Eastern Purple Coneflower
This Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) makes for a spectacular “ornamental” type of plant for boxes and plots! I put ornamental in quotation marks because it is far more than a decorative object or flashy looking flower. It is a native perennial that is very popular among our pollinators, and adding them to your garden – wherever it may be – will not only give it a lovely look but also a feeding frenzy of insects. On the day I took this photo I saw Black Swallowtails, Spicebush Swallowtails, Orange and Clouded Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, a Viceroy, and...
Read MorePink Wildflower
This is a very tiny and so very vibrant pink wildflower! I am not a botanist and did not know the species was, but I believe it to be Deptford Pink or Grass Pink (Dianthus armeria). The wildflower is native to Europe, and though nonnative in our soil it does well without becoming invasive or dominating any landscape. I feel like we should simply enjoy this summer splash of color! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBluebead Lily (Clintonia borealis)
Wildflowers continue to pop as the warm temperatures and sunshine are becoming more abundant. One pretty little flower that is currently in bloom is Clintonia borealis, more commonly known as Bluebead Lily. This plant gets its name not from the flowers it produces, but instead from the beautiful fruits that become noticeable during mid to late summer. As the summer season progresses the flowers will be replaced by little green fruits, that slowly turn white and then eventually a deep blue, looking almost like porcelain beads. While these fruits may look appealing, they are said to be quite...
Read MoreCollege Lodge BioBlitz July 18-19, 2014
On July 18-19, 2014 experts from across the region will take part in a ‘BioBlitz’ conducted by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History at the SUNY College Lodge Nature Preserve in Brocton. A BioBlitz is a 24-hour race to identify as many species of plants and animals of all kinds on the property and we invite you to join in the fun. Hear from the experts what they are finding or join us for a number of free and public walks and talks about some of the unique and exciting life that can be found on the approximately 200-acre property owned and operated by the Faculty Student...
Read MoreJack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
An increasing variety of wildflowers is slowly blanketing our woods and fields. One of our more striking spring flowers is our Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) – not because of its bright coloration but due to its unique aroid flower shape. Only after I took this picture I noticed the tiny spiders rapidly taking up residence in the leaves of this newly emerged plant. Life’s moving in the fast lane right now!
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