Ask the Botanist
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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All Questions and Answers
Recently Answered Questions
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- Hi Ace Botanists! =) Last summer in my yard I removed a bunch of invasive Campanula rapunculoides (bellflower) and replaced it with some Garden in the Woods Conoclinium coelestinum (mistflower). The mistflower was healthy, grew quickly, flowered and filled its patch. But this year when I look at where it was, all I see is bellflower, I think. I've spent some time with the GoBotany key and wikipedia, as well as iNaturalist. I guess I will wait for the flowers before pulling it up?
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- Dear waggledance, good morning. Conoclinum coelestinum has opposite leaves, but these are alternate (based on your nice images), which suggests Campanula rapunculoides. The leaf outline is a better match for the latter species. Because these bellflower has underground stems (i.e., rhizomes), it can be difficult to remove. It is capable of resprouting from the rhizomes. Good luck with your yard. (Friday, 2 May 2025)
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- what plants are low maintenance for planters with full sun
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- Dear greenhouse, this resource from Native Plant Trust can help you find species that fit your criteria: https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/Plant-Search. It is called Plant Finder. Good luck with your efforts. (Tuesday, 29 April 2025)
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- I'd like to plant a native eastern white oak in northern NJ. Trouble finding one and often can't distinguish from various introduced white oaks and crosses. May have had good set 2 years ago and last fall, but the squirrels dug them out / nipped them. Prior year, collection came up English oak. Is there a good source, or reference to good sources? White oak acorns would need to be shipped quickly when in season, since they sprout so soon after falling.
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- Dear MentalNomad, distinguishing oaks in the mid-Atlantic states can be difficult due to the number of species that are present. It is clear from your question that you need to get out of the urban/suburban areas to avoid issues with Quercus robur (English oak). It should be possible for you to find large, native stands of Quercus alba (eastern white oak) for planting. But, you will need to make your collections in the fall (as you are aware) because members of the white oak section do sprout in Autumn not long after they fall from the tree. You will need to plant them at that time. This is one reason that black oak section is easier because the length of time for collection of that group of species is all fall and winter. I hope you are successful in locating a source. The online Go Botany dichotomous key will provide you with distinctions for these species and images to help you sort them out. I suggest that you examine this Native Plant Trust resource (https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/). (Tuesday, 29 April 2025)
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- Can Hippeastrum change/turn into Crinium Americanus one year and then turn back to the Eastern the next year
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- Good morning. No, the species can change year to year. But, it is possible that both species are present and don't emerge simultaneously. Sometimes a two different species are present in the ground and one remains dormant and doesn't appear each year. Best wishes. (Friday, 25 April 2025)
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- Why is Martynia annua excluded from the Proboscidea genus?
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- The two genera you mention are different morphologically, as they differ in calyx and pollen morphology (among other features). But, your question should be switched around, why is Proboscidea excluded from Martynia. Martynia was the first named genus in the Martyniaceae, and it has priority before of its earlier publication date. So, barring any nomenclatural issues (e.g., conservation of a name, rejection of a name), if the two genera were found to be a single taxonomic unit, the name Martynia would be used (not Proboscidea). I hope this is useful to your study. (Friday, 25 April 2025)
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- Hello! I'm a passionate nature enthusiast from southwestern Connecticut. I'm trying to set up a native pollinator garden in my backyard this year, and while researching which plants to include, I started to wonder if I could help threatened species by growing them on my property, and possibly find local land restoration initiatives to participate in. I'm currently in college and looking for a career path as well, as someone with documented disabilities. Where can I find the information I seek?
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- Dear bumble_boline, good morning. I appreciate your consideration of pollinators and I think it is admirable you would like to create a garden. The planting of species of conservation concern has considerations that need to be taken into account. For example, sourcing these plants to promote native genotypes is imperative. And, it is possible for planted rare species to migrate off site and create new populations that can create philosophical issues surrounding conservation efforts. None of this is to curb your enthusiasm, but to try and elucidate issues that arise with the cultivation of rare species. Feel free to continue the conversation--my email address is ahaines@nativeplanttrust.org. Best wishes. (Thursday, 10 April 2025)
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- two unusual species that are ‘wild’ and in association that perhaps need mentioning. Sweet Bay Magnolia (probably). 2-3 plants. Evergreen-ish. Fragrant when bruised. Appropriate leaf and stem morphology?. Bald Cypress. 1 plant Knees. Needles.Deciduous. 'Wild?’:on Concord (MA) conservation land on the S. side of a protected swamp. The land seemsto be managed for less common NE species—It was William Brewster’s bird-watching camp- so early 20th century protection- or introduction?
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- Dear durantenge, good afternoon. Both of these species are planted in that area (certainly for the bald cypress). While sweet-bay is native to MA, it is not found in that particular area (to my knowledge) outside of intentional plantings. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes. (Thursday, 3 April 2025)
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- Hi so I’ve been walking around my backyard using the plantnet app trying to identify some plants, and this one came up as wall lettuce. I just wanted to confirm this because I looked it up and saw that it’s not commonly spotted, so that would be cool!
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- Dear okmarchy, good morning. Wall-lettuce (Cicerbita muralis) has a different leaf blade outline than this. I think this is a case of the plant app getting tricked. That written, I don't have enough to go on to tell you who this plant is. If it produces any flowers/fruits, please send me another image so I can assist you. Best wishes. (Thursday, 3 April 2025)
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- Our school campus in Indo-nepal boarder has these variety of tiny flowers. Please mention their scientific and common names. The plants grow near maize fields..
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- Dear sekhar_sir, good afternoon. Unfortunately, I am not an expert in the flora of Indo-Nepal. I can only recognize higher ranks (and not species). The first image, the plant with white ray flowers, looks like a species of Galinsoga (quickweed), a member of the composite family. The second image, the species with yellow ray flowers, is also a member of the composite family and is grouped in the tribe Lactuceae (with genera such as Hieracium, Taraxacum, and the like). The last one, with white or pink flowers with yellow centers looks like a woody member of the vervain family, but I cannot tell you for certain and what genus it belongs to. I apologize, but this is the best I can do from half way around the world. Best wishes. (Thursday, 27 March 2025)
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- My parents recently grew this plant they received, does anyone know what it is called? I ate some of the fruit and liked it but have no idea what it's called. I was also told that this plant is in abundance in Southern China near though I have yet to verify that.
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- Dear Albedrt757, good morning. I don't know the name of this plant that you have posted images of. However, I do know that it is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade family), and that it is likely a member of the genus Solanum (nightshade), the same genus that eggplant, tomato, and some other well-known nightshades belong to. I hope you are able to learn the full identity of this mystery plant. (Tuesday, 18 March 2025)
