Author: Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

More on Hop-hornbeam

A couple days ago I told you about a bit about the bark of Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). When the tree is young its bark is red/brown with horizontal lenticels giving it the appearance of a Cherry Tree. As the tree matures the bark changes to a pale gray/brown and becomes quite shreddy with narrow strips.

The leaves of Hop-hornbeam are alternate, doubly serrated, and have prominent veins. The fruit resembles the fruit of Hops (Humulus lupulus) which are used in beer making, and that gives this small tree the first part of its common name. The tree grows to a height of 25-45′ and has an average life span of 50 to 150 years. As you’re out hiking be watching for it.

Hop-hornbeam Bark

As leaves fall in autumn, so does a key element in identification of trees, lost to the wind. The bark of the tree is another route to take if you want that I.D. This scrappy looking bark belongs to the Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Pay attention as you roam through the woods. What are the barks that you are seeing?

American Beech in Autumn

Oh it is so very nice to be back in autumn again. I spent a few days traveling to Florida and got to experience the change of seasons all over again. I traveled south into summer and green green green. Returning yesterday I got the thrill of seeing the mountains covered in their autumn best. Golds, yellows, reds, oranges and lovely burnt siennas. Colors that tell me snow will be soon arriving. I can hardly wait.

These leaves, putting on a welcome back show for me, are American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). Leaves that are reminiscent of American Chestnut leaves with their ocean wave edges. No wonder. They are in the same family, Fagaceae. Ahh! What color. How nice to be back in autumn.

Horsenettle

Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense). Horsenettle, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). Other members of the Nightshade family that you are familiar with are Tomato, Potato, Eggplant, Bell Pepper, and Petunia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the southeastern United States. It can grow to 2 or 3 feet tall, and is covered with spines.

Though the fruit of Horsenettle looks quite similar to yellow Cherry Tomatoes, don’t be tempted.

THE FRUIT, AS WELL AS LEAVES, ROOTS, AND STEMS OF HORSENETTLE ARE POISONOUS, AND EATING THE FRUIT CAN CAUSE DEATH.