Category: Invasive

Wineberry Sherbet

Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is an invasive plant, native to Japan, Korea and China. This is what it looks like right now with its red prickly stems and leaves that have white undersides. It grows all over up here in the mountains.

Soon there will be luscious berries. Ruby red. Last year many were collected. They’re best eaten right away since they’re very delicate but some were set aside to be made into a syrup and frozen in order to make a delightful treat.

This morning I whipped up some cream, slowly poured some of that syrup in and churned it up in the ice cream freezer. Tonight after dinner we’ll have Wineberry sherbet. Mmmmmm!

Purple Deadnettle Revisited

If you haven’t noticed it yet, take up an image, keep it in mind, watch for it. It’s out there. Even now.

Purple Deadnettle (Hamamelis virginiana) is a member of the mint family. Its square stem is a sure sign of that heritage. It’s an herbaceous plant not native to North America but to Europe and Asia. It is certainly invasive but can easily be pulled thanks to shallow roots.

Being an annual winter weed, Purple Deadnettle quickly takes over farmer’s fields turning them into colorful and, to my eye, beautiful fields. And why the name, Deadnettle? That name is in reference to the resemblance of the leaves to leaves in the Nettle family and their stinging hairs. However Purple Deadnettle leaves do not have stinging hairs. They are safe, or “dead,” and not a problem to touch.

Asia Dayflower

Asia Dayflower (Commelina communis). The wood’s edges now are dotted with flowers of azure. Two pure blue petals and an additional one, inconspicuous white.

A native of Asia. Introduced in the U.S. as an ornamental. With a mind of its own, it has escaped cultivation. Depending on which source one reads it is either weedy or invasive. I love the color. I prefer the word weedy.

Red-spotted Purple

Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis). With a wingspan of three to three and a half inches. Looking quite handsome with its iridescent blue with tiny orange spots on the dorsal (top) side of its wings. At this point I have to mention that this butterfly is on Butterfly Bush. BUT this plant is NOT in any of my gardens. As an invasive it will take over places where native plants could be growing and benefitting our natural world.

It’s the great impersonator. The Red-spotted Purple butterfly mimics the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. And not stopping at that, the larvae quite convincingly mimics bird droppings.

Preferred host plants of the Red-spotted Purple are a wide variety of trees and shrubs including birches, aspens, wild cherries and many species of the willow family. The adults feed on an occasional flower, as well as damp soil and puddles, carrion, dung and rotting fruit. One of those butterflies.