without further ramblings by yours truly, take it away Tanya!</div>
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>common ragweed, annual ragweed<br />
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<b>Location: </b>top image from our guest contributor; images 2, 3, and 5 from melody at Dave's Garden (available <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/imagesbyuser.php?user=melody&offset=0&grep=Ambrosia&submit=Go" target="_blank">HERE</a>); image 4 from htop at Dave's Garden (available <a href="http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/imagesbyuser.php?user=htop&offset=0&grep=Ambrosia&submit=Go" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There may be another plant that a greater number of people despise (dandelions, maybe?), but for sheer intensity of feeling, I would argue that the most hated plant around must be Common Ragweed (<i>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</i>). Every year in mid-August, many of us get that old, familiar itchy-eyes and runny-nose feeling that sends us running for filtered, air-conditioned air and antihistamines, and Common Ragweed is most likely the culprit. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As Jen mentions in <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/painting-fields-gold-goldenrods.html">THIS POST</a>, many people blame their fall allergies on showy flowering plants like the innocent goldenrods.<span> </span>But, in order to cause your allergic reaction, you must breathe in the pollen grains, which means that the plant you’re allergic to is wind-pollinated: the plant produces lots and lots of pollen light enough to be blown around in the wind, and it’s betting that some of it will land on the female parts of another plant of the same species.<span> </span>Plants that use this strategy have small, inconspicuous flowers because they don’t need to expend energy to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to carry the pollen around for them.<span> </span>Common Ragweed falls into this category: its pollen can be carried by the wind for hundreds of kilometers.<span> </span>It’s hard to get away from this stuff.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Common Ragweed is native to North America (<i>Jen says: I put "non-native" for the species status so that I could have a diagram with the "Invasive" box highlighted!</i>) but has become an invasive species in Europe and Japan.<span> </span>It is a “supertramp” species (yes, that’s a legitimate ecological term), which means that it produces lots of seed, disperses widely, and does really well in disturbed habitats.<span> </span>When you start looking for Common Ragweed, you’ll most likely find it in highly disturbed areas, like beside roads and in agricultural fields rather than stable forested areas, so really, it’s all our fault there’s so much of this stuff around: we’ve created lots of habitat for it!<span> </span>There’s probably much more Common Ragweed around now than there was when Europeans arrived in North America.<span> </span>You can burn it, pull it, mow it, or kill it with chemicals, but it will most likely come back in full force the very next year.<span> </span>A good argument for increasing the amount of healthy forest and grassland habitats where Common Ragweed can’t compete, I say.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ragweed leaves are compound and finely divided, and look a little like Wild Carrot (<i>Daucus carota</i>, which you can read all about in <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/07/phytolace-sewn-by-queen-anne.html">THIS POST</a>) or Yarrow (<i>Achillea millefolium</i>, which you can read all about in <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-achilles-flower-common-yarrow.html">THIS POST</a>). The flowers and seeds are produced in a tall spike called a raceme, and the plant grows to be about one meter in height. This means that, in many areas, it isn’t completely covered by snow throughout the winter, and any of the seeds remaining on the plant remain accessible to animals like birds and small mammals. The seeds have a very high oil content too, which makes them even more valuable to wildlife. When Common Ragweed is causing you or your loved ones autumn misery, think about the mice and voles that will be depending on their stored ragweed seeds to survive until spring... and in the process, spreading them all over the place so there will be lots more for next year!</span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-75219255363246631972014-01-30T15:45:00.003-05:002014-01-30T15:45:47.671-05:00The chestnut that horses don't want<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Aesculus hippocastanum</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>horse chestnut<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University campus<br />
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The horse chestnut is a tree native to southern Europe around the Mediterranean and the Balkan Mountains. While the native range of this species is actually quite small, it is one of the dominant species that exists there and is also widely planted around the world. It can be a pretty nasty species (more on that below), but has a stunning flower display in late April and early May. The fruits, looking very similar to the fruits of the Ohio buckeye (which you can read all about <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2013/11/the-buckeye-battle-cry-revisited.html">HERE</a>), start to appear in late summer. They are mostly left alone, but can be eaten (and seem to be enjoyed) by deer.<br />
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The common name of this plant is incredibly misleading, but is based in history. First the "horse" part refers to an anecdotal story that after horses ate the fruit, they would no longer complain of chest pain. You'd have to be some sort of pretty awesome horse-whisperer to be able to have a horse tell you it no longer had chest pain! The other minor detail to this story...you wouldn't be able to hear the horse telling you "Thanks! My chest pain is gone!" over the sounds of its seizures. Horse chestnut seeds and the fruit walls are poisonous to horses and should never be fed to them under any circumstances. Horses are pretty smart animals; they won't touch them. The other half of the name comes from the fact that it was believed that this tree was closely related to the American chestnut tree, mostly due to the fact that they have similar fruit and seed appearances. The leaves, however, are wildly different and the flowers of the true chestnut trees are also not nearly as showy. They are not easily confused, nor are they closely related! The true chestnuts and the horse chestnut are only distantly related.<br />
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The uses of the horse chestnut are so varied it makes me wonder if this really is a "miracle tree". The first use I'm just going to do the ultimate "thou shalt not do" and just copy-paste from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus_hippocastanum" target="_blank">horse chestnut Wikipedia article</a> because it's so mind-boggling. Here it is:<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">In the past, horse-chestnut seeds were used in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">France</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Switzerland</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> for whitening hemp, flax, silk and wool. They contain a soapy juice, fit for washing of linens and stuffs, for milling of caps and stockings, etc., and for fulling of cloth. For this, 20 horse-chestnut seeds were sufficient for six litres of water. They were peeled then rasped, or dried and ground in a malt or other mill. The water must be soft, either rain or river water; hard well water will not work. The nuts are then steeped in cold water, which soon becomes frothy, as with soap, and then turns milky white. The liquid must be stirred well at first, and then, after standing to settle, strained or poured off clear. Linen washed in this liquid, and afterwards rinsed in clear running water, takes on an agreeable light sky-blue colour. It takes spots out of both linen and wool, and never damages or injures the cloth.</span>"</span></i><br />
That is...crazy. How is this not marketed as a product?! A "natural" way to clean wool and linen, and the fibres are not destroyed in the process. The only thing I can figure is that it must be prepared fresh each time, and so it's viable today as a marketable product. If it was, it could be turned into a "Tide Stick type of product"--a Wool Stick?--and sold as a spot cleaner. This could be quite the money-maker...<br />
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The second historical use of the plant is as a soap and shampoo, along the same lines as the first use. The seeds are ground into boiling water in a sealable container (which sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but what do I know?!), shaken vigorously (try not to have the container explode on you...), and then strained. Once the liquid is cool enough to be applied to the scalp, it works to remove the buildup from your hair. Nifty! Not nifty enough for me personally to want to try it, but nifty all the same.<br />
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Along a totally different vein, the seeds of the horse chestnut can also be broken into small pieces and then added to a fermentation solution containing the bacterium <i>Clostridium</i> <i>acetobutylicum</i>, from the same genus of bacteria that gives us botulism which is a very potent type of food poisoning, which produces acetone as an end product of fermentation (instead of the usual ethanol like brewer's yeast produces). Acetone can then be diluted to make nail polish remover, or it could be used later in the production of cordite (it's first use, prior to nail polish remover), an explosive used in bombs (and as a gunpowder replacement in other explosive devices like bullets).<br />
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And yet another completely different use, in order for an outdoor patio to be called a true "beer garden," it must be shaded by horse chestnuts according to Bavarian law. Now the term applies to any outdoor patio space where beer is the main item consumed, but that didn't used to be the case. Bavarian law also dictates (as an aside) the only four ingredients which may be used in the beer-making process: water, barley, hops, and yeast. If the "beer" that you drink contains anything other than those four ingredients (such as wheat beers, rice beers, or beers flavoured with things other than hops), it technically cannot be called beer.<br />
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One of the compounds found in horse chestnut seed extract, aescin, is used medicinally to treat a condition called chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. This condition arises when the veins can no longer return deoxygenated blood in your body back to your heart (where it pumps it to your lungs to push out the carbon dioxide and pick up new oxygen). This can result in severe pain due to a lack of oxygen in the extremities, and in especially severe cases can result in the loss of limbs. The causes of this condition can be quite varied, with specific medical conditions often arising in CVI (like diabetes, MS, and even a brief disruption of oxygen to a developing embryo in the womb) or the result of repeated leg injuries (like in the case of paratroopers, tree-climbers, mountain climbers, or people who climb utility poles for repairs). This is not a do-it-yourself medical treatment, however. The aescin must be carefully extracted from the seeds and purified in order to exclude any esculin, a deadly toxic glycoside also present in horse chestnut seeds, from the preparation. If even a small amount of esculin is ingested it can result in seizure, vomiting, severe dehydration, coma, and even death. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop homeopathic practitioners from prescribing it as a homeopathic remedy to thin the blood. Yet another example of the idea that just because it's natural doesn't mean it's good for you or even safe. Be aware of what you're putting in your body and the potential side effects!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-22575205652223885462014-01-27T18:44:00.000-05:002014-01-27T18:44:30.939-05:00A new development, a cool blog posted by someone else, and a weird plant news storyThis blog will be three things all rolled into one, and not at all like my usual blogs that I post. Three things to cover! So let's start with the first...<div>
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Some of you might have noticed a new pretty picture that has appeared in the side bar (over THERE *points to the right of the screen*) near the top. Why the new badge? Well, my blog has been syndicated with Science Borealis. No, this doesn't mean they pay me to air re-runs. Although, that would be very, very cool (getting PAID to BLOG?! One can dream), it's not at all what's going on :) Instead, it's more like a website that's a giant RSS feed. It shows blogs written highlighting science in Canada, all neatly arranged by topic (biology, physics, chemistry, there's some math, general science, science outreach...a whole bunch of topics!). If you click on the image, it takes you right to the Science Borealis homepage, where you can see a stream of blogs (updated every time one is posted!) and the category that they fall into. If you've got some time that you'd like to spend reading about a given topic, you can also search through that specific category and read up on that perspective from a whole lot of science bloggers in Canada. If you haven't visited the site yet, you should. I don't get any kind of personal incentive to send you there, in case you were wondering. Instead, I just like spreading the message about all the awesome blogs written by Canadian scientists. We're a talented bunch! Well, they're a talented bunch. I'm just good at pretending :)</div>
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Visit <a href="http://www.scienceborealis.ca/" target="_blank">Science Borealis</a>!</div>
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OK! Topic two.</div>
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There's this really neat series of blogs that have recently been brought to my attention called the Berry Go Round. You can read more about it in detail <a href="http://berrygoround.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">HERE</a>, but in a nutshell it's a series of blog posts written by a whole bunch of different bloggers in science and nature. It's a very "non-sciency" approach to nature, and there are some very, very talented people that write about why nature (plants in particular) rocks. How did I not know about this before?! Every month a different blogger volunteers to create a blog post highlighting some interesting blog posts that they've read about a specific topic. This month's post is all about where nature and humans intersect, and how we often rely on nature and natural ecological processes more than we think. And GUESS WHAT?! I'm featured. Woo hoo! If you'd like to read this month's Berry Go Round post, you can do so <a href="http://notesofnature.blogspot.ca/2014/01/berry-go-round-66.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> at my "Internet Friend" Tim Havenith's blog called <a href="http://notesofnature.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Notes of Nature</a>. As an aside, Tim is a pretty awesome blogger so you should browse his blog if you've got some time on your hands. The pictures he takes are also quite stunning. There are times I have some pretty severe pictographical jealousy.</div>
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And last but not least, topic three!</div>
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I stumbled across this really, REALLY unusual news story on Twitter last month, and I sat there shaking my head at the absurdity of it. I've mentioned this place before in my blog, but there's a really amazing botanical garden in England known as the Royal Botanical Garden Kew (or, in plain English just Kew). They have probably the biggest greenhouse and botanical garden complex in the world (I don't know that for a fact but boy...it seems big!), and they have some spectacular plant displays from gigantic water lilies (which I blogged about <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/05/queen-victorias-waterlily.html">HERE</a>) to teeny tiny orchids and everything inbetween. One of their glasshouses (or greenhouses, as us North Americans like to call them) was built before most of the houses in the entire city I live in. It's crazy a bunch of glass can last that long!</div>
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OK, right. Relevance. </div>
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Two weeks ago the world's smallest lily was stolen from Kew. That's right, a plant was stolen. The plant is special not only because it's the world's smallest lily, but also because it is critically endangered; it is known now only from "captivity" since it went extinct in the wild (it's native range is a very, very small area in Rwanda) about six years ago. The botanists at Kew finally managed to recreate the environmental conditions required for the plant to flourish, and have managed to grow 50 plants from seed. And then someone stole the parent plant. Stole it! Right out from under the noses of Kew's staff, in the middle of the day. So if you think only animal poaching exists, think again. Plant poaching is alive and well, unfortunately. The best part about all of this is that the plant will almost certainly die since its captors don't know the exact environmental conditions required for the plant to flourish. This case is being taken so seriously in England that the Metropolitan police are on the case and are prepared to prosecute the thieves to the highest degree possible. And since this plant was on international "thou shalt not possess" treaties...the penalties may be incredibly steep. So if you hear of someone trying to pawn off a half-dead miniature lily on Craigslist, let Kew or the Met police know. Stop stealing critically endangered plants, people! They're there to look at, not to take at your leisure.</div>
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If you'd like to read the news story, you can do so on the Telegraph site <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10569640/Worlds-smallest-water-lily-stolen-from-Kew-Gardens.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Nymphaea thermarum</i>, the world's smallest lily, stolen from Kew Gardens </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(from <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10569640/Worlds-smallest-water-lily-stolen-from-Kew-Gardens.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a>)</i></span></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-50061012552309426232014-01-22T17:33:00.001-05:002014-01-22T17:33:08.844-05:00The creeping vine from Virginia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Parthenocissus quinquefolia</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>Virginia creeper<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University campus<br />
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As promised in my last blog, this post is about the "other" common vine with blackish-blue berries common, and native, to this area: Virginia creeper. Many people are actually surprised to learn that this species is native, as we don't often associate native species as being potentially invasive species. Anyone who has ever grown Virginia creeper in their garden under ideal conditions knows it will absolutely explode in growth and smother out anything in its path; a rather unfortunate characteristic since I like to encourage gardening with native species! Fortunately, Virginia creeper isn't as vigorous as grower as periwinkle or kudzu, so when you go to bed one night and wake up the next morning your house won't be covered in it (that has never actually happened, but at times it sure feels like both of those plants could grow that fast). The Virginia creeper vine is native to eastern North America, and its native range extends from Quebec and Ontario south to Texas and Alabama. There's a bit of an argument about whether or not its native range is also extending into northeastern Mexico (a few botanists believe it to be either introduced or a different species, depending on who you ask).<br />
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Virginia creeper is one of the banes of my existence because it doesn't follow the rules set out by its Latin name. The species epithet "<i>quinquefolia</i>" refers to its five leaflets, all originating from the same point on the petiole which is referred to as a palmately compound leaf. Unfortunately, no one told the Virginia creeper that it had five leaflets originating from a common point on the petiole. When young, sometimes the leaves only produce three leaflets (called a trifolate leaf). This is all fine and dandy, except what other plant might you know about that produces three leaflets from a common point, with the same general leaflet shape as Virginia creeper, and can also grow as a smothering vine along tree trunks? That's right, poison ivy. If you don't want to get mistaken for poison ivy, don't go looking like poison ivy! Geez. There have been a few times I've been out in forests where I could have SWORN that what my supervisor was grabbing onto to push out of the way was poison ivy, but turns out he knew it was only an abnormal Virginia creeper vine. Better to be safe than sorry I think, so I steer clear. Based on the skin sensitivity I display towards other stinging or itchy things (plant or animal-based), I would probably blow up like a balloon if I got the two confused. Keep trifolate leaves away from me and I'm a happy camper :)<br />
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All of that being said, Virginia creeper can be a nasty plant in its own right. The whole plant contains oxalic acid, which can be a very potent skin irritant to some people (and those with sensitive skin to other plant-based toxins, especially rhubarb juice, are most likely to be affected). The berries also contain very high levels of oxalic acid and so should not be eaten. Rarely will they cause any type of major problem other than intense intestinal discomfort, but if children confuse them for grapes and eat a lot of them there could be severe consequences. The oxalic acid crystals are sharp enough to perforate mucous membranes, and so severe internal bleeding can result after ingesting significant amounts. As with many toxic plants, a hot-water infusion made from the fruits (most of the time, but sometimes also the leaves) of this plant were used by Native North Americans as a treatment for heart conditions, diarrhea, prostate disease (or other diseases or disorders that might cause difficulty or painful urination), and joint swelling due to (most often) rheumatoid arthritis. No clinical trials have ever been set up to determine if the plant can be effective against any of these conditions, but the possibility is there.<br />
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Aside from its traditional medicinal use, this plant is becoming more and more popular as a garden ornamental species. It is very successful in full sun, and does a great job of climbing up buildings to act as insulation from the sun (and so is especially successful on south-facing walls). Fortunately for homeowners using this plant in landscaping, it (like Boston Ivy but unlike English Ivy) produces sticky knobs to attach itself to a substrate (like your brick wall on your house). English Ivy, that nasty little vine, produces penetrating roots that worm their way right into the mortar between the bricks in order to anchor itself. This means that Virginia creeper is a much less destructive plant to grow on the side of your house. There's always a catch to all things that sound to good to be true, isn't there?! The catch for this plant is that removing adhesive knobs can still be quite a labour-intensive process because pulling the live plant from the wall will still rip out small pieces of brick and mortar along with the adhesive knobs. If, however, you cut the plant at the base (either at ground-level for complete removal or just a branch here and there for trimming purposes) and let the plant wither and die on the house, it can be removed once brown with no damage at all (the adhesive knobs have to be alive to be adhesive!). It's like magic! The only downside is that Virginia creeper vines do lose their leaves in the fall (but not before turning a BRILLIANT shade of red first), so you don't get the same kind of winter insulation as you do with English ivy. But for the cost of having to re-brick the side of your house...I think the substitution is worth it!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-79780581335866046592014-01-15T17:32:00.001-05:002014-01-15T17:47:39.526-05:00Wine? Wine not!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Vitis riparia</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>riverbank grape<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University campus<br />
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The riverbank grape is one of our great native vine species (the other major native eastern North American species to be featured in the next blog, Virginia creeper). It is a very vigorous grower, capable of growing up to the top of a riparian forest tree canopy (not nearly as tall as a "normal" tree canopy of a forest, since trees that live in riparian, or riverbank, areas don't tend to be able to grow as tall). In the southern areas of its native range it can be a real pest species, but here in Ontario other native species are pretty good at competing with it. Some trees have a harder time than others, but non-native species have an especially difficult time with the smothering tendencies this species sometimes has. That being said, as soon as it is transplanted, either naturally via bird poop (the most common animal vector) or "artificially" via human transplantation, into an area of lowland or upland forest the forest canopy can really suffer as a result. It is remarkably good at smothering new saplings before they have a chance to grow tall enough to escape it, and some forests are so thick with grape vines they're impassable. A great example of a species that grows well in harmony with other species in its native habitat, but can become a real pest, even in its native range, if introduced beyond those limits.<br />
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The riverbank grape has a bit of a bad rap in Ontario and the northeastern United States, but that perception seems to be changing a bit. In the 1940s and 1950s, the US government (the Canadian government quickly followed suit) decided that riverbank grape vines were a forest pest and that this species should be eradicated. There had been a lot of accidental introductions of this species into areas important in the logging and lumber trade, and if you're allowing a vine to smother your profits you're not a very good businessperson! So instead of just local eradication programs, these programs were carried out across the United States and into Ontario and Quebec, and whenever a riverbank grape vine was seen in a forest (either riparian area or otherwise) it was sprayed with very toxic herbicides. This was very effective at killing the vines, but also equally effective in killing all of the surrounding vegetation and poisoning the soil (both for soil microbes, very important in forest health, but also making it inhospitable to new seedlings). Unfortunately, it was far too late before anyone realized what was happening, so you still find "dead zones" where mature trees escaped the soil poisoning by having a root system vast enough to support itself with un-poisoned soil, but the understory species are completely missing. I have a rather personal connection to riverbank grape, because one of the species of fungi that I study for my PhD grows exclusively on grape vine in North America. Unfortunately, there's a catch (as there always seems to be with rules regarding where fungi are most likely to be found): it only grows on mature, living or dead grape vine. This means that any suitable habitat that might have been in forest ecosystems in the 1800s when a lot of the work was being done on the fungal flora of North America no longer exists for this species. For this reason, it was collected three times in the 1880s by great, now long-dead, mycologists only to never be recorded ever again. Have these species gone extinct because of our destruction of their host species? No one, including myself, knows that for sure. Since the 1930s there has been a lack of concerted effort to document the diversity of forest species, only re-invigorated in the early 2000s. What I can say is that for the last 6 years whenever I'm in a forest where there's grape vine I look for it...and haven't found it yet. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right spot, or perhaps it doesn't exist anymore. I'll let you know in 20 years when I either find it or give up looking. ;) This idea of "disappearing species" is not unique in mycology; there are also a lot of plant species that were discovered during the times of the Great World Explorers (as I like to call them) that have never been found again. Part of the problem stems from the lack of location data for the collections--how do I know where "Aunt Edna's House, near the south greenhouse but past the wood pile, 5 minutes from the beach" is?! Sure, maybe EVERYONE in 1872 knew where Aunt Edna's house was...but it's long gone by now. You don't realize just how useful GPS coordinates are until you have to figure out something like that!<br />
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Anyway, back on topic...<br />
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Riverbank grape fruits are reportedly edible, and were also reportedly an important food source in the summer for early settlers in North America. Now, I'm guessing that tastes have progressed a bit since those times, or perhaps they were much less picky eaters than we are now (or maybe a bit of both). Have you ever tried a grape from a wild grape vine? They are TERRIBLE. I wasn't expecting a sweet grape when I tried one, but holy jeez. This was...terrible. That's the only way I can describe it. It was gooey and had the most awful texture on the planet (almost like jello on the inside), plus one of the most sour fruits I've ever had in my life (puts the Cornelian cherry to shame, which you can read all about HERE, and I often eat lemons for fun...so that tells you something about my tolerance for "sour"). My friend Tanya convinced me to try one when we were out geocaching one afternoon, and I could taste the lingering "lip-puckering sour" in my mouth for hours. That's the last time I ever listen to Tanya. Ha.<br />
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Sure, the grapes don't taste that great and the plant isn't all that much to look at (although, I personally really love the shape of their leaves and the cute little curving tendrils that are most visible during the winter and early spring), riverbank grape is one of the single most important "novelty agriculture species" that we have in North America. I call them an agricultural novelty not because their use is new, but because the product we get from them is certainly not necessary for everyday life (some people might argue with me on that one; we'll agree to disagree) nor has it ever been. Wild grape vines are VERY tolerant to winter conditions in North America, which can be incredibly harsh, especially in the ground. Traditional wine grape vines, of the species <i>Vitis vinifera</i>, don't have a very cold hardy root system, and are prone to freezing damage in northern climates. For this reason, riverbank grape rootstock is often grafted onto a wine grape scion (or "top") for commercial grape production for the wine industry. Once grapevine producers were experts in the creation of natural hybrids, they started experimenting with different varieties of <i>V. vinifera </i>as well as <i>V. riparia</i> to make more cold-tolerant grape vines, but with the same commercial qualities of traditional wine grapes. Another major benefit is that the resulting hybrid is much more resistant to common fungal diseases encountered on grape vines. Eventually what was obtained were varieties that were genetically 50-80% wine grapes, and 20-50% riverbank grape. Baco Noir, Marchel Foch (sometimes called Marechal Foch) and Frontenac grapes are all hybrids between these two species, and produce some of the best wine in the world. Isn't it amazing what a little traditional plant breeding can do?! Cheers to grapes.<br />
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Traditional uses by Aboriginal North Americans are also numerous; they are used as a food (although, I'm guessing in small numbers), to make jellies and jams, and to produce a type of traditional North American wine. From what I understand, this wine is really unpleasant when compared to wine from a "real" winery, but it really packs a punch: it has 2-3 times the alcohol content of a traditional wine. Maybe it's alcoholic enough you don't realize how terrible it is! Not commercially sold, but every so often you might be able to find some courtesy of a backyard brewer. Let me know how it is, if you get a chance to try it.Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-61447984461573235492014-01-09T18:35:00.000-05:002014-01-09T18:35:13.086-05:00Burr it's cold!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Arctium </i>sp. (probably <i>Arctium lappa</i>)<br />
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<b>Common name: </b>burdock (probably greater burdock)<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University Campus, London, Ontario<br />
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I decided to start this year off with a bang, or a burr if you will, using a blog post with lots of pretty pictures. :) Who doesn't love pretty pictures?! The burdock plant is pretty well-known in North America where it was introduced from Europe, the Middle East and Asia (pretty much every area in the Northern Hemisphere EXCEPT North America). Across its native and introduced range it has the potential to become quite invasive, as it thrives in disturbed, nitrogen-rich soils. This makes it an especially-potent agricultural weed species. In most cases, however, when burdock seeds enter an area (especially a landscaped garden like you'd find around a home) a couple might develop into plants but spreading is rare. While I took these pictures on campus, there is also a very small colony (two plants) growing in my back yard. Since they're out of the way, I've left them there and hoped that the "keeper of the garden" (aka my dad) doesn't find them ugly enough to remove. To me, they're pretty in their own way. I wouldn't want lots of them (since they're irritating in their own way, too!), but one or two is just fine.<br />
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I had a bit of trouble getting this plant down to the species level because I neglected to make notes of (or take pictures of) the distinguishing characteristics between the greater burdock and the lesser burdock. One of the main ways to tell them apart is by looking at the base of the flower, or what we would call the "burr." If the flower is on a stalk, it's the greater burdock, and if the flower is directly attached to the branch (or is on a very short stalk), it's the lesser burdock. Since I think these pictures are just great, I'm going to go with the greater burdock :) Next time since I know what I'm looking for I'll make sure I photograph the stalks (or lack thereof) that the flowers are sitting on so I can make sure my identification is correct! There is one more burdock species in Ontario (also a non-native species) called the woolly burdock, but this one is easily distinguished from the other two. It has a bract at the bottom of each leaf that has very fine spike-like hairs on it. Neither of the other two species we have here show this characteristic. Aside from the flowers on (or not on) stalks, the other way to tell the lesser and greater burdock apart is based on size; the greater burdock is almost twice the size at maturity, and can have a taproot up to three feet long. For a plant that's only about three times bigger than that (but many in Canada don't reach that size), that's an enormous root! For all three species there are separate male and female flowers within the flower head. You can tell the difference by looking for the stigmas (the female bits of the flowers); they are pointed out with the bright pink arrow in the picture third from the bottom. Usually the stigmas only develop after the stamens of the male flowers have released their pollen; this way the plant can make sure the stigmas will catch pollen, but it won't be its own pollen; this is one of the mechanisms most often used to ensure cross-pollination between individual plants, rather than the pollen of an inflorescence landing on the stigma from that same inflorescence.<br />
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The burdock plant is pretty awesome for two reasons. First, if you look closely at the last picture you'll see that the burrs open up at the top to release the seeds, which are like miniature dandelion seeds, fluffy bit and all. The actual burr is covered in hairs with a hook at the end, and the tip of the hook has a very sharp point. This makes the burr feel "sticky" when you put it on your skin or when you grab at one, even though there's actually no sticky substance on the hairs. If you own a dog and have ever walked it through a forest or a field, I'm sure you're well aware of the nightmare that is "de-burring" a dog. The type of hair that covers dogs is just made for burrs using those hooked hairs to latch on for seed dispersal. Eventually, the dog will roll around on the ground, breaking open the burr and releasing the seeds (or the seeds will just gradually fall out of the hole in the burr, being released as the dog walks). Burrs certainly didn't co-evolve with dogs, but more like woolly mammoths, bears, moose, and other animals characteristic of northern climates (dogs just happen to be what is most likely to come by now). In the 1940s, a very smart man by the name of George de Mestral was getting very annoyed at having to pick burrs off of his dog after taking him for walks. After a few years of this he decided to clip some out of the dog fur instead of pulling them off so he could look at how the burrs attach to the dog hair. He realized he could exploit this technology; by collecting his dog's hair that comes off in brushes and the hairs of the burr, he could glue one to one side of two things he wanted to join, and glue the other to the other side. Once they come in contact, they would be permanently joined until they were carefully separated. Obviously no one wants dog hair and burrdock burrs glued to their clothing, but making synthetic versions of both of these gave us one of the most important inventions in the 20th century: velcro. Parents will small children: Mr. de Mestral I'm sure says "you're welcome!"<br />
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The other awesome part about this plant is that the giant taproot forming at the base of the plant is actually edible. Back in the Middle Ages in Europe this plant was actually one of many staple food crops, and was eaten and cultivated across Europe. Since then it has largely been abandoned as a source of food, but every so often you find it popping up in local cuisine. In Japan, for example, greater burdock roots are still peeled and cooked in a traditional stir-fry dish called <i>kinpira gobo</i> ("kinpira" for carrot, "gobo" for burdock). I didn't realize what I was eating at the time, but I had this dish when I was in Japan. It's pretty good! Not all that much flavour, but certainly not undesirable. I would definitely have it again now that I know what I'm eating.<br />
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Greater burdock roots also have a long history of being used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat blood and kidney diseases. Depending on what part of the plant is consumed (not the roots), it can be a pretty powerful diuretic, so if you don't know what you're doing, don't cook it. Other medicinal uses have not been established to be effective or ineffective, but there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that some uses may be beneficial. First, the Ojibwa people have used burdock roots in a tea-like preparation to treat cancer (no evidence this is effective) and the leaves in a maceration with oils to treat baldness (also no evidence this is effective, but it does clean hair nicely if rinsed well). The Chinese also crush the seeds and consume the powder to treat flu, nausea and colds, and there is some evidence that this might be effective. The seeds contain chemicals called arctigenin, arctiin and aglycone, which have been shown in mice to be effective as: anti-viral treatments (especially against influenza A), anti-inflammatory agents (especially in the small intestine, but also to some degree in swollen joints as a result of arthritis), and anti-cancer treatments (extracts from the seeds, and pulverized seeds themselves, have been shown to kill tumour cells growing on artificial nutrient medium in petri dishes; this has never been tested in a living body of any type of animal). You never know; in a few decades burdock extract might be one of our new "wonder drugs"!<br />
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I'm back at blogging, and thanks for sticking through my absence! I really appreciate all of your continued support in my endeavours to spread the word that plants are awesome. Happy New Year to those that celebrate at this time of year!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-37599632552358520662014-01-06T15:10:00.000-05:002014-01-06T15:10:04.244-05:00Happy Winter!While I was off on "blogging vacation," it switched over to being winter...literally and figuratively. Sure, we've had some cold days up until now, but lately it has been "stay inside never to emerge from the house" kind of cold. Tomorrow is supposed to feel like -40 degrees C with the wind chill. Are you kidding me!? Who can live like this?! I'm not sure what exactly Canada did to the weather gods, but whatever it is...we're all sorry. So very, very sorry. And we promise never to do it again. Just please...warm...up...!!!<br />
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Regardless of how cold it is, we officially welcomed the Winter Solstice (or summer for all you southern hemisphere residents) near the end of December, which means this blog needs new colours! Reminiscent of the freezing cold temperatures, we've got an icy blue for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully it's not too retinal-burning.<br />
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Welcome to winter! Nothing against you, winter, but feel free to leave as soon as you'd like. I think we've all had enough of you already. Bring on spring!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-28521743770704714292013-12-21T15:40:00.002-05:002013-12-21T15:40:40.863-05:00So apparently I'm taking a hiatus!You know those times when you just...forget to write blogs? And then wonder how 3 weeks has passed and no one reminded you? Yeah, this is one of those times :)<br />
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So what I've decided is to continue my blog-writing hiatus to the beginning of January. This gives me a whole month to enjoy family get-togethers, the "HOLY-JEEZ-I-AM-IN-NO-WAY-READY-FOR-CHRISTMAS" mad scramble at the grocery store (done and done, at least we thought we were. Still need to go buy baking ingredients! Wish me luck...), watching a bunch of Christmas-themed movies on TV, and writing a solid chunk of my thesis.<br />
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But don't worry! I will definitely be back in January with a whole bunch of new and exciting blogs. Thank you to everyone who continues to read my blog about why plants are awesome, and hopefully I can get some new "converts" in my students next term. Feel free to share my blog link around to your friends and family; even though no new blogs will be posted until January, there should be more than enough to keep them busy until then!<br />
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Enjoy your families over the next few days. You only get one, whether you like them or not :) Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy "whatever other Holiday you're celebrating in December"!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-21938509438775298302013-11-29T15:14:00.000-05:002013-11-29T15:20:20.285-05:00The maple of Black Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Acer nigrum</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>black maple<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University campus<br />
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What better way to celebrate the phenomenon that is Black Friday with a...black maple! You bet I've been holding off on this blog for weeks! For those of you not from the United States or Canada and who are unfamiliar with this "Black Friday thing," here's a brief run-down. Traditionally in Canada the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. Truly, I have no idea what the history of Boxing Day is, but now it has morphed into the National Day of Shopping. Crazy people (like me) get up at 6 am in order to make it to the mall as soon as it opens, and every store has some kind of crazy sale. Boxing Day is one of my favourite days of the year since I love shopping, but I absolutely refuse to pay full-price for an item. Not to be outdone, the United States has Black Friday. Since Christmas isn't actually that big of a deal in the US (trust me, I'm surprised, too), Thanksgiving is their biggest national holiday (aside from possibly Independence Day in some areas), and it weirdly occurs on a Thursday. In order to "bridge the gap" between Thanksgiving and the weekend, the phenomenon known as Black Friday has evolved. That is the day that Americans get up ridiculously early and go shopping. And let me tell you: Black Friday deals in some stores are ridiculous. While I've never been to the States on a Black Friday (and never intend to go; the day is notorious for people getting trampled to death in order to get to the good deals first), I've heard some great stories of people scoring big-screen TVs for $32, or a brand new iPhone 5C for $49 with no contract. That's crazy! I have no idea whether Boxing Day or Black Friday came first, but I like to think Boxing Day did. Because I'm Canadian, and all good things are Canadian before Americans steal our ideas. Like basketball. And hockey.<br />
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Back to plants! The black maple is actually a "species" under furious debate amongst botanists, and the crowd is currently split about its species status. There are some botanists (that I like to think are in the majority, but I'm honestly not sure) that say the black maple is a good species and deserves its own Latin name. There's another group, however, that is absolutely convinced that it's merely a subspecies of the sugar maple, and should actually be called <i>Acer saccharum </i>subsp. <i>nigrum</i>. Unfortunately, should this prove to be the case, the black maple would lose all designation as a species and no longer be protected by any kind of Species At Risk legislation across all of North America, where it has its native range. To me, this would be tragic since I happen to really like black maples. But I do see where "the other side" is coming from: black maples and sugar maples readily hybridize with each other, their wood can be used for the exact same purposes in the lumber trade because they have the same grain qualities and the same chemical makeup (the same amount of lignin and cellulose, with the same type of ring structure), they can both be used to produce maple syrup (although, black maples much less so than sugar maples), and they have very similar maple key characteristics. The most notable difference is the shape of the leaves; the black maple leaf is much more rounded at the bottom than the sugar maple (which is nearly flat), the black maple leaf has only three main lobes with no minor lobes (the sugar maple leaf has three main lobes and two much smaller lobes at the base near the petiole), and the leaves of the black maple "droop" like they're always slightly dehydrated (while sugar maple leaves are flat and not droopy at all). In fact, the slightly floppy quality to the leaves is the reason why most black maples are accidentally massacred on residential properties. Because they always look like they're drought-stressed and need water, people who don't know that's what black maples look like normally drown them to death. The poor trees! And I will admit, until a few months ago I would have been in the "drowning the tree" boat. I always thought this poor tree needed some water (and since it is in the middle of an island in a huge parking lot, not getting much water is a very real possibility) and so likely would have drowned it, too, had I not been told differently. Now we all know. :)<br />
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So what are black maples good for, aside from maple syrup? Well, a lot if you ask the Ojibwa people. Not only did they boil the sap of the black maple to concentrate the sugars to use as a sweetener in cooking, but they also boiled the bark and drank the resulting liquid to treat diarrhea and to act as a diuretic. Neither of these uses have been evaluated in clinical trials. The branches of this tree can also be very straight, and so made good wood for arrows and were the preferred source for "arrow wood". The wood of the black maple is also easily carved, especially when young, and so was sometimes carved into elaborate shapes for ornamental pieces and for kitchen items like spoons and bowls.<br />
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If you went out to brave the crowds today, hopefully you managed to pick up something you liked and got a great deal!Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-60237405918093101902013-11-22T15:07:00.002-05:002013-11-22T15:07:28.234-05:00Remembering JFK with cornflowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0A5xPgYmDc/Uo-tqncqbTI/AAAAAAAAGeo/BOO9yXP2AVQ/s1600/EndangeredNonN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0A5xPgYmDc/Uo-tqncqbTI/AAAAAAAAGeo/BOO9yXP2AVQ/s320/EndangeredNonN.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Centaurea cyanus</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>bachelor's button, cornflower<br />
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<b>Location: </b>picture 1 from <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centaurea_cyanus_001.jpg" target="_blank">HERE</a>, picture 2 from <a href="http://www.missouriplants.com/Bluealt/Centaurea_cyanus_page.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, picture 3 from <a href="http://gstuff.co.nz/shop/garden/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8" target="_blank">HERE</a> and picture 4 from <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/19551620" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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Today is a rather special day in history, whether you're American or not, and this special day deserves its own special blog post. In case you aren't aware of the significance of today, it is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in Texas. He was one of the most well-liked Presidents in US history, and will always be remembered as one of the great young minds that died far too young. With that said, let's see how well I can weave this into a blog about plants.<br />
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The cornflower, also called the bachelor's button or the common cornflower, is native to Europe where it historically grew like a weed. It prefers highly disturbed areas like prairies (historically, the sustaining life source of a prairie was fire which wipes out much of the herbaceous growth, allowing new species to colonize the area), which is why it can sometimes be seen growing alongside the Flander's poppy, as seen in the fourth image above (I thought that was rather fitting, since both flowers are now considered the flowers of remembrance depending on which continent and/or country you're from). Unfortunately for the cornflower, it also thrives as an agricultural weed since agricultural fields are, by default, highly disturbed areas. They are plowed every year which encourages weedy plants (or plants that can grow very quickly) to move in and colonize the area. Because of the intense amount of herbicides that are applied to agricultural fields, many of the once-ideal habitats for cornflowers are now being lost. This has led to the placement of the cornflower onto many endangered species lists across much of its native range (the population in the UK has gone from 264 sites to just 3 sites in 50 years; also a rather fitting time of measurement). Fortunately for the cornflower, it's not about to go extinct any time soon. It has been introduced as an ornamental species in North America, and parts of Africa and Asia where it is considered a naturalized species (locally invasive in some areas). In Australia it is a pest species. In fact, because of the planting of this species ornamentally it was recently featured near the top of the list of the top 100 species that have the potential to be brought back from the brink of extinction. With proper rehabilitation efforts and the protection of prairie habitats across Europe, this species could once again thrive.<br />
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There are also some locations where cornflowers are planted for agricultural purposes aside from seed generation for the ornamental flower trade. Cornflower "petals" (I'll get into this in a minute) are dried and often used as an additive in loose leaf teas to impart flavour and colour into some blends. The flavour is very subtle; so subtle I doubt you would even be able to pick up the taste. More often than not, cornflowers are added to loose teas just to make them look pretty in their package. And who isn't about to buy tea because it looks pretty?! I'll admit, I've been guilty of that on more than one occasion. Sometimes with successful results, but often with "BLAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!" results. That's also how I buy my wine. You'd think I would learn from these experiences...<br />
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The petals seen in the cornflower aren't really petals at all. The "flower" of a cornflower is a compound flower, or a flower head. Each one of the "petals" is called a ray floret, and each one of the dark purple wispy bits on the inside of the flower head is called a disc flower. This is the typical flower head (or inflorescence) structure of flowers in the aster or sunflower family.<br />
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Aside from being the flower of remembrance in the United Kingdom and much of the rest of Europe, cornflowers hold special meaning to JFK. Not only was blue his favourite colour, but on those days when he wore flowers on his lapel (which was quite often) they were always cornflowers. In fact, on the day his son, John F. Kennedy Jr., was married he had cornflowers pinned to his lapel and cornflowers were featured in the bridal bouquet and in every centrepiece as a symbol of remembrance for his father.<br />
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I often wonder what the world would be like today if people like JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. were still alive. Would gay marriage be an issue? Would it be a bigger issue than it is today? What about poverty and homelessness? Drug use? I guess it doesn't do much to hypothesize about how the world would be different, but instead try to make it different. Push the envelope to do better, to be better.<br />
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May you Rest In Peace, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963<br />
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<a href="http://www.mediaite.com/online/the-kennedy-assassination-a-guide-to-must-reads-about-november-22-1963/" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">President John F. Kennedy</span></i></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSSlpOJMvyo/Uo-4YVds0HI/AAAAAAAAGfA/T8Z7tk56Sd0/s1600/2013_Nov22f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSSlpOJMvyo/Uo-4YVds0HI/AAAAAAAAGfA/T8Z7tk56Sd0/s320/2013_Nov22f.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">JFK Jr. giving his father a <a href="http://newsroom-l.net/newsroom/2007/08/16/the-most-famous-photographer-you-never-heard-of-dies-at-85/john-f-kennedy-jr-salutes-his-fathers-casket/" target="_blank">final salute</a></span></i></div>
Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-45402446257788887912013-11-21T15:02:00.000-05:002013-11-28T09:55:19.418-05:00BLOG RERUN: Mom's Secret Recipe<b>UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: </b>Guess what?! Today is American Thanksgiving! Or, as we in Canada like to call it, Thursday. Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers. Enjoy the day off, and I'm VERY excited for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. For me, it's one of the highlights of November. I'll be really disappointed this year if the gigantic balloons don't make an appearance because of the high winds (but understandable; safety over balloons!). But more importantly...rest up! We've got some shopping to do tomorrow.<br />
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<b>UPDATE:</b> It has come to my attention that in my desire to be awesome and pseudo-celebrate American Thanksgiving, I have managed to jump the gun and do so a week early. SO! Stop reading this blog. Stop it! GO AWAY! Just kidding. Please don't go away. But skip this entry! And come back in a week.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"><i>(a version of this blog was originally posted on November 22, 2012)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Today I decided to do something completely different on my blog, because...well, because I can!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">I was having a hard time coming up with another plant that screamed "Thanksgiving," since today is American Thanksgiving. I've already done two different species of pumpkins, and the only other suitable plant to blog about would be sweet potatoes...and those are a kettle of fish I was planning on getting into next year (still hasn't been done, despite my best intentions. One day!). So what other plant could I possibly blog about? There's no other typical vegetable of Thanksgiving that is universal to all celebrations, no matter where in the country you are. But then a colleague in the Biology Department, gave me a fabulous idea: why not blog about a recipe instead? Brilliant! So that's exactly what I'm going to do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">I'm going to feature my absolute favourite part of Thanksgiving, and Christmas (and sometimes even Easter) dinner: stuffing! I'm about to give away my mom's secret recipe (sorry mom!), so get your pens ready. Ready? Here it is:</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">My Mom's Famous Stuffing Recipe:</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- bread (enough to stuff a turkey of your choice)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- water (enough to dampen the bread, but not make it soggy)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- onion (you like onion? Add a lot! Don't like onion? Add a little!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- ground sage (see comments for onion, above)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- ground poultry seasoning (see comments for onion, above)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">- love (don't have love on hand? Steal some from someone else!)</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Steps: </b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">1. Tear up the bread by hand. Do it the way of the pilgrims. Food processors are the easy way out. Leave it chunky, don't make bread crumbs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">2. Chop up the onion. Dice it relatively finely, but not so fine it turns to mush when it starts cooking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">3. Put bread and onion in a giant bowl. Dump in your herbs.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">4. Add in a little bit of water, and here's where your love comes in handy. Make sure your hands are clean, and mix that by hand. Mix, mix, mix. Still feels dry? Add a bit more water. Mix, mix mix. Still feels dry? Keep adding water and mixing until it's the desired consistency. Not soggy, but the bread sticks together with the mixture when you squish it into a ball. Feel free to make shapes here. I suggest snowmen. Use baby carrots as the nose. Take pictures!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">5. Once you've got your desired consistency of stuffing, stuff it into your bird and enjoy the smell while it cooks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Now you must be sworn to secrecy never to tell anyone how to do it! The bright side of giving away my mom's "secret" recipe is that NO ONE has been able to reproduce how it tastes. Trust me. That love? That's the secret ingredient. Each person's love tastes just a little bit different. And perhaps hand lotion...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">So how on earth can I turn this into a blog? Well, there are three obvious species here that can be featured in this blog, each of which I'll do in a mini-blog: wheat, onion, and sage. Here we go!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_8OdAAC0e8/UK5rVkD5ANI/AAAAAAAAC8I/DOkc-nrR5C8/s1600/Nov22a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #f26508; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I_8OdAAC0e8/UK5rVkD5ANI/AAAAAAAAC8I/DOkc-nrR5C8/s400/Nov22a.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f49b61; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A field of genetically modified wheat to resist fungal infections (</span></i><a href="http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/09022061-saving-wheat-crops-worldwide.html" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Science Centric</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Wheat fruits, called a caryopsis (</i></span><a href="http://www.flashcardmachine.com/102practical-botany.html" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Flashcard Machine</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>)</i></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Species name:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">Triticum aestivum</i><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Common name:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> bread wheat</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Location: </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">See above for internet sources; a common, non-native species</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Wheat is native to the Middle East, in a region known as the Fertile Crescent and was first thought to be domesticated almost 11,000 years ago. This is a region of the Middle East from which we get many of our most important crops in North America. There are actually more than 20 species of wheat, each of which are used for different purposes. The most common way that species of wheat have been "created" over the last few millenia is through spontaneous tetraploidy. This means that the plants have undergone some sort of cell division problem that has caused all of the DNA of the plant to go into one pollen grain and none in the other, instead of half of the DNA going into each pollen grain. One of these pollen grains comes into contact with an egg that has done this same thing, and now an embryo exists with the complete genome of its mother plant and father plant (and sometimes this is actually the same individual; this is called "selfing"). If this happened in humans or almost any other animal, the embryo would not be viable. In plants, however, this is incredibly common and probably the most common method of creating new species of plants. This is a pretty remarkable adaptation, too; think about how much genetic variation could be available to an organism containing four copies of each gene instead of only two! The expression rare recessive diseases would essentially be eliminated from the population. Some common wheat species that we use are the diploid </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">T. aestivum</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> which is mainly used for flour that goes into breads and cakes; </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">T. durum</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> (tetraploid), used for making pasta and couscous, is low in gluten; </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">T. dicoccum </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">(diploid), also known as emmer, is used for breadmaking in Egypt and some parts of Europe; and </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">T. spelta</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> (hexaploid), an ancient form of wheat (popular during the Middle Ages) still used now as a low-gluten equivalent to bread wheat.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Onions with their green leaves still attached (</span></i><a href="http://web.extension.illinois.edu/vegguide/grow_onion.cfm" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Illinois Vegetable Garden Guide</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHOkq0ActAA/UK5wjsgjHWI/AAAAAAAAC90/GxdkBtFC4H0/s1600/Nov22d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #f26508; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHOkq0ActAA/UK5wjsgjHWI/AAAAAAAAC90/GxdkBtFC4H0/s400/Nov22d.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f49b61; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 88, 1); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.199219) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Some different varieties of onions (</span></i><a href="http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.ca/2009/04/how-to-grow-onions-from-seed.html" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Garden of Eaden</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Species name: </b><i style="line-height: 1.4;">Allium cepa</i><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Common name:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> onion</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Location:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> See above for internet sources; a common, non-native species</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Onions are probably native to Central Asia, but there is much uncertainty about where they originated. Onions as a species are only known from cultivation, which is incredibly unusual as far as crop plants go. It is possible that it has gone through so many rounds of human selection that it is now genetically distinct from its ancestral species (the most likely explanation), or the ancestral species has now gone extinct (the unlikely explanation). There is one species, </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">A. asarense</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">from Iran, that is genetically very closely related to the common onion. All species of the genus </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">Allium</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> produce sulphur compounds, which give them their pungent smell. When these sulphur compounds come into contact with water they produce sulphuric acid, one of the most potent acids known. This is the chemical basis for the "IT BURNS MY EYES!!!!" reaction most people get when cutting onions. The easiest way to get rid of this effect is by refrigerating your onions before use, or putting them briefly in the freezer before chopping (just enough to make them cold, not frozen). This prevents the cut onion from being able to "bleed" as much as a non-refrigerated onion, contributing to less eye-burn. Also, make sure you wash your hands with soap before rubbing your eyes. Some people say plugging your nose also helps; I think it's more the silliness factor than anything else. The sulphur compounds are still becoming airborne and the mucous membranes of your eyes still contain a lot of water, so the chemical reaction cannot be modified by plugging your nose. I would contribute that to the placebo effect more than anything else. These sulphur compounds in onions (and garlic) have been exploited medicinally by humans for centuries. Yes, onions do have medicinal properties! They are very potent against bacteria and fungi, and so are popular for treating colds, the flu, and, of all things, Athlete's Foot. If you suffer from this (quite disgusting) fungal infection on your toenails, put some freshly chopped warm onions in a pot of warm water. Submerge your feet for a while, rinse, and pat dry. Fungi are incredibly intolerant to sulphur, so this should take care of them in a jiffy. In fact, many creams for Athlete's Foot exploit the natural sulphur-containing chemicals of onions!</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The sage plant (</span></i><a href="http://www.groaction.com/discover/1783/sage-forgotten-healer/" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">GroAction.com</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Sage flowers (</span></i><a href="http://soulisticwellness.wordpress.com/category/sage/" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Soulistic Wellness</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Species name:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><i style="line-height: 1.4;">Salvia officinalis</i><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Common name:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> garden sage</span><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.4;">Location:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> See above for internet sources; a common, non-native species</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Sage is one of the most popular seasonings in the world, let alone in North America. The sage plant is native to the Mediterranean Region of Europe and Africa, where it still grows commonly in the wild. In North America it has the potential to become an invasive species in warmer climates, so just be careful if you plant it outside. It doesn't seem to tolerate Canadian winters well, or if it does it rarely spreads beyond where it was originally planted. The flower is incredibly characteristic of the mint family; it is purple, has a darker eyespot than the rest of the flower, the male and female parts of the flower overhang the bottom petal of the flower, and features a large bottom petal that can act as a "landing pad" for bees for pollination. This flower is very specialized for pollination by insects that can see ultraviolet light, and the reproductive parts have been modified to ensure that pollen gets onto that "secret spot" on the back of the bee's neck where it cannot access the pollen to groom it off of itself mid-flight. Bees actually love being covered in pollen by flowers not because they enjoy pollinating flowers, but because they pack this onto specialized areas on their legs to take back to the hive to feed the young larvae. Without the ability to put pollen onto the back of a bee's neck, the flower will be incredibly inefficient at cross-pollination, and will essentially be giving away its sperm to be used as bee food. Some biologists argue that bees are the most inefficient pollinators in the world! Sage also has some demonstrated health benefits and medicinal uses, although it is reported as being able to treat much more than it has actually been shown to do. One of the most promising uses of sage leaf extract (containing a combination of a huge number of essential oils; the exact combination of different chemicals has never successfully been created in a lab) is as a treatment for hyperlipidemia, or an increased level of lipids in the blood. This isn't just equivalent to obesity; in fact, obese people are incredibly efficient at filtering fats out of their blood and storing them in fat tissues (hence the obesity). This is more a result of a vast variety of genetic diseases that cause, sometimes for unknown reasons, lipids to build up in the blood. Other times it can be acquired due to various other medical conditions, the two most common being diabetes and renal failure. Chronic high levels of lipids in the blood can be incredibly dangerous to the circulatory system because it changes the viscosity of the blood, causing the heart to work harder. This can lead to different kinds of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Gobble Gobble (</span></i><a href="http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Wildlife_profiles/profile_wild_turkey.htm" style="color: #f26508; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">not a plant</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">)</span></i></div>
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Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265336376897852083.post-59018670020130996432013-11-19T18:35:00.002-05:002013-11-19T18:35:22.819-05:00The Buckeye Battle Cry revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Species name: </b><i>Aesculus glabra</i><br />
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<b>Common name: </b>Ohio buckeye<br />
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<b>Location: </b>Western University campus<br />
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I know I've written a blog about the Ohio buckeye before (you can read my previous blog post <a href="http://botanicalmusings.blogspot.ca/2012/09/the-buckeye-battle-cry.html">HERE</a>), but I wanted to blog about it again but with better pictures. And you know what? I'm allowed, because it's my blog :) So there!<br />
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The Ohio buckeye is a native species (well, marginally native. Definitely native to the northeastern United States; debatable whether or not it's native to southwestern Ontario) that does very well in full sun to partial shade. It's a medium-to-small tree in this part of Ontario because it's growing in a suboptimal part of its range, but further south into Ohio and Kentucky it can be a medium sized tree (up to 25 meters tall). The roots of these trees can tolerate intense rain and can tolerate temporary flooding, but do best in well-drained soil. There are some clear disadvantages to growing the Ohio buckeye as an ornamental species, and the first should be obvious: the fruit produced. If you're trying to increase the squirrel population, growing buckeyes in your yard is one of the best things you could possibly do. You don't want to come between a hungry squirrel and a buckeye tree! If, however, you have a lawnmower that you appreciate using and not replacing the blade every time you cut the lawn, you might want to reconsider this species. The fruits produced are enormous (in ideal conditions, some are almost the size of baseballs!), and when they split open they release one to three seeds. The seeds are large, hard, and really hurt when they hit you in the head. They do make fantastic ornaments, and are really stunning in flower arrangements. You can also collect the seeds and dry them to make beads, as is popular to do at Ohio State University. I can imagine they would be good for building neck muscles because they're so heavy, although I'm not sure why you would want to build your neck muscles.<br />
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Something that is often believed about the buckeye is that it produces inhibitory chemicals from the roots to prevent the growth of other species (called allelopathy) like in Norway maples and, to some extent, black walnuts. Fortunately, this isn't the case. To date there's no evidence that buckeyes produce allelopathic chemicals from their roots. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that anything will grow under them! The canopy cover of buckeyes is just so dense that even shade-tolerant grass has a really hard time growing under buckeye trees. The best thing to plant under them would be highly shade tolerant ground cover, but even that might not do it in the long run. But the trade-off? Look at the trees! They're spectacular in their own right. They also turn bright orange early in the fall (late summer, really), long before other species start to change colour. And who doesn't love a bright orange tree in a sea of green?!<br />
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So how did the buckeye get to be so closely associated with Ohio? Well, there's the obvious reason that Ohio is the middle of the range for the buckeye, but that in its own right rarely causes a plant to be so ingrained in a state's culture. The story goes that Colonel Ebenezer Sproat arrived in what is now the United States in 1788 to command the Northwest Territory. Once he landed, the Indigenous peoples called Colonel Sproat "Hetuck" because they were so greatly impressed by him; he showed the native people immense respect and communicated with them instead of at them (as so many others did, and, to some extent, continue to do). To Indigenous North Americans, hetuck means the "eye of the buck" which shows power, respect and knowledge. I guess being called the eye of the buck is a great honour! He eventually became known as the "Big Buckeye" and all of the citizens under his control were his buckeyes. Eventually it became a term associated with all of those from and living in Ohio. The common name of the buckeye also stems from the fact that the seeds (or the "nuts") of the tree also resemble the eyes of deer. I bet you'll never look at a buckeye seed the same way again!<br />
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Should you decide to try to grow your own buckeye, make sure you find some nice plump seeds before they fall out of the fruit. They are very, very sensitive to drying and won't germinate if the seeds dry out too much. The best way to get around this is to find a fruit that has split open but has not yet dropped the seeds and take them home and put right in the ground. They won't germinate until the next spring, but there's usually a pretty good success rate. Plant a few, then pull all but a couple out of the ground in the summer. At the end of the next summer, choose your favourite and pull all of them but that one out (or leave a bunch! Nothing wrong with wanting a few buckeyes). Just keep in mind that you can't grow these indoors before transplanting (at least, not easily); they do require a period of exposure to extreme cold during the winter in order to germinate properly in the spring. Oh, and invest in a good rake ;)Jen Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02627948857260467381noreply@blogger.com0