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"
Bear Corn, Conopholis americana By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member In Michigan, if you are hiking through in a deep shady oak or beech forest, you may stumble across a strange growth poking its creepy “fingers” out from around tree roots. Upon closer look, you will find thick fleshy spikes with no leaves, but with brown scales, […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Bear Corn"
Natives to Know: Hoptree, Ptelea trifoliata By Joyce Tuharsky, Wild Ones member Hoptrees are fairly common, small understory trees or shrubs, that are native to the eastern U.S and southern Canada, including Michigan. The trunks are slender and crooked; the branches are interwoven. Hoptrees can grow up to 25 feet tall, with a broad, rounded 15–20-foot […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Hoptree"
By Linda Gary, Wild Ones River City President Several Wild Ones members had a chance to share their knowledge and excitement about native plants and biodiversity with 3 classes of 2nd graders at CA Frost Environmental Science Academy in March. Amy Paul, E-Lab Teacher at CA Frost coordinated the visit. Students learned why native plants […] Continue reading "Wild Ones Visit CA Frost Environmental Science Academy"
NOTES FROM PUERTO RICO By Joyce Tuharsky, Wild Ones member I recently returned from a trip to Puerto Rico! In addition, to learning about the people and culture of the island, I delighted in discovering its unique tropical plants. Everywhere I turned were “new-to-me” plants: huge, lush leaves with unusual shapes and veining; intricate, lacy […] Continue reading "Notes from Puerto Rico"