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Spanish needles beggar-ticks
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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.
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Recently answered questions
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- Question
- Native or not? Bristol county, MA. Edge of woods, mostly full sun. Round bright red stems, upright and arching. Some sort of rubus? Can’t recall seeing berries/flowers during summer, but remember a “normal” type blackberry leaf. Area might’ve been cut last year, so these might be only 1 year of growth….about 2’-3’ long. Thorns are fairly straight. Thank you.
- Answer
- Dear elmorain, hello to you. It does appear you have photographed a species of Rubus in the subgenus Rubus (blackberries). Most of these species are native to New England and most are part of the early successional flora that grows in clearings, disturbed spaces, regenerating fields, forest edges, etc. Best wishes. (Monday, 30 January 2023)
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- Question
- Spleenwort or other fern? Found among the rocks by the side of a stream, Woburn, MA Thanks!
- Answer
- Dear TomW, good morning. You have photographed a species of Cardamine (bitter-cress), members of the mustard family. From just the basal rosette I would not be able to tell you which species, but it looks most like plants of Cardamine impatiens (narrow-leaved bitter-cress) that I have seen (but it could be a related taxon). Best wishes. (Monday, 30 January 2023)
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- Question
- Hello - This little plant (largest leaf 3.5 cm long) was found alongside a trail in the Bowman Conservation Area in Westboro, MA in Jan. 2023. Habitat is a mostly oak and white pine forest. Can you ID it for me? Thanks very much!
- Answer
- Dear EdC, there are no images associated with your question. Without them, I won't be able to help. If you are having trouble uploading images, feel free to attach them to an email, send them to ahaines@nativeplanttrust.org, and I will try to assist you. (Monday, 23 January 2023)
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