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PlantShare

Sightings Locator

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How to Use

Enter a plant name and we'll show where it's been seen recently.

You will see all recent sightings that others have marked for public view or for a PlantShare group that you belong to. Rare and endangered plants will not be displayed.

Ask the Botanist

Ace Acer

Our ace botanists are here to help you identify wild New England plants and to answer questions about their ecology and conservation. When posting a question, please provide the location, habitat (e.g. river, mountain, woodland), and photographs of the plant.

Everyone can read the answers, but only logged-in users can ask questions. Log in to ask a question.

Recently answered questions

  • Question
    Sedum growing by patio in a planting of Catmint (it was not planted, just arrived by itself), might it be Sedum album?: alternate leaves, 5 part white flowers (did see a few 6 pt), 10 stamens (dark anthers), I think 5 ovaries. Low growth covers the soil and flower clusters are growing on erect stalks. An attractive interesting plant: I've let it grow and flower. With hand lens I think I see fine hairs on stalk of inflorescence. I haven't used microscope. Carol Knox -Falmouth, MA
    Answer
    Dear Carol, good morning. Yes, your images look like Sedum album (Crassulaceae). The characters you mention and the images are all consistent with that species. Best wishes. (Wednesday, 2 July 2025)
  • Question
    I believe this to be straw foxglove! It is growing on the edge of a shaded, moist wooded area alongside the road in Dutchess County in NY. The map on this site doesn’t show it in NY yet, so I’m wondering if it is uncommon here? I’ve never seen this before!
    Answer
    Dear Marie, good afternoon. Thank you for your question. While the plant you have photographed may be Digitalis lutea (straw foxglove), there is another species in the region that can produce yellow flowers--Digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove). So, we need a measurement of how long the flower is to distinguish these two species. Digitalis grandiflora also has hairs on the stem that are mostly absent in Digitalis lutea. If you want to continue the conversation, feel free to email me at ahaines@nativeplnattrust.org. (Monday, 23 June 2025)
  • Question
    Hi Ace Botanists! Earlier this year you helped me identify that my Garden In the Woods-purchased Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower) was nowhere to be seen under a patch of invasive Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping bellflower). I pitchforked out the bellflower tubers and have been plucking single and alternate leaves as I see them. You have helped me save this patch! Are these little ones likely rhizomatous remnants from the same individual I planted last year, or did it self-seed?
    Answer
    Dear waggledance, good morning. It would be hard to answer your question without being there to observe what is occurring in the soil. Given the large number that have seeded, it certainly seems plausible that these self-seeded, especially because they occupy a patch (not just a few lines along a rhizome). I am glad to read the patch was saved! Best wishes. (Friday, 13 June 2025)

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