20 Observations

Shagbark Hickory, 10/14:

• jagged, gray bark that easy can be broken off

• rounded sided/pointed ended leaves
  -was introduced in 1629 to America
  http://www.uky.edu/hort/Shagbark-Hickory

Owlet Moth Caterpillar, 10/24 :
-yellow stripes down side
-account for over 25% of butterflies and moths
-very calm and still
-found when it was getting very chilly outside
https://www.thoughtco.com/owlet-moths-family-noctuidae-1968198

Common Jewelweed, 9/12:
-Orange flowers
-Fragile stems
-Branched out rather than up
-Attracts red-throated hummingbird and long-tongued bees
http://illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/or_jewelweed.htm

Asteroid Moth, 9/19:
-Classmate found the larva on a leaf in HCC greenspace
-Green with yellow/blue stripes
-Stillness/calmness
-Asteroid moth larva
-Rare to see yellow on caterpillars
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/15029132

Jerusalem Artichoke, 9/19:
-Yellow-colored
-Petals amiss
-Tall stem
-Hairy stem
-"The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily bees, including bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Triepeolus spp.), digger bees (Melissodes spp.), leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.), Halictid bees, and Andrenid bees."
http://illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ja_sunflowerx.htm

Japanese Hops, 9/26:
-Leaves are opposite sides along the vine
-Competitive and smothers out native vegetation, can grow up to 35 feet long
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_010262.pdf

Bur Oak, 10/3:
-Forrest Park
-Dropped acorns
-Unique leaf shape
-Healthy state
-Northern-/western-most oak species
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=874

Grizzly Spur-Throat Grasshopper, 10/3:
-Found on classmate's backpack in Forrest Park
-Calm attitude
-Flew quickly
-Quiet
-Contributes to the damage they inflict on crops
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Spur-Throated-Grasshopper

Stinkhorns, 10/3:
-Found at Forrest Park
-Significant red color with brown spores at the top of the fungus
-Hunched over
-"They grow in damp wood mulch, emerging from a whitish, semi-solid “egg”. Once they take on their final shape, their spore sacs emit a green slime that attracts flies and beetles to the area. The insects feed on the mushroom and carry the spores wherever they land."
http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/stinkhorn-mushroom-identification-and-control/

Banded Garden Spider, 9/5:
-Yellow bands on spider's body and legs
-Very relaxed and calm; chilling on web
-Found in Normal
-"The Banded Garden Spider may be a natural compass as well as a pest-controller, giving people two reasons to keep them around in the garden."
https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Banded-Garden-Spider

Goldenrods, 9/12:
-Found in HCC Greenspace
-Beautiful, yellow flowers
-Edible
-Long, wood-like stems
https://www.ediblewildfood.com/goldenrod.aspx

American Pokeweed, 9/19:
-Dark blue berries; green if not ripe
-Berries come in bunches
-Pink stems
-"...usually 1.8 meter to 3.0 meters (about 6 to 10 feet) tall, but may in some instances reach 21 feet tall."
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/phytolacca_americana.shtml

Carolina Horse-Nettle, 9/19:
-Not an actual Nettle
-Coarse leaves
-Has distinct, earthy smell to leaves when rubbed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_carolinense

Common Evening Primrose, 9/19:
-Wildflower
-Pretty yellow flowers, 4-petaled
-Lemon scented
-Biennial
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OEBI

Dragonfly Larva, 9/19:
-Found in stream during class
-Panicky; moved frequently trying to get away in pan
-6 long legs
-Oval body
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/dragonfly-larvae

Silver-Spotted Skipper, 9/19:
-Butterfly family
-Adults perch on leaves upside down at night and on hot or cloudy days
-Brown wings
-Let me get significantly close when taking picture; relaxed
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Epargyreus-clarus

Hairy White Oldfield Aster, 9/19:
-Also called Frost Aster
-Thin, white petals surrounding yellow center of flowers
-Stout
-Leafy; leaves are stiff and narrow
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYPIP3

Smooth Sumac, 10/17:
-Short, crooked, leaning trunks
-13-30 sharp toothed leaflets on each side of the midrib
-Found on East Rd.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=rhgl

Common Pawpaw, 10/17:
-Deer avoid plant entirely
-Mainly tropical plant family
-Maximum height of 15 meters
https://www.nps.gov/articles/pawpaw.htm

Common Hackberry, 10/17:
-Referred to as "one tough tree"
-Thrive on large spectrum of temperatures
-Shade tree
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=845

Posted on December 12, 2018 05:30 PM by arcticbabu