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Questions and Answers
2021
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- I am stumped on this plant I observed throughout the summer on a property in Orland Maine. Typically it was in moist, forested habitats. I only saw one instance where it had flowered and got only a blurry picture in September. The stem leaves are more divided than the basal leaves pictured and the seed heads looked a lot like a ranunculus or geum. Can you help with this little information?
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- Hello again, I know grasses are hard but I am hoping that I have enough information here for you to be able to tell me something about this grass. It is located on an island in Salem Sound, MA Thank you very Much! SueLB
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- Hello Dear Botonist, Firstly, how nice for you... Ageless! I am wondering if it is possible to tell what species this grass is. It is located on an island in Salem Sound, MA Thank you very much! SueLB
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- I just received an answer to my question about a plant that materialized in my back yard in Wayland MA. Two people have identified it as a grass. The latest suggestion is sorghum bicolor which I think is very likely, but sorghum rarely grows in our climate. Where did it come from and what is its future? Is there a form of sorghum that does grow in the northeast?
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- Plant apps have given me an id of royal fern (Osmunda regalis) but to me this looks very different. Seen in October at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon, MA, in a wetland area. Is it just fresh growth or something different?
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- I found the plant in the photos on the hill behind my house this fall in Wayland, MA. It appeared out of nowhere and is the only one of its kind. It looks like a small spindly cornstalk but the flowers at the top are different, whitish.
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- I planted a tree many years ago that came in the mail from the Arbor Day Foundation. Now I suspect it may be a Bradford pear. It has stinky white flowers in early May and small, round, brown fruits.
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- this is just leaf set but hopefully that will be enough to narrow down by family or genus! this is from a pretty arching shrub in the woodland behind my home, right along an old fenceline. i think it might've been planted, but the leaves are thick and tough with little spiny serrations and clusters of white flowers in spring.
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- identify? Was a potted plant, put in ground, was short, had some flowers in spring. Once the flowers died off, I trimmed it and there it say until November, and it grew 2' tall and produced big yellow flowers. Nov. 11th and the bees are still interested. one photo is the flower, the other the leaves. Problem using these identifier sites it that the flower might look like 1 plant, but the leaves are different. My wife thinks it might be a Mum left over.
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- Hello, My name is Greg Mouser from Bristol, TN area I have a ladyfriend on Facebook that posted a picture of this tuber with thorns that she has on her property. in the woods too says they are vines that grow profusley . She of course lives in Georgia. at first glance, I thought these were sweet potatoes but Barbara insists they are not. I must admit I am stumped I put out another question to a University Botanist up in West Virginia at WVU where I attended college back in the early 1970
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- I came home after months away to find an odd plant growing all by itself. I have no idea what its flowers look like, but the seed pods are white at the top of a tall 2-3' grass-like stalk. I will attach the best photo I could get. I am trying to establish wild flowers on a hillside and I want to know whether I should keep this and encourage it, or whether I should get rid of it. Thank you for your help.
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- Thank you for your answer. Is Ranunculus hispidus var. caricetorum the same as Ranunculus caricetorum?
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- Hello. This plant is in NY. Thank you!
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- Is this CAPRIFOLIACEAE Lonicera periclymenum?
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- Hello! I found I plant I assumed was Pseudognaphalium, but upon noticing that it didn’t have a strong syrup scent, I thought maybe it was an Anaphalis. At this time in the season I’m not too confident in my judgement of whether the bracts are ascending or dingy white. Thanks so much!
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- Hello! I grew husk cherry (Physalis pruinosa) this past season with seeds from Johnny's. Can you tell me if P. pruinosa is native to New England? I see on your site that P. grisea is native, and that P. pruinosa is a synonym. However, your site also mentions some confusion around P. pruinosa. I just want to be sure. Thank you!
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- What is this grass foundin new Haven, CT on the river shoreline
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- Here are some more pictures of the wild flower hopefully this helps and can I transplant it to another location ?
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- This tree has me stumped. It is growing on a steep slope near where a cabin used to be. I did not see any catkins, flowers, fruit, nuts, etc., but I only checked sporatically. Bark has deep fissures. The black buds where present in the early sping (second photo) and now again. Thanks in advance for any insights you can give!
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- This is a follow up to a question that I asked previously. I found this plant at East Rock Park in Hamden, CT and am having trouble identifying it. I think it might be a species of Deutzia based on the leaf margins (and the fruit somewhat) but I cannot be sure. I’ve included a few more pictures of the plant here, any help is greatly appreciated.
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- Is this a nettle bell flower ?
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- Found this at East Rock Park about a month ago, not sure what it is but I think it’s a Deutzia species. I know that this picture isn’t the best but any ideas about what species exactly it is?
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- Hello! I found a Penstemon growing on a gravelly slope in Ithaca, NY, and someone had taken a photo of it when the flower was still there, and it looked like Penstemon hirsutus, and also seemed like it was the right habitat for it. However, the stem really didn't have any evidence of hairs on it in its autumn form, except a few wisps near the base. I was wondering if it is known if the hairs on P. hirsutus fall off after the plant matures and goes to seed. Thanks very much
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- Catskill NY back yard
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- This fern is found along the cliffs of the Housatonic river in Bulls Bridge area. I have found some ferns hard to id and this is one of them.
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- Any idea what this shrub could be? I found it when hiking in southern CT on a rocky, cliff-side trail. The berries seem really striking but I have yet to find a match.
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- I believe heartleaf peppervine? Found in Woburn MA 01801
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- I saw this wildflower mid-October in a moist (not entirely swampy) area near the trail in some conservation land in Lexington, MA. GoBotany doesn't offer Stellaria aquatica as an option, but it seems to look most like that. Any thoughts?
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- Hi, Attached is an image of an interesting little plant that I saw on the trails in Sept. at Salt Bay Farm in Damariscotta, Maine. Each leaf whorl was about 2" across. There seem to be some seed heads on it that may help with the ID. The stems on the seed heads were about 1" long. It was growing alone in the open in a wooded area. Thanks for your ID help, it's hard with no flower to go on. Ann
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- Plant is ~8'HX6'W in seasonally damp area. The spikes on the limbs seem to be the remains of broken stems. Photos taken 10/12/2021.
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- I sent you some pictures of this plant a month or so ago, before it came into bloom. I hope these pictures provide enough clues. Symphyothrichum whatchmacallitum? Thanks, Jula
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- I've been trying to identify this aster species that has appeared in the moister portions of our sunny, open field in Lincoln County, ME. Stems are quite pubescent, sometimes more bristly and purple at base of plant. Light blue ray florets often number as few as 20. The larger of the alternate leaves have indistinctly toothed margins and they all clasp the stem. Involucral bracts feel soft. No plants taller than 14" (maybe due to mowing). My guess is Symphotrichum puniceum?
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- I have these growing in my backyard, never had before. They are opening up and dark brown seed's are falling out, almost resemble almonds. I live in the middle of a city. They are growing from the tree's and wild Flowers I have growing in my backyard. I live in Gloversville NY
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- Hi, I'm trying to do an illustration of this 19th century Floridian scene (first St. Augustine lighthouse) and I just can't figure out what kind of palms those are in the foreground on the left. Any ideas? Thank you! (I just noticed you're New England specialists ... but just in case!)
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- Hello I am in shamokin dam, PA. I live on an old floodplain of the susquehanna river. This plant is along a streambank, and the surrounding area may possibly be a wetland that is not delineated. Historical use may have altered the landscape (drained the wetland) and now it is in a more natural state. There are other OBL species nearby, and I wanted to know if this is a Northeastern Bulrush, or another species of sedge grass. Thanks.
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- Hi Arthur, I have a two dogwoods inMass in my yard, Cornus mas, whose fruits are edible and Cornus Florida, whose fruits are said by some studies to be poisonous, or non-edible, or unpalatable but non-poisonous. I bit one of the drupes and it is very bitter with what looks like a high lipid content. I have a book that lists that Indians would regularly deseed the drupes, mash them up and cook/mix with other fruits. So it appears that Indians ate them cooked but I'm also told they are poisonous.
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- Hello Dear Botonist, I am wondering if it is possible to tell what this plant is, or set me in some sort of direction to find out. It is growing on a river bank in the lake's region of N.H. Thank you so much! SueLB
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- Hi, I recently spotted this Monarda punctata growing along the path at the Coonamessett bog restoration project in Falmouth, MA. I don't see it listed for Barnstable county or see any other sightings on the Cape on iNaturalist. Do you agree that it's M. punctata? Thanks!
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- Hello. I am trying to identify a group of Euonymus trees in Appalachian woodland habitat. They are either E. atropurpureus or E. europaeus. Oldest specimens in group are at least 8-10ft tall. No wings present on any of them. Leaves are pubescent underneath (though I have read this can be common to both species). No sign that they have flowered probably due to shady location. Is there any feature that can be used to definitively determine which species I am looking at besides flowers/fruit?
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- Hello! I need help identifying this pant. It was spotted in Hartford County, Connecticut in a meadow. Please help me!! Thanks!
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- Catumet , ridge line near the Somerset creamery. Hypopitys lanuginosa . I understand that Botany folks of Connecticut determined this to be a separate spieces from hairy pinesap. Is it toxic ? If not , is it edible ? Does it have medicinal uses ? Thank you.
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- Found in Mashpee Ma. Along the entrance of a hiking trail. I would like to know a name for this please.
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- Thanks for telling me my sedge belongs to the Cyperaceae. That, I already knew. Sorry for not mentioning that. I was hoping for a genus, and you gave me Cyperus. Do you think that Scleria is also a possibility? Many thanks for your guess of Cyperus. Annette Aiello
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- Can you ID this plant in the marshes of Barn Island in Stonington CT
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- I found this low, lovely plant under a power towers easment in Lexington, MA, blooming in early October. Nearby are goldenrod, sweet fern, and little bluestem among others. The flower looks like Kalmia, but the time of year seems wrong.
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- Good morning, These pictures were taken in a salt Marsh in Rye, New Hampshire. Is it possible that the subspecies of bulrush (Bolboschoenus) could be determined from these images? Thanks so much for helping me, Von
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- Hi this plant is located along the Connecticut River Bank in North Haverill, New Hampshire. I can't seem to identify it by leaf or by seed pod or Fruit? I guess I could wait 'till spring to see how it blossoms but I am too curious to wait. Please let me know what this is, Thanks, T
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- The plant in the photograph almost certainly is not found in New England. It appeared in my Zingiber officinale planter, here in Panama City, Rep. Panama. Nevertheless, I am hoping that someone might be able to assign it to a genus. Thanks for any guesses you can make. Annette Aiello, aielloA@si.edu
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- September 29, 2021 sighting in Phillipston, MA forest on the border of a large swamp. Not directly in, or at the waters edge, but was near it in moist but rocky soils. Having trouble identifying it. The flowers appeared closed, but purple and growing in clusters. I did not want to force the flowers opened as they seemed pretty delicate and I did not want to disturb it. Having trouble IDing it. Thank you!
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- I live in Natick, MA and would like to identify some plants that have popped up in our back yard this summer. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Garden in the Woods. Thanks to their wonderfully helpful staff, I have a patch of native plants and a natural habitat pollinator garden. If these plants are native to our eco-region and if they are beneficial - even if considered weed in a veggie patch - I won't mind having a few of them. Thanks again for your help.
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- Hello - I found this plant for sale at a local Whole Foods in Washington DC and wanted to see if you could help identifying it. I’ve tried some plant identification apps/sites but all the matches seem to be incorrect (wandering Jew, peperomia, etc). Thanks in advance.
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- I wonder if I got this plant ID correct -- I think it may be Consolida ajacis. Found Aug. 21, 2021 on Ashuwillticook rail trail in Cheshire, MA.
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- Another wildflower found on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Cheshire, MA August 21, 2021 - only 1 image but it does include leaves. At first I thought it was Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) but the inflorescence more, thinner petals/petal divisions that appear equal in size and shape. Is this black knapweed -- Centaurea nigra?
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- Can you confirm or correct the ID of a plant in my garden? It was labeled as Helianthus divaricatus when I bought it but the characteristics don't match. Stems and leaves are scabrous (think sandpaper); new leaves are sessile, but formed leaves are short petioled (<1 cm); involucral bracts are spreading, exceeding disk; 8-13 yellow rays; disks start yellow, get a bit darker; spreads aggressively by rhizomes. I was going to share with a friend but wish to confirm ID first. Thanks.
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- Can you identify this plant?
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- I have this blue guava plant that I took over ownership for and it isn’t looking too good. I live in New Mexico and it is in a window. Any idea what is wrong with this plant and what I can do to help it live?
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- This looks parasitic, but I don’t find anything that quite matches its configuration. Central MA under a pine tree.
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- Hello! I came across a Helianthus in central NY growing in a large patch in a partial opening in the canopy possibly caused by a landslide in the past. Lots of limestone around. It seems to have shorter involucral bracts (not exceeding the disk) of Helianthus strumosus, but its leaves had toothed margins, which I think would be more like Helianthus decapetalus. Leaves were very rough on both sides, stems with sparse hairs. Any ideas which Helianthus this might be? Thanks so much
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- I appreciate the previous answer to my question but I think it was misunderstood Does the description a dichotomous key entry gives for a plant in one state apply to the same plant in another state? For example if a key for Massachusetts on dandelions says its leaf is such and such a length in Massachusetts does that information also apply to Connecticut or might the environment make that same plant look different?
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- I found this plant today grows only 6 foot and some short 2 or 3 foot has all stems on plant has a little yellow pom pom shape flower has no leaves gust stem and joint where stems grow outback Queensland Australia
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- Dear Botanist, In the area where I live, Salem Sound, Massachusetts, an oxalis plant that I always believed to be Wood Sorrel grows everywhere. On 8/25/21, I was Struck... an off-white Oxalis. To me it is clearly different, possibly a new species?? I am sure to have never come across this plant before. Both plants are in the second photo. Thank you for your help! SueLB
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- I have a question about how to use a dichotomous tree. Can I use a dichotomous tree for one state (such as California) for the same plant in another state or would the regional and environmental differences alter the structure of the plant?
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- Found this in South Kingstown, RI today. Fatoua villosa.
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- I found this flower today, a lobelia. Is it Lobelia siphilitica? Thanks, Tom
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- Aloha, located here on the Big Island of Hawaii. We have a very prolific wild grass I believe to be Colombia Blue Stem aka Schizachyrium condensatum. Could you confirm this to be the correct species and is there any toxic attributes to this grass? I would like to use it to feed my rabbits but don't want to get them sick. If you know any nutritional information on this grass I would appreciate that as well.
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- Abutilon theophasti - 3 plants, each about 4inches shorter than the others. In an estalished vegetable garden in Westerly, RI. I have gardened this space for over 30 years and have never seen in before. In back of a house built in 1734. 3 miles from CT border in the lower southeast of RI. Rec'd a terrible insect bite- any known insects inhabit this? Never seen this bite before either - black dot w/red dots around it. Looks like red dots are the "babies". Big sting when it hit! Spreading
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- Hi. Do you know what plant this is? It’s in a relatively shaded area underneath a viburnum shrub. I have a second one like this growing by a hydrangea is a partially shaded area. I don’t see any flowers or fruits on it. It’s less than 6 inches tall. I pulled one seedling out of the ground and it has its own root. Thank you.
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- I don't know whether to love or hate this plant. Every year I just let it take over. Finally I used Google image. How u found you. Google image tells me it is Commelina diffusa. Is this true. I can get another photo or 2. Thank you.
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- Broad Cove Marsh, dighton, ma
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- Botrichium in western Hillsborough County, NH. I was trying to determine if it was oneidense or dissectum? Thanks. Location: moist (but most years dry) acid hillside.
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- Hello Dear Botonist, Is it possible to tell what type, Genus or species, of grass this is... without seeds or flowers? I would appreciate any information you are able to share with me! Thank you, SueLB
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- I found this Pinesap at College Rock in Hopkinton MA on 9/7/21. Because it is red, and blooming in September, is it considered Hypopitys lanuginosa rather than H. monotropa? I read in some sources that they are not actually separate species, but the color changes later in the season, so somewhat confused. Thank you.
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- Found wild cucumber in full bloom with "hedgehog" in upstate New York. Since we are not truly a New England state, was wondering if it is Clementis instead.
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- Hello! I'm trying to identify all the flowers that grow near my house. I found some chickweed that has me stumped on the exact species. I think it's either Giant Chickweed or European Chickweed. I live in the Boston area, and both plants seem to be found in Eastern Massachusetts. I would appreciate some help with how to tell these two apart.
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- Hi there! I am curious what species of Grapefern this is. Habitat was excessively drained sandy, rocky soil on a roadside. Location was Ludlow, Windsor Co., VT. Perhaps Botrychium multifidum or B. rugulosum? Thanks, Grant
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- Dear botanist: I think this is an orchid in the genus Spiranthes, but which one? S. ochroleuca? Found today in an upland area in Woburn, among bluestem grasses. Thanks, Tom
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- I live in Thomaston, Me. I bought native BEBB WILLOW from a wholesaler and later learned that these plants were apparently propagated in Virginia, possibly even further distances from Thomaston, Maine. Will native plants propagated a great distance from where they will be planted/grown have the ecological services/benefits to host native insects? Thank you.
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- Please help me identify what this is on PUSSY WILLOW leaves in Thomaston Maine. Thank you.
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- Hello, I boxed in a maple tree while building a deck on a lake. I don’t want to damage the tree by filling the box with mulch, can you recommend a good alternative filler? Thanks - Mike
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- Spiranthes, but not sure which one… found Sept 5, Bremen, ME, on edge of field that is bush hogged every late-September or October.
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- Hello, I have a question about if you can shape cucumbers while they are growing and to the extent of which they can be shaped. I recently misheard a friend pronounce their pickles as a sphere instead of spear and the image of spherical pickles has been in my mind since. Is shaping a cucumber into a sphere possible? Inquisitively, Meghan Davenport
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- Thanks so much for your answer about Eutrochium ID! I wanted to ask a follow-up question: Is capitulum on Joe Pye one of the small floral structures that makes up the bigger corymb? Would I need to dissect this structure to see the number of flowers, or in the case of this mature one, count the number of seeds to reflect the number of disk flowers? What I'm guessing is the capitulum is the structure in the white below. Thanks again, Phil
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- Hello: I came upon this plant in a somewhat shady area of my large garden. (Albany NY). I'm guessing it is ageratum conyzoides. It's about 3' x 2.5'. Is it a good pollinator plant? Thank you for your help!
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- Hello, Can you help me determine if this is Symphyotrichum cordifolium or S. ciliolatum? The bracts on the flowers look like cordifolium but it seems to have distinctly winged petioles like ciliolatum. Thanks
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- This plant was found along the roadside in central Maine. It is the end of the summer and it looks like it’s going to seed!?
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- This plant was also spotted along the road in central Maine and it looks like a sedum? We think it is Witches’ moneybags? Not sure! Maybe you can help!
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- Reference my previous (Sodaspop) question where you want more pictures of the leaves. 2 more attached. (Original photos have closer, detailed views of leaves)
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- Are you able to identify this tree? It is planted in Groton, MA. Thank you for your consideration.
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- Hello I cannot remember planting this in my garden, no flowers or buds yet. The stems feel rough, and the leaves the same, not smooth.
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- Hi there. I just found several Persian silk trees growing on a sand/soil stockpile in Bridgewater, MA. I’m posting this because it looks to be outside the listed range on the Ho Botany website.
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- Not a question, but I wanted to share these iNat observations of Quercus montana from Fort Dummer State Park in Brattelboro, VT as I noticed this species is not listed as known from Windham County, VT on GoBotany. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65557971 https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65558031 https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65558073
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- This grass was identified along a driveway. It was not there last year, but has appeared and is spreading very quickly this summer. It reaches about 18 inches high. My concern is that this is invasive stiltgrass. Can you give me ID on this plant? Thank you!
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- Hi. This plant is growing in a weedy area of my yard in Tolland County, Connecticut. I think it is either Anaphalis margaritacea or a species of Pseudognaphalium, and would appreciate your help in identifying it. If there are any other parts of the plant that you need to see to reach a judgment, I'd be happy to take more pictures. Thank you for your help!
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- I saw this beautiful bush at Bedrock Gardens in Lee, NH. Unfortunately they do not label their plants. Is it a strawberry bush?
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- Hello! I wanted to ask if stem characteristics are a good way to tell apart Eutrochium maculatum and Eutrochium fistulosum. Does Eutrochium fistulosum have a very obviously smooth and glaucous stem with a waxy bloom, or can it sometimes have a kind of sticky texture, presumably caused by small sparse hairs? I am finding many Eutrochium plants with purplish-red, and usually hollow, stems with sticky texture. They are rarely more than 5 ft 7in tall. Location: Central and NE New York. Thanks!
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- This vine was growing on a bush in our backyard in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It looks like a blackberry vine to me, but I was flummoxed by the pentagonal cross section of the woody stem. Your thoughts?
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- How common is this plant for Fisher Arkansas in the northeastern corner of Arkansas? My dad was spraying weeds and seen it made sure he didnt get it because he said he had never seen one before.
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- In York, Maine are there plants in the Prunus genus that do not have serrated leaves? Or do newly emerged leaves sometimes have barely perceptible serrations? thank you!
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- Found a patch of an unknown plant in a Barnstable clay soil field. Five yellow ray flower petals. Head is one half cm across. The single flower head tops a five cm tall stem which has 5 to 6 opposite linear leaves clustered along the length of the stem.
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- Have had a plant for a number of years that has large dark green, purple edged leaves, never had flowers until this year. Now has flowers, but I can't identify. I don't remember where I got the plant. Can you identify? I'm in Holyoke, Massachusetts Thanks
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- please can you identify this rockery plant for me. I have had it in my UK garden for years but have lost it's name. As you can see from the Stanley Knife, it is quitec small
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- I think that I have two different species of Eutrochium but I am having a difficult time identifying the species. Also on the gobotany key it mentions the # of flowers in the capitula. Having never heard this term, is it the smallest group of ray flowers on a stem (petiole?)
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- Hello! I saw this plant in July of 2019, and have tried ever since then to identify it. It was growing along a woodland trail at Pelot's Point Nature Trail in North Hero, VT, near Lake Champlain. Disregard the catkin that had fallen on it. The violet colored stems are unusual, as are the bright green leaves. I wasn't there to see it flowering. Thanks for any help you can give. I enjoy following you on Instagram (@vtnaturalist)
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- What is this stunning wildflower? Thanks so much. I love your GoBotany site. Rosemary
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- Hi. Was just reading through other questions, and am super glad to have actual botanists I can ask questions of...but I was astonished that this statement brought no response in another question: "I did some seed collection at Verona Beach State Park on a roadside beside pine-y woods." Wow. Would one not DISCOURAGE the collection of any organic material from a site owned by the public? It seems saying nothing might make people think that was ok.
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- We have this unidentifiable plant located on side yard by the woodland area. Is this an American Burnweed? We are located in Auburn, Maine.
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- While doing a botanical survey on private land in Reading, Windsor CO., VT I came across this Dryopteris individual. GoBotany and Flora Novae Angliae keys brought me to D. filix-mas. To me it appears to be a potential or close match. Looking to get a second opinion from someone who might be more familiar with this species than me. Habitat was dry mesic - mesic northern hardwoods.
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- Small mass of this plant growing near the shore in Brooklin, ME. Snapped a quick photo but didn’t investigate further as mosquitoes were relentless. ID appreciated! Thanks.
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- This Symphyotrichum is mixed in with S. cordifolium. Any idea what it might be? Thanks
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- I just came across this observation (not my own, apologies if this is not the spirit of the website) of what I think might be a county record of Solidago squarrosa in Barnstable County, MA on iNaturalist. But I'm unsure of the ID; particularly whether the recurved phyllaries are really recurved enough to rule out other species. Anyway, I thought I'd share it here just in case it's a population of conservation interest at this location. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15435348
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- Hi I live in S Maine. I have one lindera benzoin on my property which is a "plant of special concern" in my area. (one that I have found) It has berries so my question is - how far away would the male plant be from this plant? The closest plants I know are maybe 800 feet away on my neighbor's property. Are those in range for providing pollination? Are they bee pollinated?? It's certainly too far for wind pollination. Any information you have would be of interest to me Thank you
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- Could this be a relative of the northern red park which prefers wetlands, or just a lead characteristic they develop along creek banks? It’s an unusually wide, symmetrical lead with somewhat shorter lobes pointed like a red oak would but very wide. Located along paint branch in a buggy wetland right along the bank. In the Silver Spring, MD area…
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- Neighbor asked me to identitfy two trees she wants to cut down. I think the first is a cherry though the younger leaves are splotched and the last photo, cannot identity. Live in Mass.
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- Hi Arthur, I've found Drosera intermedia (I'm fairly certain it's intermedia and not rotundifolia) along a seepy ledge along Muscongus Bay in Bristol, Maine. It gets occasional salt spray at this location. It seems like a very strange location to find this, but it's thriving - I first saw it last year and it seems even more numerous this year. Is this typically found in this type of location? (other images available if this isn't definitive...)
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- Hi again. I took some measurements of fruits and seeds from the plantain stalk I collected, and here is what I found. The fruits consistently measured at roughly 5 mm, and the seeds consistently measured at roughly 2 mm (I've attached a photo of a representative of each). Based on what you've said, it seems likely then that this plant is Plantago rugelii. Thank you very much for your guidance!
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- I found this plant many years ago in the Freeport area while hiking. I brought a small sample home and planted it in my yard. Only recently have I questioned what it might be. This sounds crazy but it looks and grows just like a lightning leaf jewel orchid. That shouldn’t be possible, they are tropical.
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- Hi again, this is a follow up to my plantain question I asked earlier. I examined a fruit as you suggested, and located what I believe is the line of dehiscence, which I hope I've adequately photographed here. The line is not exactly in the middle, but is this roughly where you would expect to find it in Plantago major? Comparing to pictures I've been able to find of the fruits of both P. major and P. rugelii, I'm still not totally sure. Thank you again for your help!
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- I have spotted what Might be creeping cinquifoil in my yard in Lee, NH (see photo). Please confirm? Thank you!
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- Hi. This plantain is growing at the edge of our driveway in Tolland County, Connecticut. I am wondering if it is Plantago rugelii. Is the reddish-purple color near the base of the petioles sufficient for distinguishing this species from P. major, or are there other traits I need to consider? Thank you for your help!
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- Great Meadows NWR, edge of pond. Persicaria pensylvanica?
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- This Humulus plant is growing in the side a a road I walk. Is it native? How can I tell the difference between Humulus americanus and H.lupulus? I see some sites listing H. lupulus as native? Do we have a native hops in Maine? Thanks for your help.
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- aquatic .. opposite leaves and had red achenes .. co - habiting with pipewort... in Canada, Algoma District of Ontario
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- Sorry, no camera but i think the canopy was so dense it might not have worked. Thigh high bloom stalk. orchid-shaped light violet blooms, scattered randomly about the stem on a steep very rocky hillside in a deciduous forest in ne CT. no leaves associated with that blackish stem,,,,unless they were the leaves i often saw near the bloom stalk. The flowers are alternatei would say not a well filled out column like obedient plant.Reminded me of micrantha
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- Hello! I'm wondering if you might have any advice on how to tell the difference between a young Vaccinium corymbosum and Vaccinium angustifolium. I did some seed collection at Verona Beach State Park on a roadside beside pine-y woods, the very low plants were on the forest edge and the area is generally wetland-y, several Vaccinium species (including V. corymbosum and Gaylussacia grew there together. I keyed the plant out to angustifolium but the leaf didn't seem particularly "angust". Thanks!!
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- My house came with a patch of 2 meter tall goldenrod. I don't know if it is wild or planted. It is starting to bloom in late July after a lot of rain earlier in the month.
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- I've keyed this plant observed today in Cheshire, Connecticut to either Polygala sanguinea or P. nuttallii (state threatened) and the key I'm using (Magee and Ahles) has the difference between them down to the calyx wings being either 3 mm or greater and exceeding the corolla (sanguinea), or 2.7 mm or less and equaling the corolla (nuttallii). I'm not exactly sure where to measure the wings from (is it the length of an individual sepal?). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
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- Here is a closer view of my Verbascum. The single flower in closeup is about 15 mm wide. The leaf is about 100 mm long.
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- Additional photo of previous sent question
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- I sent a picture in last night of a plant for ID, thinking in the back of my mind that it may be Senna hebecarpa. Today, I returned and was able to pet a picture of the petiole and the emerging inflorescence. Am i correct in my assumption?
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- Hello! First time to post but I'm looking for some help identifying some plants/vines in my backyard. We just rented an apartment in Brooklyn NY and found it to be overrun with vines. I'm concerned about the fuzzy looking vines attached to the tree and if they are poison ivy. I included a photo of the vines on the fence as well. Thanks so much!
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- I have a weeping spruce (picea engelmannii pendula) that I planted in the spring of 2020 in a large container with potting mix in Brooklyn, NY mostly shady. It has started dropping a lot of its needles. There are small white spots on the needles and a bit of browning. Could this be a fungus or árcale? What is the proper treatment? Is it possible to save the tree? The container receives mostly rain water and the soil seems consistently moist not wet. We have had many days above 90 degrees.
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- Hello, Thank you for your help earlier with the goutweed identification; I think I have the confirmation (backwards-curving styles), but I still wanted to check again.
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- Roadside, Lincoln, Massachusetts. Growing in a clearing where a tree fell down about two years ago. It reminds me of mullein except the mullein on my lawn has a much longer cluster of flowers.
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- Looking to ID the alternate branching plant in the photo with compound leaves. Found in wetlands of south central Mass
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- Is the uploaded image Blephilia ciliata or some confounding relative? Found in Dorset, VT in disturbed, dry habitat (roadside) on lower mountain slope.
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- Just wondering if I’m correct in identifying this plant as as Melampyrum lineare and wondering about the variation in the leaf shape as they don’t appear to resemble the leaves from other pics I seen of this plant?
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- This is a pic of the berries.
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- We recently transplanted some ferns near a creek deep in the woods to a NE facing side of the house. Some stragglers came with them. Can you ID? Leitchfield, KY
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- I'm stuck - I found this low-growing plant at the edge of a wetland just west of Albany NY, growing with sensitive fern, fringed loosestrife, and lots of sedges beneath an open canopy of quaking aspen, white pine, and oak. There were also lots of smaller single leaves scattered around. No flowers/flower stalks. It's the uneven leaf base that's the difficulty - all the leaves that I saw were the same, although I suppose I could be a single large clone.
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- Millinocket ME. Any idea?
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- Hello, I’ve been eying this little plant for a few weeks now and cannot identify it. It’s growing on a ledge outcrop in Newtown, CT. Other species around it include danthonia, aquilegia, heuchera, triodanis, and lots of hackelia. The plant is wet from rain in the pictures, so the tiny cream colored petals are a bit obscured, but hopefully that won’t matter. Thank you!
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- Hi, I found this plant along the side of a dirt road in the NEK of VT, town of Westmore. I believe it is in the Pyrola family. There are a few possibilities ?
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- Growing on my lawn in Massachusetts. The leaves are much yellower than the adjacent Pycnanthemum muticum. There are no flowers yet. A broken leaf has a strong mint smell. Melissa officinalis?
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- Central MA, woodland, partial shade. About 2' tall (so far) and large leaves are ~9" long. No luck keying it out, and I'm concerned it could be toxic to my goats. Thanks for any help!
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- I have a sedge I'm trying to ID, but I'm very bad at it. It's in inland Massachusetts, in an often damp but not truly wet area. I've only found a few. The example shows one seed head; another plant has multiples. The leaves have a deep groove along their spine and a sandpaper feel. I'm trying to decide what plants merit moving to a safer space come fall, when the area may be dug up.
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- hello sir these are the picture of the same plant in the field and in the lab kindly share its scientific name
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- Growing on my lawn in Massachusetts. Hypericum perforatum? (With some hawkweed mixed in.)
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- Hello, Do you know anything about the edibility of the various species that make up the genus Scirpus? While there seems to be a bit of information available about Scirpus microcarpus, there is little I can find about the others. Thank you.
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- Hello, can you tell me what kind of Clematis this is and if it's native to the northeast?
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- Hi, trying again with better photos of the flowers, which are quite small. See prior photos sent this weekend for leaves. Thanks!
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- I spotted this beauty yesterday, June 26, at Wilbur Preserve South in Dennis on Cape Cod. It was growing in sand next to the parking area along the edge of a marshy inlet mostly surrounded by beach roses & such. I haven't been able to ID it. I'd thought perhaps something in the clover family, but can't find any that are even close to this color. Can anyone help? Sorry I didn't get a better picture of the base of the plant, I didn't expect it to be this tricky. Thanks!
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- I live in East Texas. This plant is growing along the edge of my backyard pond. no flowers. It has vine-like extentions that float on surface of the water.
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- I live in central province of New Brunswick , Canada. I took 2 cuttings from a Red Champlain shrub, and put them in a raw potato and this is what came out. Can't seem to find what it is..
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- I live in East Texas and this plant it growing along the edge of the pond in my backyard. It has vine like extensions that extend a few feet into the water. No flowers.
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- you told me in June: Dear BOwers19+, good morning. The liana in the images you submitted is Vitis lubrusca (fox grape), a native member of the grape family. It has the largest and sweetest fruits of any of our native grapes. The vines have no fruit, flowers gone Is the vine fox grape?
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- Hi, sorry, I'm having some trouble for writing the floral formula of Olea Europaea, someone can help? Thank you in advance.
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- I cannot identify what exactly are these, and they don’t seem to be that harmful but still they bother me and they seem to be sucking off the leaves. I tried once to spray some alcoholic disinfectant and they disappeared for quite a month or two. Now they are back again. I’m in Austria and this is a Dracaena
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- This flower has appeared in my backyard near Boston (upland) next to a fence with our neighbor's yard that is unmown in the summer - lots of canada goldenrod there. I was not able to ID it using GoBotany. Individual flowers are quite small -- 1 cm at most. Any ideas? Thanks.
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- I have a lot of this around my house in Massachusetts. I think it is a species of Pycnanthemum. It was probably originally planted as an ornamental so it might not be a New England native. A leaf has a strong mint smell when broken.
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- A grape vine growing over a smoke tree in Massachusetts.
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- I have a lot of this rush growing in a usually shaded area next to my house in Massachusetts.
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- Hi Botanists, I found this Juncus specimen on the shore of a freshwater pond near the ocean in Newport County, RI. Can it be identified further? Thanks!
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- I hope that southern Quebec is not too far away from New England to post this question. I found this pink lichen growing on a cut log in a woodpile in Gore, Quebec. The pink colour surprised me, and a quick Google search for pink lichen turns nothing up. How can I identify it, document it and responsibly collect it?
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- Im trying to grow purple sugarcane in Jacksonville Florida, and i've noticed parts of the leaves of my plant have been eaten. Along with this, my plants leaves have been wilting and becoming discolored. what plants/diseases are causing this?
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- I'm doing the set dressing on a film that takes place in the 1920's and trying to figure out what this plant is in my reference photo. Any ideas?
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- Is this an elm? What’s the growth on the leaves?
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- Hi, I found a plant today on a roadside in Putney VT. Reminds me of the Figwort family (which I believe has been re assessed and some genera are now placed elsewhere) Leaves: sessile, entire, alternate with parallel-ish venation. Flowers: lower lip white/cream with brownish upper lip, and brownish venation within, sepals hairy: 3 above upper lip and 2 under lower lip. My photo will not upload on this site... could you send me an email address so I can attach it directly? Thanks!
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- I was sent this photo to id, but can't seem to submit it. Can I email it? To what address? The plant came up in a CT garden that is regularly watered. Submitter is concerned its an invasive. From photo, petioles and stems do not appear pubescent. Submitter confirmed. No flowers yet. I was thinking possibly Echinocystis lobata. Submitter then told me he applied purchased topsoil to garden. Perhaps seeds came in with soil. Any thoughts on id?
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- I encountered this multi-stemmed woody plant on an open, western-facing talus slope in Rutland County, VT on May 7th. Is it possible to identify it from the photo?
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- I have Bidens frondosa growing out of a flowerpot that usually has standing water. (Identified based on the plants that grew nearby last year.) My question is, can Bidens seeds germinate underwater or do they require exposure to air?
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- I think this is stinging nettle, which grows nearby, but some non-native Lamiaceae in the area also have opposite, toothed leaves with flowers growing along the stem. In a disturbed area in Massachusetts.
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- Is this Campanula glomerata L. clustered bellflower? Non-native, correct? In Worcester, MA. Is it bad to let it stay in my garden if I have the correct ID? Thanks for your help.
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- Found in Alton, NH Is this the small whorled pagonia? Isotria medeoloides
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- I'm trying to identify this plant. The location is in Berkshire County, MA. It's obviously in the Apiaceae family but i'm having a hard time identifying it. it's really common, grows along roads and trails, usually in somewhat wooded areas. My best guess is Cow Parsley or Bland Sweet Cicely.
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- Hello! Thank you for providing this service. This fast-growing suckering sapling is in full sun in my yard: disturbed glacial-lake plain, several feet of sand atop heavy clay till. I live in Webster NY, so not exactly New England, but would like to know whether this tree is native to the Northeast. Scale is in inches. Photos are portrait, not landscape. Trunk is exfoliating. Only young leaves are shiny. None of it smells of wintergreen. Is it a type of birch? -- Barb
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- Identification help? Location is Vermont (Chittenden county) by Lake Champlain. Flower picture from May 8, seed picture from end of May. Rocky cliffs above the lake. Maybe Boechera grahamii but rare in VT?
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- Hello Dear Botonist, I am hoping that you can ID the Genus and species of this plant for me. Thank you, SueLB
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- Hello Arthur (Ace!) - I need help distinguishing Eurybia divaratica from Symphyotricum cordifolium-- in spring time/now, before they are flowering or the plant has yet grown in height. Here are a few examples... maybe they are all same species, maybe not? Thanks much!
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- We saw this Primula growing along a brook in Monroe State Forest, far from any homes/humans. The closest match I can find is a Primula laurentiana, but that does not seem correct. Thanks!
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- OK so this question is purely theoretical, but what would happen to plant life if clouds were at ground level instead of in the sky? If water was transmitted through absorbing condensation?
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- My sister who lives in Cary, Maine, gave me this small mountain ash that she dug up near her home, which is in a large wooded area in Northern, Maine. She believes it’s a native mountain ash, but after doing some research I’m not so sure. Can you please help me determine if this is Showy mountain ash or European mountain ash? Pics attached. Thank you. Susan H.
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- Hello, I'm looking for suggestions for our local Tree Commission for native species trees that may be used as street trees - realizing there are limitations of course. Currently, they are only planting zelkova, pears, and honey locusts. Any directions to resources would be appreciated. Winthrop, MA - right by Logan, Chris Z.
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- Hello, I have often used the key and been confused by some of the distinctions in the "specific habitat" section-- particularly, the distinction between shores of rivers and floodplains, and between forests and woodlands, and I was wondering about how and why they are differentiated. Thank you.
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- I have a young Amelanchier purchased last spring. For personal reasons, I haven't been able to get outdoors to look at it. It appears some animal has chewed on the tree--through the bark and into the sapwood. There are just a few leaves left on the tree. It's small—the diameter where the damage is is about 3/4" diameter. Do you think I can save it?
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- this vine is growing along the Lamprey River in the woods. I tried to ID it using Go Botany, but I am still not sure what it is. I want to make sure it is not an invasive vine. Please tell me what plant this is?
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- Another Rubus from my yard in Massachusetts. I transplanted it to its current location because it was in the way. When I moved it, I noticed the stems were growing roots where they bent down and touched the ground. Is that behavior typical of the genus or only found in a few species? Based on the contrast in stem color, maybe Rubus occidentalis?
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- This is growing in my yard in Massachusetts. There are two thick stems, both with flowers. So assuming it is a Rubus, no primocanes. I don't know if it is wild or planted before I bought the house.
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- Growing at the edge of a lawn in Massachusetts. I don't know if it's an ornamental or a wild species.
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- Hello! Thank you so much for your generosity in helping people in the region identify and learn about the plants in their area. I have been looking at this plant species for a few years and was wondering what they might be. My suspicion is a species of Angelica, but I have not been able to confirm. The plant is on the side of a natural ditch, at the edge of a wet meadow, again in southwestern Vermont.
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- Hello there, attached are more photos of the "wild parsnip" I was asking about. If you could tell me whether or not these are invasive and if I should pull them out, that would be very helpful. I've also uploaded photos of the lupine I have in my wildflower garden, but I'm concerned that they are of the blue lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) type. Should I clear them out as well? It's concerning to me that there are places that are selling "native seeds" that are not really native. Thank you!
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- Hello. Is this Boechera missouriensis or Turritis glabra?
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- Is this wild parsnip? If so, I'm assuming I should get rid of it?
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- Identified as Fen Grass of Parnassus by Picture This. Location of plant is Bethesda, MD, a suburban city of the DC Metro area. I uncovered it today as I was clearing our backyard woodlands area. We backup to parkland. What is it doing here do you think?
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- Hello. I've noticed that there are several iNaturalist observations of Toxicodendron pubescens in New England and New York (northeast of the USDA database's range limit of New Jersey). Most of these look more like T. radicans (to my unexperienced eyes) however a few have larger rounded lobes on the leaflets, more like other images of T. pubescens. Do you have a sense of how reliable leaf shape is here? Is it likely this plant has populations in the northeast? Thanks!
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- Taken in Hampton, CT 5-17-21. What type of maple tree is this? The seeds are bright red.
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- Good day, I am interested in knowing more about this shrub. What Genus is it in? Are you able to provide any information on it's disease? Thank you very much, SueLB
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- What is this plant? In Boise, ID outside year-round.
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- Hello! I found this plant in a Black Ash Swamp today (May 30) in Hanover, Grafton County, NH. It has no basal or other leaves. Using your guide, I believe it may be an early coral-root. Would you agree, or have other thoughts? Thanks for the help!
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- This volunteer has been widespread in my dry Lexington MA yard for many years, particularly in sunny areas. It seems to be some kind of Lysimachia (quadrifolia or quadriflora?) Can you confirm?
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- I found this plant in NE British Columbia Bear Flat, BC Can you tell me what it is please?
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- I believe that I have cow parsley as an invasive alien in our hedgerows in West Boylston. It is blooming now (last week of May) and is about 2-3 feet tall. How can I be sure and differentiate it from other similar plants?
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- Here's one more if you don't mind? My best guess is catalpa but the leaves look wrong. It has a single, woody stem with medium brown bark. South Hadley, MA. Thank you!
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- Hello! Another small tree volunteering by my foundation in South Hadley, MA. Is this a hornbeam or something else? Thank you!
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- I’m taking care of a plant and I’m just having some trouble identifying it/knowing how to care for it. I was told it only gets 2 cups of water a week but after only having it for a day it seems to be having problems and I’m not sure why; its leaves are turning a dry brown color, & I don’t know if it’s because it’s dehydrated or what since I was told to only water with 2cups/week.
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- This tree has me stumped. Prunus, yes? But what species? Location: residential property shoreline along Scarborough Marsh. The owners cut back a tall dense hedge of this last year. Resprouting from stems about 2 - 3 in diameter. The bark looks like an obvious cherry, but doesn't seem to be P. serotina or P. virginiana (of which there is a lot around the property). It never fruited or flowered according to the property owners, and the stems were very straight. Thank you!!
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- I'lm issing something. where do you have the coastal lupine that blooms all sorts of colors, listed? I see it from easatern Maineinto New Brunswick.
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- Growing on an unmowed lawn in Massachusetts.
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- Hi! May I know is sandpaper vine flowers are edible?
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- Found this plant on several hikes recently in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically near Sandpoint, Idaho and south of that, near Dworshak Reservoir. A long way away from it's range it seems? Thanks!
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- Does this plant have a name and history?
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- Request to identify this plant: Northbridge, MA, May 18, 2021
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- Request to identify this plant: Northbridge, MA, May 18, 2021
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- Does PlantShare use sightings to combat invasive species? I travel all across New England, and after years volunteering pulling invasives, I see them everywhere I look! I feel powerless watching new patches pop up along roadsides each year, knowing it's best to strike before they're established, but I can't dig up every lone garlic mustard or patch of knotweed I pass. I searched online but there doesn't seem to be any centralized effort. I could provide a lot of data if only I knew who to tell!
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- Arthur, I saw a few of these last year but they are now taking over an area around a ledge and even growing out of stone walls. This is in Southeast MA (Dighton). It appears to be Hieracium maculatum but maybe a cultivar that spreads rapidly. Any thoughts? David
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- Here are some more photos of the possible native cherry. Thank you
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- There are 3 photos. 2 photos are of is a tree growing on my compost. I photo of a shrub with a pink flower that I have in my yard. I saw one like it at the Arnold Arboretum. Thank you
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- Rattlebone13,
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- Hello! This plant appeared in my parent's yard in Sherborn, MA a few years ago. It is in their backyard in a part-shade area; it popped up in the crack between the walkway and a flowerbed. It was pretty so they let it stay and after it got large they were able to divide it and give one to me. I'd like to know what it is before I plant it. The picture is of a division in a 4" pot; each flower is less than 1/2" diameter. Thank you!
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- Can you help me identify this plant? I have four of them. The leaves are long and have a white vein down the center.
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- What is this? NewYork 13796 Just seemed to appear one early spring. Will appreciate any help on this...coming up all over. Thnx.
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- Hi, I recently discovered this sapling growing at the edge of the woods behind my back yard, and I am wondering if it is Prunus persica? There is a compost pile nearby from which a seed could have plausibly traveled. This is in Tolland County, Connecticut. Thank you for your help!
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- Hello there I am a new orchid moth mom. I am very worried of my plant because the roots look a bit brown in some greenroots. I have not repotted as of yet and i'm not sure if the plant medium is the correct one. I don't overwater my orchid and the one time that i gave it water I made sure the pot drained and then one of the baby leaves turned yellow. The tip of the orchid is starting to dry out after having so many nice blooms wither away. My plant is also in indirect sunlight per instructions.
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- I believe this is a Hobblebush Viburnum. The leaves look more like an Arrowwood Viburnum to me, but the flowers look like a Hobblebush. The bush is 9-10 ft. tall.
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- Good evening! How is it possible this cactus has a pup that looks like its surrounding cacti ? Thank you for your time .
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- Once again, no camera I travel this trail weekly dildn't expect a lesson. 4-5 inch flower stalks sometimes without visible leaves because they spring from an western facing rock face along the trail,,,the leaves are ?dentate? aboaut 4 at the base of the stem when visible,,,the flowers are 5-petalled off -white and perhaps pinkish towards the base ,sinble. . In bloom now. Multiple flower stalks, blooms perhaps 5 cm across if that much so you could go by them and not realize you see something.
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- Haven't seen this before. There's a small cluster in the yard (semi grassy mossy area,) towards an area partially shrub-shaded A type of fleabane? Harmless good? Or bad
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- We bought our house last fall (Woburn, MA) so didn't have a full picture of the plants in the beds. In the last two weeks the pictured plant has started popping up everywhere. My plant ID app says it's Creeping Bellflower. Bad news! First, is it? Second, I am digging and pulling as much as possible, but everything I've read said it's nearly impossible to eradicate fully: is there a thuggish, aggressive native perennial that might outcompete this? Asters? Goldenrod? Help!!
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- DId not have a camera. Oaken slopes along wide brook areas, lot of trout lily, yellow violets, dwarf ginseng, wake robin and??? knee high , white blooms pendulous, at top of plant, 4-petalled, opposite triangle-shaped irregular leaves, a trio towards the base and another trio before the bloom, the flowers are off=white. ps could send seeds for the mixed clumps of white Blue Flag this fall.
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- I have been trying to find out what type of plant this is. They are growing on a hill in the woods in Connecticut, I've seen several and they all seem to be growing at the base of a tree. It's just one leaf each plant. Thanks for any help!
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- My question is actually about weather to plant the non-native plant- Siberian Scilla in my home garden in central Vermont. Apparently it is considered an invasive plant in Minnesota, but not in New England. I love the flowers and would like to plant it here, but not if I would be introducing something harmful to the native flora. What is your input on this?
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- I have one Viburnum plicatum tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake Doublefile' planted a few years ago. It's in very good health but I get no berries for birds. I've researched a bit and understand that I need another one of same species for cross pollination. A few other kinds of V. plicatum tomentosum are 'Popcorn' or 'Opening Day' or 'Mariesi' or 'Shasta' (doublefile varieties). I just want to confirm that I am correct in needing to plant one of these. How close to my existing Viburnum should it go?
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- Can you identify this- growing in upland wooded area in CT?
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- Hello again, ace botanists. Found these Myosotis plants poking up in some short grass (location: Barrington, RI). They have small flowers and are mostly gray except for the greenish leaves. I believe they could be blue scorpion-grass (M. stricta). Thanks!
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- Gardner, MA--Four years of only green ferns in a deciduous wooded, rocky portion of the west property line. We have been cautiously encouraging volunteers as we try re-wilding mostly the borders of our small property. Yesterday, I noticed some ruddy brown newbies, with one starting to unfurl a green frond (1st img). I am not sure if these are northern maidenhair fern [Adiantum pedatum L.] or something else? Please advise. Thank you in advance for any assistance with this ID.
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- This plant NEVER blooms nor does it have anything other than leaves. It has a purplish/pink stem that is rather translucent and reminds me of plants growing in wet areas. I have tried to take better photos with the hopes of someone being able to identify the plant or point in a genre that may contain related plants. It is growing under two 80 foot Pine trees and has been there for many years. It is truly a Spring plant because the it only lasts until mid-May or early June.
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- Here’s a closeup picture RE: Japanese yew tree. Taxus cuspidata? Posted yesterday What do you mean by “pollen-bearing and seed-bearing organs are on different plants”?
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- Japanese yew tree. It’s large and wide spreading. I believe this is what’s in my front yard. moved in 2016 to this home in Warwick RI. But the tree has zero red berries. So I’m not sure if it really Taxus cuspidata after all.
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- Podophyllum peltatum L. Found a patch of May Apple in the woods in South East Pa How to care for them? Will the deer eat them? Thanks
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- Is this cardamine maxima? South central Vermont, woodland slope. Photo taken today (4/26). Thank you!
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- Hello, I don't think this image uploaded yesterday. Does anyone know what this plant is growing in my garden? I live in Middlesex county next to wetlands and floodplain. I don't know if this is a plant that I forgot I planted or a wetlands plant? I have searched on the web and haven't found anything. Thank you for any help
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- Hello ace botanists. I have located another plant that I have been unable to identify. This was found on April 24 in the Great Swamp Management Area in Washington County, RI. More specifically, I found several of these tall, white-flowered plants in an area of "young forest", where the large trees were intentionally cut down to provide a different kind of habitat. This habitat is mostly shrubs and young trees, but with some tall holly trees as well. Thanks in advance!
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- I know this is a site mostly associated with New England flora, so I understand if you can't help with this question. I'm curious what plants and flowers and trees grow naturaly in (and are commonly associated with) both the state of Veracruz in Mexico, and the state of Louisiana. Are there any such flora?
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- This plant has been coming up each Spring in my late husband's shade garden under two large Pine trees where Lily-of-the-Valley, Trilium, and Jack & Jills-in-the-Pulpit also grow. It usually comes up when the temperatures begin to stay around 40 F and then fades quickly once the temps approach a consistent 65 to 70 F. It has never flowered and I have never explored whether it is a bulb or root based plant. Can you identify it from the photos? Thanks!
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- Found this randomly growing plant. It is such a pretty looking plant I'd love to know more about it.
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- I figured I'd ask here too. Any ideas on what these are? Are they invasive and should they be destroyed (bagged up and left in the sun since we can't burn yet)? Located in multiple spots in a lawn in Eagle Bay, New York. I cut one open and thankfully it was a plant based thing and not a larva. Located in spots near deer poop. We didn't notice them last weekend when we were up. It looks like a root or a rhizome of some sort.
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- This is a follow up from a question yesterday. Thank you for identifying the flower as bloodroot...I thought the flower for bloodroot had more petals and didn’t recognize it. My daughter-in-law sent me a new photo today after I told of your response and indeed it had grown out more to reveal the multi petaling. I also asked her to rip the leaf as you said and Sure enough, the latex oozed out. I’m sharing that photo. Thanks for all you do for all of “us” lifelong learners!
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- Do you have any idea what this young tree or shrub is? It's volunteering in my back yard in Western Mass. The roots (I transplanted it since it was right beside the house) are a flat shallow disclike pattern. Each branch has two opposite terminal buds.
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- This has appeared in my daughter-in-law’s garden and she didn’t recall planting anything there and wondered what it could be. It’s mid April in central Maine if that helps! Thank you!
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- Dear all, In West Newbury, MA along the road there was about dozen white flowering trees located in very wet soils (noticeable skunk cabbage, iris nearby). The six petal white flower resembled sweet bay magnolia. I have included a photo of the flower, bracts, hopefully enough of the plant that an identification can be done. Is this possible for Essex County , MA? Thanks for your help! Best regards, Von
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- Hello again, ace botanists. I apologize for the frequency of which I am asking these questions. If this violates any written or unwritten rule, by all means, please tell me as I would not want to annoy you with too many identification requests. I have located another plant that I cannot identify confidently, but I believe it may a spurge. I found it in a patch of deciduous forest in Hunts Mills, East Providence, RI. Thanks in advance!
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- You tentatively identified my mystery plant as Othocallis sibirica but wanted to see flowers to confirm. I'm hoping the two here - one of how the flowers are held with blooms pointing downward and the other of an open bloom - will help. I was unable to get a closeup of the bloom to upload, but can try again if you need that. If it is this plant, it is not native. Would you advise removing it? I looked it up and found that there are no reported sightings of it in Maine. Is that correct?
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- This plant has been spreading in the woods for the last 2-3 years. It has white flowers. Please identify. Thank you, Carolyn
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- this plant is in the backyard of a friend's house in Maryland. Does anyone know what plant it is?
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- Re my recent Carex question, I pulled back the scale and found the perigynium to be a little over 1mm, with the beak (if it is the skinny top part) somewhat less than .5mm. Some nearby clumps have started spreading. This is cleared land smothered in mulch, so life is just returning. I will watch it throughout the season. Thanks so much.
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- Hello again, ace botanists. Thank you for answering my previous question about the chickweed/stitchwort. I have located a similar plant (in fact, only about 35 feet from the other), but the grooves in its petals aren’t nearly as deep. It grows low to ground, popping up in between some bricks on the ground, with shorter stems that the stitchwort I observed before. This is in Bristol, Rhode Island. Could it be mouse-ear chickweed?
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- This looks like Carex pensylvanica to me. If that seems right, can I tell for sure now? Photo from April 14 in central Ma. The flowers are our before the leaves in a good-sized clump in a fairly sunny location.
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- These come up every year at this time (late March /early April). Short bloom period. They are at the edge of an old tub/planter in the yard in Eastport. Quite short - around 5-6" at top of leaf and flower. I've looked through lists, tried to go through dichotomous keys, but have not had any luck. Admittedly, someone in past decades could have planted these so perhaps they aren't wild?
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- This willow is on Lexington Town conservation land, possibly planted there. I am wondering if it is Salix caprea or another non-native. There are a few multistem trees that are about 10'
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- Hello ace botanists, I have a question about this plant, which I believe to be chickweed. I know there are multiple chickweeds, which all look exactly the same to me, so I am requesting expert assistance on its identification. I tried to get a close photo of a single flower, but they are quite small. Thanks in advance.
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- Hello, I found this succulent plant along a freshwater stream in southeastern CT. It is in a protected area with a history of human disturbance. Surrounding the plant is Rosa multiflora, skunk cabbage and Norway Spruce. I assume it it likely a nonnative species. The plant is 6 inches tall, light green with whorled leaves that are coarsely dentated.
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- Good afternoon, I hope I am not breaking any etiquette by re-asking a question, or whether I should be using other means, but I wanted to clarify on the plant I wanted to make sure was Aegopodium podagraria, with its white summer umbels. The plant is found abundantly in the willow copse, although it is scattered all over the riverbanks: in a wood of boxelder and black locust, over a meadow of sedges and joe pye weed, and so on. For a more precise location: Mettowee Valley of S. VT. Thank you.
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- Hello. Can you tell me if this is Abies balsamea or Abies fraseri, please? I see the twig is hairy, which i think is fraseri, but not sure. I know fraseri is mostly in the south, but this area is a suburb and could have been planted on purpose. thank you.
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- Hello. I thought this plant was Cardamine hirsuta, but the leafs clearly have pointed projections at the leaf tips. What do you think? Thanks..
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- I see that the GoBotany range map has Spiranthes lacera in every Maine county, yet the MNAP rare plant sheets list S. lacera var gracilis as being possibly extirpated in ME. Is S. lacera var lacera currently extant in all or most Maine counties?
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- Hello Arthur. This is in the Town Forest of Amesbury. Is it Beaked or American Hazelnut? The branchlets seem to have a few stipitate glands, but the catkins seem to be sessile. At other times of the year i have only seen the Beaked Hazelnut fruit.
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- Does North America have a native flower that is semi-parasitic? The Brits have one called yellow rattle/Rhinanthus minor.
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- Is this common flowering-quince? If so I've documented the species in Hartford County in the town of South Windsor, CT.
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- Do you know what kind of grass this would be? It was growing in Martin Burns WMA on the side of a gravel road right next to a slope. Thank you!
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- Good morning, These seeds were found in flower bed containing daylillies, evening primrose and doronicum; not able to identify. Can you help? Thank you.
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- Hello, Arthur. I think this is Broomsedge Bluestem, going mostly by the plant form and the habitat. I'm sending it to you in part because I don't see it shown as present in Orange County. It's under the power lines in Amesbury Town Forest, and I see other sightings a bit further south under the power lines in INaturalist. Chaffee Monell
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- Hello, I found this plant covering a nearby floodplain, which I am strongly inclined to believe is Aegopodium podagraria. However, I am unsure on exactly how to differentiate them from Conioselinum plants, which seem to have a very similar description-- I would consider my identification fine if goutweed were not another plant of the carrot family and a plant I was planning on eating. Would you know of any good ways to differentiate them?
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- Does Epigaea repens have a relationship with oak trees? Or with any other species in particular?
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- Hi there, I saw this tiny plant last week on moss-covered rocky outcrops on Mt Toby. The leaves were each about 1 cm long, and most were in a basal rosette like shown. Any ideas? Thanks!
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- Hello! I'm from Malaysia. I would be very happy if you can identify for me what flower is this, because I have searched on Google or any applications like NatureID or PictureThis but still can't find the answer. Thankyou in advance :) Anyway, the habitat is in a garden.
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- Cuscuta gronovii? Ferrisburgh, VT August 23, 2014, Thanks.
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- Cuscuta gronovii? Salisbury, VT August 2020
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- Rudbeckia laciniata? Salisbury, VT August. Thanks
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- Hi! I'm a Living Collections fellow at Long Hill Estate (The Trustees) in Beverly, MA. We have a number of plants on the property that are labeled Myrica Pensylvanica, but I've recently learned they're of wild provenance dating to the early 20th century: I'm wondering if they're Morella caroliniensis. A Q &A entry from this board dating to 2017 outlined some of the differences, but the botany is a little beyond my level. Can I send pics, and could you describe what you'd want to see in them? Tx!
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- Hello I was walking to work earlier today and this beauty caught my eye. Do you know the name of this flower/plant? Was thinking about growing it in my yard.
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- Wasque reservation, Chappaquiddick, Martha’s Vineyard (Edgartown, MA). Plant found on beach Dec 12, 2020.
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- Unknown grass The grass rhizome is very unusual, it grows in the woods, in a shady spot, in heavy wet clay, but I believe was brought by a builder, who dump loads of this heavy clay from another construction site, before I purchase the property. With this came lots of invasive species like field garlic, Japanese honeysuckle, Japanese barberry, rosa multiflora, stilt grass and others. This is why, I believe it is also invasive like the rest of them. My location is Nokesville VA
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- We have pastures in Petaluma, ca that this plant (ground cover type) is showing up and we have no idea what or if it is a safe plant for our livestock to graze on.hope you can help. Thank you Lthorne
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- Hello Botanist, I see this vine growing in NYC near small ponds. It seem fairly common, but I would greatly appreciate your assistance.
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- Hi, this plant was left behind in a pot by a previous tenant. We don't know exactly what it is, but was told it might be elderberry. Photos are of the leaves and the base of the stem that seems to show it breads under the soil by rhizomes. We are in NYC, but not sure it's a native plant or bought online. Thanks in Advance.
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- Hi there, I'm from Middlesex county, and I have seen Ilex opaca in a number of undisturbed forests as well as some forest fragments, however, I see that it is not listed as occurring in Middlesex county on Bonap data. The following individual is from the Hop Brook Natural Area in Framingham, where there are a couple of flowering individuals scattered throughout the red maple swamp, and which is the northernmost population I have found.
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- Greetings, My name is Ruth I am writing to ask if you may recognize a plant that was brought to me from Mexico. I was told I can use it for tea. Please, if you can identify this plant it would be greatly appreciated.
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