VIRGINIA BLUEBELLS, Mertensia virginica By Joyce Tuharsky Nothing signifies the arrival of spring more than the enchanting display of Virginia bluebells gracing a clearing within a moist woodland or along a riverbank. The flowers of this spring ephemeral start out as nodding pink buds that open into pendulant, trumpet-like, lavender-blue blooms–each about one inch long. […] Continue reading "Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)"
Natives to Know: Woolgrass bulrush – Scirpus cyperinus By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Woolgrass bulrush is a large, emergent aquatic plant that grows 6-feet-tall in colonies along lakes, marshes, and streams, and in wet meadows or low woodlands. Native to much of the eastern U.S., it spreads by creeping rhizomes or self-sowing in wet soils, […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Woolgrass bulrush"
WORC October 2023 Program Recap Medicinal Botany: Exploring traditional ecological knowledge and western laboratory science Over sixty people came to Calvin’s Bunker Interpretive Center on October 16 to hear Maisie Wiler, a recent graduate of GVSU and a masters candidate, speak on Medicinal Botany. In her presentation, Maisie talked about the role of plants in our […] Continue reading "WORC October 2023 Program Recap: Medicinal Botany"
WORC September 2023 Program Recap By Linda Gary, WORC President Millennium Park Prairie Tour and Seed Collecting There was a large crowd at Millennium Park for the September program focusing on prairies, seed collection, and winter sowing. Ginny Sines (Kent County Parks Volunteer Services Coordinator), Emily Padyjasek (Kent County Parks Volunteer Services Assistant) shared so […] Continue reading "9/18/23 Program Recap: Millennium Park Prairie Tour and Seed Collecting"
Natives to Know: Michigan Oaks (Quercus, sp.) By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member A mature oak tree is magnificent organism to behold. With their wide impressive canopy and massive, often gnarled branches, oak trees can live for centuries, reaching heights of 160 feet or more. No wonder oaks have been objects of legends dating back to ancient […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Michigan Oaks (Quercus, sp.)"
