The Plants Around Us

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Wild Violet / Viola spp

White Violet, Viola canadensis

Don't freak out but I think we were diceived. Violets aren't necessarily blue. (Just wait till we get to roses!)

Using chemical warfare, lawn owners have been battling violets, which can be tricky to eliminate. Once warm weather arrives, their leaves develop a thick waxy coating. Herbicides that normally need to enter through green tissue are repelled. Even if not killing the intended "weed", other factors can be disturbed from the harsh chemicals.

Sweet Violet, Viola odorata

One of the greatest things you can do to make your yard more ecological friendly is to reduce lawn size. Make the flower beds larger or establish new beds. Happily ending the concept of a mowed grass monoculture can also benefit nature.

Downy Yellow Violet, Viola pubescens

As milkweed is the food source for caterpillars of monarch butterflies, violets are sole food for the young of several fritillary butterflies. Bees also depend on violets. While many bees can utilize the flower, one specifically, the violet miner is specialized just for this flower.

"Freckles" Common Violet, Viola sororia "Freckles"

The flowers of violets are edible. King Louis XIV, the French "Sun God", dined on delicacies made by the finest chefs; nevertheless, his favorite food was a salad made with violet flowers. By foraging your lawn, you too can eat like a king!

(Of course, never eat from an area that was chemically treated.)

Birdfoot Violet, Viola pedata

They can grow in sun or shade. They're not picky about soil type. Though drought tolerant, they prefer moist areas. It can make a durable ground cover.

I think it's time we reassess the reputation of wild violets and accept them as benefactors of delightfully cheery color.

Regal Fritillary Butterfly, one of many butterfly species dependent on violets.

Violet Miner Bee, Andrena violae, depends on violets.

 

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Ghost Pipe

Without fungi, the plant kingdom would be radically different. Being so intimately dependent upon fungi, plants might not even exist.

Normally plant roots enter a mutually beneficial relationship with soil fungi (called mycelium). They peacefully exchange resources for the betterment of both.

Ghost pipe seedling tap into the mycelium network between fungi and trees. Mutualism isn't their goal, as this is a parasite.

Ghost pipe has no chlorophyll. It's incapable of producing food like most other plants. All it's vital nutrient comes from the fungi, while it offers nothing in return. Without chlorophyll they are white and partially translucent, though some may have a pink hue.

While hiking through woods during the summer, look for this bizarre wildflower. Only the ephemeral flowers will peek above the soil. Otherwise the plant remains subterranean.

Don't disturb it. Regardless of the tender care given, severing off the fungus is fatal.

According to Cherokee legend, the Great Spirit created ghost pipes as punishment to a group of chiefs. When the chiefs smoked peace pipes without intention to promote tranquility, they were transformed. The plant, therefore, symbolizes the need to resolve conflict before making peace.

Sweet pinesap is a similar species with the same parasitic nature. These are darker and have multiple flowers per stalk, while ghost pipes will only have one.

Keeping habitats viable preserves a rich community of life, which you can discover simply by taking a peaceful walk.

 

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Mistletoe

Long before the advent of Christmas, mistletoe has been associated with winter festivals. The traditional of smooching beneath it may stem back to Norse mythology. Frigga, the goddess of love, in retribution of the loss of her son (who died from a spear made from mistletoe), decreed that anyone standing under this plant should receive a kiss. Perhaps this was influenced by the winter holiday Saturnalia, for in ancient Greece and Rome mistletoe was used as a symbol of fertility and peace.

In Victorian times, refusing such a kiss was considered bad luck. It was used to taunt implications that the woman wouldn't receive marriage proposals, misogynistically teasing girls of becoming future old maids. (Alas, we really haven't changed that much.)

Mistletoe is a parasite, feeding from various tree species. Seeds that germinate on the bark can grow into the tree. Getting the seed on the bark requires some avian assistance. Birds like the berries, which are sticky both going in and, more importantly, going out. In a rather intimate moment between bird, branch, and berry, the backside gets rubbed clean on a branch lodging seeds in the bark. If that was a suitable tree, mistletoe roots will quickly pry into the bark.

Yes, wherever a mistletoe grows is where a bird probably cleaned its butt. (I wonder if Frigga knew that.) Some mistletoe have exploding berries, capable of catapulting seeds 50 miles per hour toward a nearby tree.

All parts of these plants are poisonous to humans. Due to this toxicity, it's standard for displays to have artificial berries, as children and pets might try consuming fallen berries.

How do birds consume the berries? The bulk of the toxin surrounds the seeds. Birds eat them so quickly the toxin doesn't get digested. It's seriously fast. After just four minutes from swallowing, they're looking for that branch.

While some types are generalists, capable utilizing a few different trees species. Some are species specific, capable of only surviving on one tree species.

Having chlorophyll, it's still green and capable of photosynthesis. The clan of dwarf mistletoes have considerably less chlorophyll. Perhaps they are on the evolutionary journey of losing photosynthesis completely, becoming white masses. In such a circumstance, even the leaves and branches might not be necessary. Only time will tell.

It's obviously easier to spot these when trees are leafless; therefore, when hiking through the forest in winter, look up, maybe you'll see one. Whether you stand under it is up to you.

 

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Dawn Redwood
Metasequoia glyptostroboides

View attachment 152198901Redwoods are ancient! Two hundred million year old fossils are testiment they survived many changes, including ice ages and the cataclysmic meteor impact which caused globally felt extinctions.

There are currently three species, all closely related. Two are native to US west coast and commonly called sequoias. The third, the dawn redwood, was considered extinct until 1941when it was discovered in China.

Unlike sequoias, dawn redwood is deciduous with the soft fern-like needles turning a rich rusty color before falling.

They all can be tall. Sequoias are, of course, the tallest trees in the world. Dawn redwood, though tall, isn't that monumental -at least not yet. The tallest is approximately 160 feet; however, shorter cultivars are available.

They grow straight upward with the trunk base powerfully buttressed. That wide trunk and deep roots make them tolerant of strong winds.

Miss Grace has pendulous branches and stays small.

Gold Rush has yellowish needles and is about half the size of wild specimens.

Dawn redwoods grow quickly and are tolerant of various conditions. They do best with moist soil in full sun.

See if you can find one growing in a local park. If you have sufficient room, they can add a unique primordial feel to the garden. Mine was just a tiny seedling a few years ago; it's now dwarfing other trees. It's part of my "living fossil" forest.... if only I could find a triceratops!

 

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Bayberry / Myrica

When it comes to native species, underutilization is a common theme.

Being semi-evergreen, it holds on to the foliage till harsh weather arrives in midwinter. In a mild climate it can stay green throughout the year.

The foliage (and berries) has a pleasant fragrance. It became folklore in colonial America to light bayberry candles on Christmas Eve to bring wealth and good luck for the new year. (I might need to try this!)

It's not picking about growing conditions, able to live in both wet or dry conditions. Like many legumes, bayberries are nitrogen-fixing; therefore, they often don't require fertilizing.

Since sexes are on separate plant, both a male and female plants need to present for berries to be produced. If cross-pollination is possible, a lot of berries can be made. These berries have a special ecological importance.

When it comes to bird watching, warblers hold special charm to enthusiast, for they are often difficult to locate and hard to differentiate. With populations dwindling the task is getting ever more challenging. When autumn arrives, warblers flee to the tropics, except for one. The yellow-rumped warbler stays further north, surviving largely on berries.

Yellow-rumped warbler

While other berries are consumed, it depends on bayberry. Unlike most other animals, it's fully capable of digesting the waxing fruit.

Helping this little bird endure winters should be valuable enough. If not, it's even the host plant for yet another butterfly.

When we plant natives we enrich the whole ecosystem!

 

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Smooth Hydrangea / Hydrangea arborescens

"Annabelle"

Smooth hydrangeas, sometimes referred to as snowball bushes, are hardy shrubs native to parts of eastern US, where it benefits wildlife. The flowers, particularly lace capped, attracts bees and butterflies. It's even host to a sphinx moth!

"Garnetta"

Many varieties have incredibly large flower clusters. These large masses of blooms can weigh stems down, especially when wet. Look for varieties with thicker, more durable branches.

Fully capable of blooming on new wood, pruning is less problematic; however, newer stems emerged from pruning are likely to be thinner and more apt to bend from heavy blooms. If pruning, cut minimally and reserved to early spring. (Keeping spent flowers through the winter provides seeds for foraging birds.)

"Haas' Halo"

While rabbits typically refrain from nibbling smooth hydrangeas, remember that deer have a culinary fondness for all hydrangeas.

Like many natives, it's not picky about soil type or location. If planted in the sun, just remember it will probably need more watering.

Typically, they stay under five feet and bloom all summer. What more could you ask for?

 

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Snakeroot / Ageratina spp

White Snakeroot, Ageratina altissima

Gardeners trying to plant natives often feel severely limited when filling in shady areas. Generally, such places are planted in hostas and astilbes. Snakeroot, though not always easy to find, is an option worthy of consideration.

Its name originated from an erroneous belief the root could be used to treat snake bites. There's a slight problem with erroneous beliefs. They don't work.

A better use is for adding flowers to the garden.

It grows best in shade or partial sun, getting about three feet in height. Soil should be completely dry, as it prefers slightly moist conditions.

Using rhizomes, it can spread underground, forming colonies. It's good at disbursing seeds.

It starts blooming in late summer, continuing till very late in fall -often passed the first hard frost. The flowers are welcomed by many pollinators and the plant is host to several species.

Snakeroot is toxic. In 1833 Abraham Lincoln's mother died from milk sickness, which is a type of poisoning when milk is consumed from a cow that has grazed on snakeroot. At the time, Abe was only nine years old. (It's amazing he was spared.)

It's a good plant - just keep it away from your cow.

 

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Ligularia

"Bottle Rocket"

Though native to Asia, another option for moist shady areas is ligularia. The large (often dark) leaves creates an interesting texture with a look that seems rather tropical. Not many shade tolerant plants have dark leaves.

"Britt-Marie Crawford"

The bright yellow (or golden) flowers, produced in clusters or spikes, attracts bees and butterflies. The various species have different bloom times. Some beginning in June. Others wait till late summer. Staggering types can extend the bloom time in the garden.

"Pandora"

Ligularia is normally resistant to foraging feet and rabbits. Watch out for snails and slugs though.

Keeping them moist is the key to success.

 

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Cranberry / Vaccinium macrocarpon

Few (if any) plants symbolize Thanksgiving more thy cranberry.

This is a low-growing shrub native to northeastern US and Canada.

Though they don't like dry soil, you don't have to flood them, as commercial growers do. When the fruit is ripe, flooding the fields helps with harvesting, since the berries float and the shrubs are short. (If the flood water was obtained from ponds or ground water, the practice is likely not environmental sound.)

Wildlife will enjoy feasting and won't mind picking. As you know, they'll help themselves. Draping plants with netting can help deter critters.

The flowers, though not terribly showy, attract bees. Cranberry flowers are not self-pollinating. If a bee doesn't visit the flower, fruit won't develop.

Blueberries and cranberries are closely related. They're even in the genus. Normally, hybrids won't occur if growing them together in the garden. However, botanists have recently produced a viable cross between an Andean species of blueberry with an American cranberry. (In the future, cranberry relish just might be turning blue!)

Caring for cranberry shrubs is pretty much identical to that for blueberries. Keep the well-draining, acidic soil somewhat moist and plant in a sunny location.

Planting berry bushes is one sure way to make wildlife thankful.

 

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Cranberry Viburnum / Viburnum trilobum

This isn't the cranberry we are familiar with during our Thanksgiving dining. This native shrub is a different edible red berry that is sour and tart. It's not good raw but is great in jelliy and relishes.

In late spring, attractive flowers bloom which resemble lacecap hydrangeas. The foliage tends to stay dark green and lush throughout the summer. In autumn (while the foliage turns maroon) the bright red berries become highly visible and stay showy through much of winter. Foliage turns maroon before falling.

Though the flowers are readily pollinated by bees, canberry viburnum is not self-fertile. To get berries at least two plants needs to be available.

Unlike "true" cranberry bushes that stay quite small, viburnums can get rather tall, sometimes to twelve feet. Because of this height, they are sometimes called highbush cranberries.

They prefer soil that isn't dry. They can grow fine in partial shade; however, only full berry production occurs with full sun.

Viburnum opulus, native in Europe, is a similar species. (It some areas it's considered invasive.) To distinguish them apart, look at the leaf glands. If the glands are shorter than wide and concave, it's European. American bushes have glands that are taller than wide and convex. (Some consider these both variations of the same species.)

Wait, they have leaf glands? When the plant is being attacked by harmful insects, it attracts beneficial insect predators to stop the threat. It's like calling 911. The glands reward these heros with nectar released from the glands.

I wish my glands would beckon sexy firefighters!