|
Trees Along the Crest of the Niagara
River Gorge from Devil's Hole to DeVeaux (Whirlpool)
Steps in New York State: P. M. Eckel |
|
Trees Along the Crest of the Niagara
River Gorge from Devil's Hole to DeVeaux (Whirlpool)
Steps in New York State: by P. M. Eckel
Arrow-leaved Aster (Aster
sagittifolius) is named after the shape of the leaves. This
white-flowered species is abundant throughout the Niagara gorge and crest,
and is one of a number of species of Aster along the gorge with leaves both
petiolate (stalked) and with the blade heart-shaped at the base (i.e.
cordate).
The sagittate leaf-shape.
In the shade and as the flowers
begin to mature, the flowers in the center may turn somewhat purplish or
blue. Other Asters with sagittate or cordate leaves in the gorge have blue
flowers. The eastern United States is distinguished as being a center for
diversity within the genus Aster, that is, it is home to the greatest number
of species of Aster as the genus is currently understood. In the fall,
specifically in October and late September, the Aster flora dominates unmown
fields and meadows with their striking white and purple flowers. Unlike most
"wildflowers" planted along highways which are really introduced
species, these beauties are native and the true wildflowers of our region.
New York State is the proud homeland of these plants, many of which cannot be
seen along the interstate highway system until entering the southern and
western border of the State.
The Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago
flexicaulis), distinctive in its broad, serrate (toothed) leaves and stem
that flexes back and forth in a zig-zag pattern, is the most typical of the
flower of the talus slopes in the gorge and along its crest. Its leaves and
stem can be seen earlier in the year, but they flower with the other species
in the genus Solidago a month before the Asters are fully in flower,
in September they color the same habitats as Asters in meadows and unmown
roadsides, only with golden yellow, rather than white and purple. The
Goldenrods are distinct from the Asters by their yellow flowers and earlier
flowering season. Americans and Canadians can be pleased that North America
alone is the center of diversity for the genus Solidago, the greatest
number of species, as in the genus Aster, occurring in the eastern United
States. New York State and the Niagara River and its highways and roadsides
are truly delightful in autumn, its herbaceous flora contributing much to the
intense color of the season as the changing color of the foliage of the
trees.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus
vitacea) is in the Grape Family (Vitaceae) and its fruits, round and
purple, resemble those of Grape Vines - in State and Provincial parks in
Niagara this is the River or Frost Grape (Vitis riparia). Both species
grow together along the crest and can form dense ground cover as they sprawl
on shaded soil under the tree canopy. Both species climb trees and scramble
over fences. After the first touch of frost, the leaves of Virginia Creeper
with their five leaflets, can turn a vivid scarlet color, adding their
splendor to that of the Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), the Dogwoods (Cornus),
Hawthorns (Viburnum) and the three-leafletted Poison Ivy (Rhus
toxicodendron). |
|
|
<script
type="text/javascript">
var
gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ?
"https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript
src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js'
type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script
type="text/javascript">
try
{
var
pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-3783322-4");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
}
catch(err) {}</script>