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.
Common Milkweed Seeds
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.
Gray Dogwood in Autumn
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa). Gray Dogwood drupes providing sustenance to many birds and mammals as autumn thinks of becoming winter, leaving what resembles tiny red trees for snow to fall upon.
Its leaves provide a unique color palette of plum red and yellow chartreuse in an opposite arrangement as they succumb to diminishing daylight and cooler temperatures. Autumn at its finest.
Witch Hazel in November
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). As a last *HOORAH* for the floral world. Witch Hazels are blooming on my mountain right now. Though there are a few at my elevation, they are much more common higher up the mountain.
The flowers of Witch Hazel, looking like lemon zest. Not showy or spectacular but still beautiful in their own way. Complete with a subtle spice scent. Nice to have some flowers blooming now, along with all the brilliant autumn leaves doing their thing.