A walk in the woods with The Little One. Learning what is safe to eat. Learning what is not safe at all. In her hands, Blackhaw drupes and Persimmons. Safe.
Learning About Nature
Chestnut Oak Leaves
Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus) leaves have undulating edges. Their leaves are alternate.
Leaf shape is obovate, or egg-shaped and flat with the narrow end at the base. They’re quite the common sight up here in my woods.
Common Milkweed Seeds
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Fluffy white parachutes waiting for the slightest breeze to take seeds away to the perfect spot to burst forth. To provide sustenance. To give a magic protection for moths and butterflies.
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.
A Stop on the Way
A favorite place to stop on the way to yoga. A favorite place to pull out my camera and get a picture.
Smooth Sumac Revisited
Nothing better than Smooth Sumac doing its thing in autumn. I, along with many birds, love it!
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). A few of my White-throated Sparrows have arrived at my feeders. By the time winter has truly arrived there will be many more. There are two color morphs in the White-throated Sparrow, white striped and tan striped. The stripes mentioned are on the top of the head. This one is a white striped morph. Looking forward to winter, and seeing more of my winter birds.
Japanese Honeysuckle Berries
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), the Honeysuckle that many of us know from childhood with the luscious drop of nectar that we’d catch on our tongue. Mmmm. And surprise, that Honeysuckle gets berries. Berries that are poisonous to us humans. The nectar is safe but not the berries.
White Oak Leaves
The leaves of White Oak (Quercus alba) are alternate leaves, alternating along their stems. They have rounded lobes, often 7 to 10 per leaf, which makes them pretty easy to identify. The leaf length is anywhere from 4 to 9 inches long, with a width of 2 to 4 inches. Right now, as autumn ambles along I’m seeing charming leaves of burnt sienna.
American Chestnut in Autumn Color
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). Classic ocean wave edge of the American Chestnut leaf showing off in its autumn color. A short hike up the mountain and I’m able to find these beauties. Who would have guessed.