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Native Plant Trust: Go Botany Discover thousands of New England plants

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
    Dear Botanist, I found this plant growing in a patch of wrinkle-leaf goldenrod that I recently transplanted. It appears to be a perennial, and produces a burr. I believe I've seen the same plant growing in Mattera Cabin in Reading, MA. The attached pictures are from different times throughout the growing season. Could you please identify?
    Answer
    Dear Stephen, good morning. The plant you have photographed is a species of Geum (avens), which belong to the rose family. Based on the leaves, petal color, and clusters of achenes, you likely have captured Geum laciniatum (floodplain avens), a native species that frequently (but not exclusively) occurs in floodplain forests. (Friday, 25 October 2024)
  • Question
    Dear Mr. Botanist, I found this low growing plant under a high-voltage right-of-way in Reading, MA. The area is very sunny and rocky, and it appears to be regularly cleared of vegetation. Could you identify?
    Answer
    Dear Stephan, the small ground cover with evergreen leaves and red fruits (berry-like capsules) is Gaultheria procumbens (eastern spicy-wintergreen). It is a fairly common subshrub (in the right habitats) and a native member of the heath family. Best wishes. (Wednesday, 23 October 2024)
  • Question
    Please help identify this aquatic plant found in East Lyme, CT on August 28, 2024. It was observed in a shallow cove of a lake thanks
    Answer
    Dear James, good morning. You have identified a species of Myriophyllum (water-milfoil). I can't tell you which species with confidence because I would need to see details of fruits and leaf arrangement. The morphology looks like emersed forms of Myriophyllum humile, but again I can't be certain. Best wishes. (Monday, 21 October 2024)

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