Trailing Arbutus, Epigaea repens By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Trailing arbutus is a short spreading shrub, almost like ground cover, in the Ericaeae (heath) family—a group that also includes cranberries and blueberries. This plant grows 4–6 inches high, up to 20 inches long, and has woody stems and twigs that are covered in stiff rust-colored […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Trailing Arbutus"
NATIVES TO KNOW Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Although the term “wintergreen” applies to any plant that remains green throughout the year, the “Wintergreen plant” is a title that refers to the genus Gaultheria and is notable as the original source of the wintergreen oil used in flavoring candies, chewing gum, and […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Wintergreen"
NATIVES TO KNOWShagbark Hickory, Carya ovata By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member I once had a neighbor who thought she should remove a tree that looked sickly, because the bark appeared to be falling off in strips. I said I thought that the tree was a Shagbark hickory and looked very healthy. I was correct, the tree […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Shagbark Hickory"
American Searocket, Cakile endentula Compiled by Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member After several years of high water levels on the Great Lakes, water levels have fallen recently, exposing wide sandy beaches in many areas. These barren beaches are prime places for pioneer plant species to take root—one of which is the American searocket. A member of […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: American Searocket"
NATIVES TO KNOWIndian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans is a showy native perennial that grows 3–7 feet tall and is noted for its upright form and broad blue-green foliage. Its alternate blades grow to 2′ long and 1⁄2″ across, are flat and hairless, yet rough in texture, and […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Indian Grass"