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Questions and Answers

2025

• Question

  Help identifying this plant in our yard. Shady location, NW Connecticut.

  
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• Question

  Is this tree located in Benson, VT green ash (F. pennsylvanica)?

  
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• Question

  I posted a question earlier about a plant that I thought could be Roseroot. Looking carefully at the plant and the flowers (photos were posted earlier), I think I was wrong and that the plant might be Narrow leafed bush clover, Lespedeza angustifolia. Close look at the fresh flowers, they seem to be cream colored and there are purple spots. And the fuzzy leaves seem to be in three leaflets when they are pulled away from the stalk. And it’s a local plant, not an unusual one. Carol Knox

  
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• Question

  A friend, (Cathy Williamson), found & photographed this plant in West Falmouth, MA. Her phone id was 'Goldenroot'. Because she hadn't seen this plant before, she asked me to id it for her. I thought perhaps Rhodiola rosea L. using my guides and the NE Flora. Cathy collected a flowering stalk, which I photographed and pressed. Attached are Cathy's photos of the collection site and my photographs of the collected stalk. Normal range for Rhodiola is not MA, so maybe I'm wrong. Thanks, Carol Knox

  
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• Question

  This plant has self-sown on the southwest side of my house in South Berwick, Maine, on the edge of neighbor's driveway.

  
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• Question

  Is this Senna obtusifolia? It’s growing in my West Roxbury backyard. i’ve never seen it here before. Thank you!

  
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• Question

  There is a very small flower growing at the edge of our sidewalk in Kelowna BC. Google search says its likely stork's-bill. Any idea what the small pattern that appears on 2 of every 5 petals- Its advantage or use?

  
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• Question

  These images are from a tree I bought about 10-15 years ago from NPT labeled as Red Mulberry. I have read the description on GoBotany about how to differentiate from white mulberry but cannot see the expected stiff, flattened hairs on the leaf blades or anything that seems "scabrous." Elsewhere when I have looked at pictures of red mulberry I sometimes see very elaborately shaped leaves with deep lobes and there is nothing like that on my tree. Maybe actually a white mulberry or a hybrid?

  
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• Question

  I found a few of these unusually colored (and shaped) leaves growing on a bog rosemary shrub (Andromeda polifolia) along Big Brook on Big Lake, Washington county, ME on June 26, 2025. I thought it might be some kind of hemiparasite, but am coming up emptyhanded. Toadflax has come up, but the leaves on my sample are distinctly pink only. The flowers/fruits that I see appear to belong to the bog rosemary Any direction you can point me in would be greatly appreciated, Debbie.

  
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• Question

  I just posted a series of pictures of my purple milkweed. I am fortunate to have at least 3 healthy, large seed pods in development. My questions for you are these: 1. When should I separate the seedpod from the host plant? 2. When should I remove the individual seeds from each seed pod? 3. Once removed, separated and dried, what is the best technique to overwinter the seeds limiting mold risk but not having them dry out completely. Appreciate any and all advice. Gary

  
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• Question

  I’m trying to id this orchid. I found it on our property in Cabot, Vermont. The area is moist and fairly well shaded. There are eleven plants in total. I have uploaded images of the base of the plant, as well as the flower stem. Quality may not be the best, as I used my phone camera. Many thanks for your help. Ruth Dirlam

  
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• Question

  Sedum growing by patio in a planting of Catmint (it was not planted, just arrived by itself), might it be Sedum album?: alternate leaves, 5 part white flowers (did see a few 6 pt), 10 stamens (dark anthers), I think 5 ovaries. Low growth covers the soil and flower clusters are growing on erect stalks. An attractive interesting plant: I've let it grow and flower. With hand lens I think I see fine hairs on stalk of inflorescence. I haven't used microscope. Carol Knox -Falmouth, MA

  
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• Question

  I believe this to be straw foxglove! It is growing on the edge of a shaded, moist wooded area alongside the road in Dutchess County in NY. The map on this site doesn’t show it in NY yet, so I’m wondering if it is uncommon here? I’ve never seen this before!

  
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• Question

  Hi Ace Botanists! Earlier this year you helped me identify that my Garden In the Woods-purchased Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower) was nowhere to be seen under a patch of invasive Campanula rapunculoides (Creeping bellflower). I pitchforked out the bellflower tubers and have been plucking single and alternate leaves as I see them. You have helped me save this patch! Are these little ones likely rhizomatous remnants from the same individual I planted last year, or did it self-seed?

  
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• Question

  South Bend, Indiana. Off Ironwood Drive, just north of Douglas. How prolific is this plant in the area?

  
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• Question

  Hello, Picture This repeatedly identified this plant as Silky Dogwood. Before I post it as a sighting, I wanted to check with an expert. It was in my yard in Woodbridge, CT, at the edge of our wooded lot. The soil is clay and in that area, varies between moist and wet.They are appearing in some spots where we have been euthanizing multiflora rose. Their companions: spice bush, sensitive fern, goldenrod, winterberry, jumpseed, & arrowwood viburnum. None were blooming. Thank you!

  
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• Question

  Hello! I was gardening the other day when I saw this plant (VT Mettowee Valley). I had seen them the previous year as well, but everything grew up before I could see them flower. They were found in a wild upper floodplain meadow dominated by goldenrod, Carex sedge, Joe Pye weed, sensitive fern, hedge bindweed, angelica, and goutweed. My mind went to the guess that they are some kind of orchid. Or perhaps Lily of the Valley? Thank you!

  
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• Question

  I thought this was a Senna, but it's woody, and the flowers are not yellow. Something invasive?

  
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• Question

  Pictured is a low-growing heath family plant (planted about 15 years ago, and not something I have seen in the wild around here). I *think* it is a Gaylussacia/huckleberry but doesn't seem to match any of the three listed in GoBotany. It has never bloomed.

  
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• Question

  Hello ! I have a question in general about plant's germination and energy source of plants. The question is that " is any energy source is required for plant germination in initial ? And why the seeds are germinating faster compare to normal still water ?"

  
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• Question

  Hi. I am trying to identify a few native grasses at the Medfield Charles River State Reservation. Can you confirm the grass with purple seeds is Purple Top (Tridens Flavus)? I am also trying to identify the tan wheat-like grass growing with it. Are you able to identify what that grass is? Thank you!

  
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• Question

  May i ask what trees is this ? From Philippines

  
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• Question

  Mystery plant along path in Concord MA, low area beside Sudbury River. Can you tell what it is?

  
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• Question

  According to all the web sites, Helesia Carolina is not found in Maine. I beg to differ. I live in Greenbush Maine and this sure looks like that plant. Could it be?

  
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• Question

  I and others have some confusion regarding the native presence of tradescantia in New England. In brief BONAP indicates a scattered presence of both ohiensis and virginiana, ( actually more than scattered depending which species) in contrast to GoBotany The Flora indicates a very limited presence of ohiensis confined to MA and CT, but the maps on the same GoBotany species page picture its complete absence from New England. And no virginiensis. Could you clarify? thank you lawrence

  
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• Question

  Bluntseed sweetroot?

  
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• Question

  I saw this volunteer along a neighbor’s fence. I wondered if it was a native plant, but it’s not.

  
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• Question

  Found in Hollis NH

  
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• Question

  What is this? It looks similar to spicebush but the bark is different and it doesn’t smell. Found in Hollis NH

  
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• Question

  Hello again Ace Botanist Sir... Sent some photos of a native rose yesterday for identification. Have been looking at the desrctpitions for clues but still condfounded so here are some addtional pictures with greater detail that might help if more detail is required... The excessive pricklyness of the stems is leaning me towards Rosa acicularis — bristly rose Cheers

  
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• Question

  What is this please

  
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• Question

  Hi! I have a spot that I have been visiting for several years. (Central VT by the white river) There was the largest jack in the pulpit ever. Its leaves were bigger than my hands. It made berries the past two years . This year- no sight of it! I was devastated. There are tiny ones but I guess I want to know if it was just old and died? What happens to old plants? Do they get smaller? Do they disappear? I’d expect to see some leaves of a comparable size by now since many are blooming.

  
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• Question

  Viburnum in full bloom 5-14-2025 in woods adjacent to Flume Pond along Buzzards Bay in Falmouth, MA. Long silky hairs along veins on back of leaves. Keys to V. dentatum or rafinesquianum but not clearly to one or the other. Surface of flower (around ovary under scope) shows no cilia. Other Viburnums here right now are only in early flower bud - a week at least away from flowering (like the Dentatum with round leaves).

  
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• Question

  Re: Viola striata. Yes, teeny, tiny hairs on the margins of the sepals. Thanks!

  
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• Question

  Established backyard area of Japanese Angelica? Very large colony including saplings, sprouts, and mature tree. Previous homeowner had the area cut down and herbicide applied but sprouts are still coming up from the stumps. Also, encroaching on the perimeter of the house. Need help identifying and removing! VERY aggressive sprouting. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Kathy Easton, Ma Bristol County

  
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• Question

  Hello Mr. Botanist, Is this Viola blanda? See pictures. Thanks, JuliaB

  
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• Question

  hello, I just want to know what your default nomenclature for Viola pallens is. It’s obvious from the gobotany page. -however I’ve heard its really macloskeyi ssp. pallens, ( listed as synonym on your page) and now Viola minuscula for most of the country except western regions. Any thoughts? thank you

  
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• Question

  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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• Question

  what plants are low maintenance for planters with full sun

  
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• Question

  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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• Question

  Can Hippeastrum change/turn into Crinium Americanus one year and then turn back to the Eastern the next year

  
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• Question

  Why is Martynia annua excluded from the Proboscidea genus?

  
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• Question

  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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• Question

  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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• Question

  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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• Question

  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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• Question

  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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• Question

  This is a violet growing in the low, wet corner of my yard. Photos taken on May 14, 2024. I thought I had photos of the capsules later on in the year, but I can't find them sadly. I believe it is Viola affinis and I used the Flora Novae Angliae key (which I just bought :-) ) Some features that match up are: leaves narrow-ovate, uniform teeth along margin, sepals lanceolate, peduncles glabrous, and of course its habitat.

  
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• Question

  hello. nashville, tn. i received a bromeliaceae plant for valentine's day. today 3/3 she is looking ill. not as vibrant as before. it also has some discoloration spotting that wasn't there when i first got it. i've let water sit in the center cup for 2days and noticed it wasn't draining so i took some water out. it now has white fuzzys mold like. please help save her.

  
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  I am hoping for some input on 2 shrubs I encountered on the shores of a salt pond on Martha's Vineyard. They were both about 12' high and very full. Pics 53 and 56 are one shrub, and 54 and 55 are the other. Is this enough information, and is there a standard format I should follow when submitting a request? Thank you very much for any inout you can provide!

  
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• Question

  My name is Anas, and I live in Somalia. I found this tree in 2019, and I only have its seeds. The tree has been cut down, and I don’t know its name, I only have its seeds.

  
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• Question

  What is the name of this plant

  
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