Dogwood Sawfly

This, the larva of a Dogwood Sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus).

I had never seen any of these creatures until we planted Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) along our lane. Most every summer the larvae appears, it seems, out of nowhere, and they begin nibbling away at the leaves.

No huge worry though. Their numbers aren’t enough to do a lot of damage and their presence provides food for insects such as ants and predatory wasps.

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One Of The First

Black Walnut leaves creating a beautiful pattern against the late summer sky.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), one of the first trees to lose its leaves in late summer. Turning yellow and dropping to the ground as rain knocks them from their branches. Also one of the last of the trees to allow their leaves to emerge in spring.

While those leaves are up there I thoroughly enjoy those beautiful patterns against the blue summer sky. But soon I won’t have them showing off for me. This is just a hint of autumn to come.

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A Deciduous Holly

A picnic lunch in Shenandoah National Park and taking in all the beauty.

A pleasant surprise, this tree, 15 feet or more tall, covered with these scarlet berries or drupes.

This is a Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). A deciduous species of Holly (Ilex) that most often is seen as a shrub but this one is a small tree.

The drupes are stunning against the green leaves but in autumn the leaves fall, leaving the bright red drupes alone against the bare branches.

The drupes are low in fat and are not a bird’s first choice, leaving them until later in winter when other sources of food are scarce.

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Plumes To Berries

In May Solomon’s Plume (Maianthemum racemosum) blooms. A cluster of snow white, or off white, star shaped, feathery flowers, on the end of each stem. Now as summer is thinking of closing down, those flowers have become berries. Berries, bright red with stripes or speckles of purple or brown. A few seeds in each berry.

Native to a good bit of the eastern half of North America. Arching stems, holding alternate bright green leaves, which sometimes will grow to 3 feet tall.

Showing up trail side now here on my mountain.

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Mushroom COLOR!

Viscid Violet Cortinarius (Cordtinarius iodes), is a gorgeous mushroom, ranging from white to lavender to violet purple, fading in color with age.

It’s a fungus that pairs up with roots of a plant in a symboitic relationship. In this case the Viscid Violet Cortinarius works along with the roots of Oak trees. This mushroom helps the tree absorb water and nourishment, and the tree passes along sugars and amino acids to the mushroom. Both tree and fungus benefiting from this arrangement.

Living here in the woods has been such an education. Learning that mushrooms come in such lovely colors – what a surprise!

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A Brown Butterfly

A Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), yes brown, but a butterfly not a moth.

The adult Hackberry Emperor feeds on sap, scat, decaying animals, old fruit, and the nectar of Hackberry flowers.

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An Eye-catching Spider

An intriguing spider that creates a zigzag design through the center of its circular web, the Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). Not only intriguing but also impressive in size. The male is smaller, but the female can measure 3 inches in total length.

They capture and consume bees and butterflies, but also aphids, flies, grasshoppers, and mosquitoes.

These spiders have a venom which does not affect humans (unless there is an allergy). Keep in mind, if you handle a spider it may bite. Better be safe and not disturb one if you see it. You’ll both be happier.

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A Glimpse

A glimpse of things to come.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). Some of them. I notice their leaves changing color in late June/early July. Most people don’t pick up on it simply because they’re not expecting it. It’s very subtle. I’ve noticed it for several years now and watch for it. Minute changes from pure green to green with just a hint of red, slowly, slowly. Next year watch for it.

And now some of the Flowering Dogwood trees are becoming brilliant red. Those early ones.

A glimpse of things to come.

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Caution: Horsenettle Is Poisonous

Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)

Horsenettle generally blooms during a period of 6 weeks, anytime from May to October. Those blooms can be white or pale purple, with a 5 pointed star shape. Deep yellow anthers, which are the male part of the flower that produces pollen, are easy to see at the center of the blossom.

Leaves and stems are covered with hairs and very sharp spines.

After pollination the plant produces berries that have a strong resemblance to cherry tomatoes. They start out green and grow to be 1/2 inch across, ripening to a rich yellow.

Keep in mind, though the berries look like cherry tomatoes, ALL PARTS OF THIS PLANT ARE POISONOUS.

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