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Trees With Large Fruits in the Fall
As the leaves fall, it is easy to see the large fruits of several trees in our area that have reportedly lost their primary seed dispersers. When you look at fruits from hedge-apple, honey-locust and Kentucky coffee tree, you might … Continue reading
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Bright Red Shrubs
This has been a great year for some fall color. Burning bush (Euonymous alatus) has been particularly spectacular. I’ve seen some beautiful hedges as I’ve driven around town. One near the Governor’s Mansion caught my eye this week. Warning though … Continue reading
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Ghoulish puffballs now in local woods
Although at little out of the plant realm, fall is puffball mushroom season. While fall botanizing in open woods, I often come across these startling-look fungi. At first glance they look just like human skulls stuck in the ground. When … Continue reading
New Rain Gardens in Clowes Hall Parking Lot
As part of the construction of Butler University’s new Schrott Center for the Arts, the Clowes Hall parking lot was reconfigured. The new building followed building standards for LEED certification. Among other “green features”, the parking lot has permeable pavement … Continue reading
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What a Year for Goldenrod
Everywhere I look this fall is golden yellow with goldenrod. All through fields alongside the interstate, in the Butler Prairie and in my home garden. The most common goldenrod in our area is tall or Canada goldenrod, Solidago canadensis. This … Continue reading
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Native shrub that’s great for Indianapolis yards – Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia [Quercus is the oak genus]) is native to the southeastern US, but was not found in Indiana in presettlement times. It is well-suited to the Hoosier lifestyle, however. Its leaves are shaped like oak leaves, and … Continue reading
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Spiderworts and Day-flowers
Spiderworts (Tradescantia spp.) and Day-flowers (Commelina spp.) are the only members of the Commelinaceae, the Spiderwort family in the Indiana flora. They are all monocots, with parallel leaf veins and flowers made of three parts or multiples of three. There … Continue reading
Beech trees are easy to see in the woods this time of year
This time of year is one of the best for seeing small American beech (Fagus grandifolia) trees in forests in Central Indiana. Beeches tend to keep their light tan colored leaves throughout the winter. You can detect small trees in … Continue reading
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Tagged American beech, central Indiana woods, trees in winter
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Reading the Landscape
This time of year is a good time for noting individual trees in the landscape. Their shape and growth form helps you know the history of a site. Trees that grow in forests tend to have few outward extending lateral … Continue reading
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Fall Color 2012
Traditionally the 3rd week in October is peek color time for fall foliage in our area. Despite the unusual weather extremes this summer it seems to be true this year, too. This is the best time of year to distinguish … Continue reading
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