These are the top species that are catching the eyes of observers this past week.
Spring is in full swing with many species of plants flowering. In addition to Prairie Trillium, Blue Phlox and Canadian Wild Ginger, observers are reporting flowers on:
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum)
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Great Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum appendiculatum)
Cream Violet (Viola striata)
Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium reptans)
American Cancer-Root (Conopholis americana)
Bristly Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus)
Invasive plants wreak havoc on natural communities by displacing native plants. When you see these species, encourage the landowners to remove these bad guys before they have a chance to set seed.
Most trees and shrubs have leafed out by now, and some are flowering. Here is a small set of woody plants that caught the eye of our observers. Did you see them, too?
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra)
Common Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)
Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
Though often dismissed as mere weeds, these plants, found in yards and gardens, from roadsides to fields, are as much a part of our ecosystems as any other plant, and just as interesting and as beautiful, too. Some of these are native, but many are not.
Butterweed (Packera glabella)
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Bitter Wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris)
Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
Philadephia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)
Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea)
Catchweed Bedstraw (Galium aparine)
Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis)
Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata)
Watch for us. We're coming soon.
Here's a sample of what to watch for next, based on recent photographic observations, historical records and various other sources.
Native Plants: Depending on your location, you'll be seeing these open flowers soon.
Smooth Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
Hairy Solomon's-Seal (Polygonatum pubescens)
Fire Pink (Silene virginica)
Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Philapdelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)
Invasive Plants: Depending on your location, you'll be seeing these open flowers soon.
Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
European Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)