![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/indianaplants\/files\/2012\/05\/butterweed42.jpg\")
<\/a>Butterweed at Southwestway's Park<\/p><\/div>\n
Butterweed fills an area so thoroughly that it looks like an invasive non-native but it is in fact a native \u2013 but invasive.\u00a0 It is definitely on the increase in central Indiana and is showing up as a lawn weed on the Butler University campus.\u00a0 Marcia Moore and I took these photos along the White River at Southwestways Park in Indianapolis this week.\u00a0 We did not see this plant in the park when we inventoried the flora 8 years ago.<\/p>\n
Butterweed\u2019s striking yellow stands are beautiful.\u00a0 It is a member of the aster or daisy family.\u00a0 Both the disc and ray flowers are yellow.\u00a0 Leaves are pinnately\u00a0 divided (like a feather) and the stems are large and hollow, often with vertically running ridges.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Lots of yellow<\/p><\/div>\n
It has little tuffs of hairs like dandelions that help spread the seeds around. It is a winter annual or biennial and seems to prefer moist soil.<\/p>\n
I have read that no-till farming may be one of the reasons this plant is on the increase.\u00a0 I do not know the origin of the common name but would like to hear any ideas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello blog readers!\u00a0 I have been absent for some weeks due to my daughter\u2019s graduation from UIndy (hurrah!) and an invited speaking engagement at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.\u00a0 Now back to local flora. Have you seen fallow farm fields of … Continue reading