Question: Good morning, Botany Brainiacs! Spotted this morning along an offshoot of the old Hamden/Hampshire Canal near the MA/CT line. In …
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Question
Good morning, Botany Brainiacs! Spotted this morning along an offshoot of the old Hamden/Hampshire Canal near the MA/CT line. In the past this area was only wet during spring thaw, but increasing run-off from new construction uphill has turned the spring flow to a raging torrent, which has carved a gulley all the way down to the water table! There's a short stretch that is now wet almost continuously, and new plants appearing we haven't seen here before. Any ideas on this one? Thanks! :)
Answer
Dear Kamereone, good afternoon. The plants look like Leucothoe fontanesiana (highland dog-laurel), a non-native member of the heath family that is frequently planted and sometimes escapes. In a couple of weeks there should be open flowers that would remind you of blueberry. Best wishes.
