Category: Natives to Know

Natives to know: White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia)

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White VervainVerbena urticifolia By Linda Shuster, WORC Board Member-at-Large (2022) White vervain (sometimes called nettle-leaved vervain or white verbena) is a member of the Verbenaceae family. It is found in most central to southern Lower Peninsula counties and in several counties in the Upper Peninsula. White vervain grows in different types of deciduous forests, as […] Continue reading "Natives to know: White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia)"

Natives to Know: American Spikenard

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NATIVES TO KNOW American Spikenard, Aralia racemosa By Linda Shuster, WORC Board Member-at-Large Common names for Aralia racemosa include spikenard, American spikenard, spignet, life-of-man, and Indian root. It belongs to the ginseng (Araliaceae) family. It is, according to the University of Michigan Herbarium, one of the largest herbaceous species in our Michigan flora. American spikenard is […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: American Spikenard"

Natives to Know: Ramps

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NATIVES TO KNOW Ramps, Allium tricoccumBy Linda Shuster, WORC member Allium tricoccum goes by many common names, including ramps, ramp, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, spring onion, and wild garlic. Ramps belong to the onion (Alliaceae) family. It is a native herbaceous perennial that is harvested as food. Ramps are found in nearly all Michigan counties […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Ramps"

Natives to Know: Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)

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NATIVES TO KNOWBowman’s Root, Gillenia trifoliata By Joyce Tuharsky Bowman’s Root features clusters of ethereal, white, five-petaled blossoms that will dance and whirl in the slightest wind. It is one of the loveliest of native perennials yet rarely seen in gardens. Not only is it handsome and hardy, it is also long-lived! A member of […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)"

Natives to Know – Wood Poppy: The Tale of Two Poppies

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Wood Poppy: The Tale of Two Poppies By Joyce Tuharsky Rarely do you find two plants that look so much alike, with similar names, but have such different management concerns. That is the case with two plants commonly known as Celandine. The Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), also known as the Wood Poppy, is one of our showiest native woodland […] Continue reading "Natives to Know – Wood Poppy: The Tale of Two Poppies"