The frigid disconsolate abyss that is wintertime in Michigan does not make for very compelling floral forays. Most of my winter outdoor activities involve peering at tree buds, admiring mosses, and trying (and failing) to get into birding. The silver lining of enduring a long winter is it makes you appreciate the beauty of spring.Continue reading “Awaiting Skunk Cabbage”
Tag Archives: Botany
Identifying Goldenrods
Fall is in full swing and as the growing season winds to a close, one group of plants is still producing flowers and providing a last meal for pollinators preparing for winter. Many of the plants that bloom in the midwest this time of year belong to the sunflower family, Asteraceae. This plant family isContinue reading “Identifying Goldenrods”
Oak wilt
In August, I went up to my family cabin in northern Michigan. My grandparents built the cabin in the 1960’s and my family has been going up there ever since. The dry sandy soil of the northern upper peninsula of Michigan is home to trees such as bigtooth aspen, Jack pine, balsam fir, white pine,Continue reading “Oak wilt”
Hair- it’s not just for mammals
Trichomes are plant hairs that can occur on any part of the plant including leaves, stems, petals, etc. These hairs can vary greatly in size, shape, abundance. They may be branched, unicellular or multicellular, and may vary with the plants age or environmental conditions. Often trichomes play an important role in defending plants against gettingContinue reading “Hair- it’s not just for mammals”
Best places to look at cool plants in Ohio
Best places to look at cool plants in Ohio I’ve spent the last three years living in Columbus, Ohio and getting outdoors whenever possible to look for cool plants, bugs, salamanders, etc. I recently moved away from Ohio and I have been reflecting on all the cool places I have visited during my time there.Continue reading “Best places to look at cool plants in Ohio”
Ashley Keesling 