Trail Finds

 

 

 

A couple of finds along the trail.  

Thistle

 

 

Such an an endlessly fascinating plant, whether it's in full bloom or, as in this instance, not.

Pumpkin

Escape pumpkin growing where sheep and oxen normally graze.

Trail Scenes

Spent the better part of a day walking the Forest Park trails in Springfield, Massachusetts. Curious about the name given to the Virginia Creeper (shown below), I looked it up. Wikipedia says, "The name Virginia creeper, referring to both the plant's 'virgin' epithet and to part of its native range in the U.S. state of Virginia, is also used for the whole genus Parthenocissus, as well as for other species within the genus."

 

Common Milkweed

 

Nothing "common" about it as far as I'm concerned. A pretty remarkable plant, all things considered. Especially important to Monarch butterflies, I've read.

Symbiosis

What would old wooden fences and climbing vines be without each other? They're like butter and toast, tea and cream, or, if you will, pancakes and maple syrup. Delicious!

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Hydrangea

A surprising discovery this morning! The genus, hydrangea, was "first described from Virginia in North America," according to this article in Wikipedia. I doubt that I'll ever look at these blooms the same way again. :-)

Giant Cane

Unless I am mistaken, and I may be, this is an example of Giant Cane. If so, then this is pretty cool, since, according to Wikipedia, canebreaks like this are considered endangered ecosystems. What's more, it's located along the edge of a conservation easement very near my home.  

New Growth

Nearing the Summit

Decidedly rockier near the summit.

With various kinds of vegetation trying to hang on in what can be, I think, a pretty harsh environment.

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Variety

 

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

Leverett Trail

Leverett Trail

Milkweed

No, this isn't why people hike the Leverett Triail, at least not the principle reason. This is just -- I think -- Common Milkweed, of which there is an abundance along that part of the trail that empties out onto what remains of the Teawaddle Hill Farm. As is true of the milkweed growing at York River State Park near my home, it's a dining favorite of the Monarch butterfly, among other species.

Paperplant

The Julian Shrine, Norwich

Ferns

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

Surprising how plants like these, arranged and layered so carefully, can make you feel cooler even on what was otherwise a terribly hot and humid afternoon.

Lines

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

I was fascinated--mesmerized, really--by the patterns here at the entrance to the Frelinghuysen's summer home.

Wall Fountain

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

One of my favorites spots in any garden that has one.

New Growth

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Morristown, New Jersey

Vertical

Smith College Botanic Garden

Northampton, Massachusetts