What’s that orange vine growing on top of everything? That is common dodder (Cuscuta gronovii), a leafless, parasitic vine that is native to this area. This vine has white flowers in the late summer. I will try to get a picture of them when they bloom. Have you found any common dodder?
Blogs
Identifying Partridge Peas
It’s easy to see the common partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) flowers this time of year. If you look carefully, you can find its smaller relative, the sensitive partridge pea (Chamaecrista nictitans). Common partridge pea flowers are about one inch wide. The flower petals are about the same size. The sensitive partridge pea flowers are less… Continue reading Identifying Partridge Peas
Field Report- July 28, 2025
What’s new on the trails at the end of July? When the weather is so hot, I usually walk in the early morning. With other obligations, I have not been able to canvas the trails as much as I normally do. The weather should break later this week, and hopefully I’ll be able to get… Continue reading Field Report- July 28, 2025
What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? August 2025
August is a golden month for flowers! I’m looking forward to fields of goldenrod and midwestern-tickseed sunflowers. We should start to see some asters, and more of the bonesets will bloom in August. Ragweed will also make an appearance, so be mindful if you are allergic. Mark your calendars for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census… Continue reading What Flowers Will Bloom Next Month? August 2025
Sunflowers at Dix Park
If you get a chance in the next week, take a walk around the sunflower field at Dix Park in Raleigh. There is plenty of parking, bathrooms are available, and there is a wheelchair accessible path through the field. The path around the field is a 0.4 mile loop. There is a smaller garden full… Continue reading Sunflowers at Dix Park
A Change in the Routine Brings a Surprise
I saw a new flower this week. This is broadleaf pink purslane (Portulaca amilis). The flower petals only open on sunny days. I’ve walked by this spot probably twenty times recently, but it’s always been just as the sun is rising. I changed the routine by going a little later in the day, and was… Continue reading A Change in the Routine Brings a Surprise
A Little Heartache on the Shiloh Greenway
Maybe I’m selfish, but I just hate to see the trails like this. I’m thinking of all the animals that will need to find a new home. I’m thinking of the plants that are being crushed under the logs and trucks. I’m wondering which plants will grow, and which plants will not come back now… Continue reading A Little Heartache on the Shiloh Greenway
What’s That? July 10, 2025
Oh my goodness! What a sight first thing in the morning! I saw something out of the corner of my eye as I walked by this tree. I thought it might be a cicada, until I got closer. What is that? It is a giant stag beetle (Lucanus elaphus). The males have these large mandibles,… Continue reading What’s That? July 10, 2025
Field Report- July 7, 2025
What’s blooming on the trails in early July? In the wet areas, you can find buttonbush, water-hemlock, swamp rose-mallow, smooth rose-mallow, cattails, arrowheads, creeping water primrose and climbing hempvine. In the open fields, you can see pineywoods goldenrod, alternate-leaved seedbox, rough sunflower, swamp sunflower, winged sumac, poor-joe, roundleaf eupatorium, slender mountain-mint, rattlesnake master, bitterweed, common… Continue reading Field Report- July 7, 2025
Slime Mold
Have you ever seen slime mold? This one is Fuligo septica. Its common names include dog vomit slime mold and scrambled egg slime mold. At first the mold is bright yellow. As it matures, it turns brown or black. I found this one at the edge of the woods. I’ve seen it several times growing… Continue reading Slime Mold