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Natural
Regeneration in an Unnatural World at the UB Campus |
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Natural Regeneration in an Unnatural World P. M. Eckel A gallery. A
stroll in August through a patch of the unmown habitat in the great lawns
bordering on Maple Road on the campus of the State University of New York at
Buffalo would show you the following species, all common and to be found everywhere
in the area, in vacant lots, along fences, around the bases of trees -
everywhere that escapes the blades of the lawn mower.
Bird’s
Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
is particularly abundant in the mown verges beside asphalt roads. It does not
compete well with the other, taller growing species seen below but, like the
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale),
flourishes when cut and would die out if taller vegetation were allowed to
persist for several years.
The
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) can
grow up to the level of your chin. Its leaves and stem are covered with
spines, making it unpleasant to walk through in your summer shorts with legs
exposed.
Curly
Dock (Rumex crispus) is in the
Buckwheat family, one of the earliest species in this assemblage to flower in
the spring. By August it is already dry and brown and ready to drop its seed
load by the end of summer. It is striking to see its stems now in August when
the flowers seem in full bloom with all the autumn species, the energetic flowers
of the Goldenrods of September and the Asters of October, yet to come.
Moth
Mullein (Verbascum blattaria) has
tall spires of lovely white flowers (occasionally with yellow flowers) that,
when fertilized, develop spherical seedheads widely spaced along the
flowering stem. In August this species, too, like the Curly Dock, is ready to
seed itself.
Purple
Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is
well known as a degrader of native habitats of emergent vegetation and of wet
soil, such as those dominated by Cattails. They are frequently planted in
horticultural settings due to their vivid and lurid flowers, just starting to
bloom in August and are then spread to swamps, marshes and stream banks.
Biennial
Wormwood (Artemisia biennis) is
rather unusual in that its flowers are as green as the leaves and stem. In
this picture the flowers are just unfolding.
The species is native in the western United States, but is spreading
eastward to our region as a weed. The common name, Wormwood, is suggestive of
the use of this plant, and other Mugworts, in treating parasites.
Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) resembles other species in the genus Hypericum in their poisonous
properties when eaten. This species in cattle regions, especially in the
western United States, is toxic to livestock, having the peculiar property of
making the animal hypersensitive to light, especially animals with white
skin.
In three or four week’s time,
this tall goldenrod will burst into flower, heralding in the new school year. |
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