Plants of Whetstone Park

Whetstone Park – Botanical Survey

Introduction to Whetstone Park:

Whetstone Park is a 149-acre regional park in Columbus, Ohio, that was planted in May 2004 to convert the land into native natural areas with vernal pools, woodland buffers, and Ohio native prairie communities. For this botanical survey, I explored three main communities within Whetstone Park, the first area being a woodland forest near a bike path where I observed numerous native Ohio trees and shrubs. The second was a grassland prairie with many native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. Lastly, the third area I explored included a restored wetland where I encountered many mosses, lichens, and water-loving trees. Within the three main regions of Whetstone Park I explored for this botanical survey, all three had the same Ross silt loam soil type (0 to 2% slopes). The soil pH was also more basic in 2 of the 3 areas, one likely being slightly acidic in patches due to the presence of cultivated evergreens. With these three broad communities in this park, I encompassed a broad overview of this land and documented some of the beautiful plants I found just a few minutes from home.

Map of Whetstone Park

Here is an aerial overview of Whetstone Park. The 3 pink stars marked on the map indicate the 3 areas of interest I surveyed: 1.) woodland forest, 2.) restored wetland, and 3.) grassland prairie.

 

Poison-Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans (COC = 1)

Poison-ivy was decently abundant throughout Whetstone Park as there were many entangled vines of this species growing up mature trees and also popping throughout the ground. A great way to identify poison-ivy, Toxicodendron arboreum, is to look for leaflets of 3 (as the saying goes, “leaflets 3, let it be!”) or trifoliolate leaves with white fruits that are drupes. This is important as poison-ivy can grow in the form of a vine, shrub, or carpet on the ground! Another great tip for identification includes their vine structures, which appear as thick hairy ropes climbing up trees using adventitious roots. The reason humans often avoid this native plant is due to an oil it produces, called urushiol, which causes a rash 12-48 hours after contacting the skin. This plant also has a coefficient of conservatism of 1, meaning it is extremely common. So, to review, some great identification features:

  1. Leaflets 3, let it be!
  2. Aerial roots, wear your boots!
  3. Drupes that are white, run in freight!
Remember for poison-ivy: Leaflets 3, let it be! Aerial roots, wear your boots! Drupes that are white, run in freight!

 

Citations: 

Columbus Recreation and Parks. (2024). Whetstone Park and Columbus Park of Roses. City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Retrieved from: https://columbusrecparks.com/parks/whetstone-park-and-columbus-park-of-roses/

Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada. Peterson Field Guide, pages 1-428.

 

6 New Plants: Trees, Shrubs/ Vines, & Flowering Plants

2 New Trees

1. pawpaw, Asimina triloba (COC = 6)

Here is a photo of the large, obovate leaves of our pawpaw tree, Asimina triloba. These leaves are alternately arranged, simple in complexity, and entire about the leaf margin. Pawpaws are especially great for many reasons including their interesting winter twigs, large and glossy spring/ summer leaves, and ultimately this tree is known for their edible fruits that emerge in late summer! This fruit is quite delicious and reminds me of a custardy mango, you should find one for yourself!

An interesting fun fact about pawpaw trees is how they are pollinated. Rather than their flowers producing good smelling floral scents for bees and other pollinators to be attracted to, this flower is reddish-purple and emits an odor that smells similar to dead animals, attracting insects such as flies and beetles to complete pollination (Davis, 2024)! How interesting! So often when people want to pollinate a tree in their yard, they will put roadkill up in the tree to lure in pollinators to produce some delicious pawpaw fruits. Human uses of this tree have ranged from eating its large fruits for nutrition to utilizing the trees bark, leaves, and seeds to make medicine to treat fevers and inflammation of the mouth/ throat (RxList, 2024).

Citations: 

Davis, C. (2024). Pollination. Peterson Pawpaws. Retrieved from: https://www.petersonpawpaws.com/pollination/#:~:text=Pawpaw%20trees%20are%20self%2Dinfertile,species%20of%20flies%20and%20beetles.

RxList. (2024). American Pawpaw. RxList: Vitamins and Supplements. Retrieved from: https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/american_pawpaw.htm#:~:text=American%20pawpaw%20is%20a%20plant,uses%20extreme%20dilutions%20of%20medicines.

 

2. American basswood, Tilia americana (COC = 6)

Here we have a new tree that has not been covered in Ohio Plants, American basswood (Tilia Americana). American basswood is known for its heart-shaped leaves with unequal bases (making it quite different than leaves such as redbud!), alternate arrangement, and coarse teeth along leaves (ISU, 2024).

Some interesting facts about the American basswood tree include that they are the “favorite tree” for both honeybees and beekeepers as their non-showy, fragrant flowers emerge around June and attract many species of bees, producing a distinctive tasting honey. This honey is so unique it is often sold separately as “basswood honey” (ISU, 2024)!

Citations: 

Iowa State University. (2024) Amerucin Basswood. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Natural Resource Stewardship. Retrieved from: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/basswood.html#:~:text=The%20leaves%20of%20basswood%20are,on%20branches%20and%20young%20trunks.

 

2 New Shrubs/ Vines

3. black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis (COC = 1)

Photographed above is the species black raspberry, otherwise known as Rubus occidentalis. Rubus is a broad genus with many similar-looking species in Ohio, but for black raspberry, a great way to ID this species is by looking for a purple-ish colored vine where all of the leaves attach. Other identification features include their alternate leaves that are compound, typically containing 3 leaflets, and the underside of the leaves being “silvery” as seen in the photograph I took (Minnesota Wildflowers, 2024).

Black raspberries are utilized by humans for a multitude of reasons including their edible and delicious fruits (not berries, they are aggregates of drupelets), medicinal uses from their leaves, and dyes due to their fruits’ dark color, making this species an important necessity for humans ((Minnesota Wildflowers, 2024).

Citations: 

Minnesota Wildflowers. (2024). Rubus Occidentalis (Black Raspberry). Minnesota Wildflowers a Field Guide to the Flora of Minnesota. Retrieved from: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/black-raspberry

Petrides, George A. 1972, Trees and Shrubs of Northeast and North Central US and Southeast and South Central Canada. Peterson Field Guide, pages 1-428.

 

4. riverbank grapevine, Vitis riparia (COC = 3)

Here we have a species of grapevine, Vitis riparia, that is (obviously) a vine! This species can be identified with their “maple-leaf” shaped leaves that have exaggerated, toothed edges. Older and more mature individuals will appear as thick, woody vines hanging from trees.

Some interesting natural history facts about grapevine include their speedy growth and climbing patterns when found in nature. Riverbank grape is fast-growing and can climb or trail over trees, shrubs, rocks, and other areas in a forest, growing up to 75 feet long! The reason this vine does so well climbing up trees and other organisms is due to its use of tendrils where the plant quite literally wraps itself around something, almost like grabbing onto it (Minnesota Wildflowers, 2024)!

Citations: 

Minnesota Wildflowers. (2024). Vitis Riparia (Riverbank Grape). Minnesota Wildflowers a Field Guide to the Flora of Minnesota. Retrieved from: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vitis-riparia/#:~:text=Riverbank%20grape%20is%20a%20fast,shrubs%20due%20to%20heavy%20shading.

 

2 New Flowering Plants

5. azure aster, Symphyotrichum oolentangiensis (COC = 7)

Azure aster, Symphyotrichum oolentangiense, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae), meaning it has a composite head with many ray and disc flowers (in this case) that appear as one, whole flower to novice viewers. Identification of this species includes looking for composite flower heads, blue/periwinkle-colored flowers, and looking for erect, dense clumps of 1 to 5 stems (NC State, 2024).

Some interesting natural history that hits close to home for many of my fellow Ohio Plants students includes the fact that this species was first discovered by the Olentangy River in Ohio, hense the species name “oolentangiense“. Speaking of scientific names, the genus “Symphyotrichum” comes from the Greek words “symph” and “trich”, which mean coming together and hair. These meanings actually refer to the flower anthers, how interesting (NC State, 2024)!

Citations: 

North Carolina State. (2024). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. North Carolina State Extension. Retrieved from: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-oolentangiense/

 

6. white snakeroot, Eupatorium rugosum (COC = 3)

Photographed above is a very common North American herb of the aster family (Asteraceae) called white snakeroot, Ageratina altissima. Identification of this flowering plant includes their small, white composite heads of flowers, opposite leaves, and height of about 2-5 feet (Britannica, 2024).

Some interesting facts about white snakeroot include the toxic alcohol (tremetol) that the plant contains. Any cattle that graze on this plant may suffer from muscular tremors (the “trembles”, weakness, constipation, and even death due to this substance. Furthermore, it is important to not have this planted in pastures where cows are since any person who drinks the milk of an affected cow may experience milk sickness, which has been said to cause weakness, vomiting, constipation, and death ((Britannica, 2024).

Citations: 

Britannica. (2024). White snakeroot. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/plant/white-snakeroot

 

 

4 Invasive Plants

Using this Ohio Invasive Plants CouncilLinks to an external site. page as a guide, identify 4 listed invasives on your site. Display your photos, and for each nasty plant give pertinent information about its origin, ecosystems where it is problem, and suggested control measures.

1. bush honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica (COC = 0)

Pictured above is bush honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica. Bush honeysuckle identification includes its leaves that are opposite, simple, smooth on the underside, and have a rounded or pointed tip, as well as its fruits that are round, red drupes that ripen in mid to late summer. This invasive plant is nearly everywhere you go nowadays as control of this species is difficult due to fruit dispersal by animals and its fast-growing nature.

The origin of bush honeysuckle is from Russia and Central Asia. Exotic honeysuckles such as Amur, bush, and morrow honeysuckle came from varying countries in Asia or Europe (Concord, 2024). Ecosystems in which this is a problem include forests with some degree of light since this invasive plant grows quickly to outcompete native shrubs in Ohio and the United States. Bush honeysuckle will shade out native wildflowers and young trees on the forest floor, this competition goes even further than space and begins to reach into competing for native pollinators, resulting in fewer seeds dispersed from native species (CCM, 2024). Some suggested control measures include hand removal of plants in possible areas of light infestations, and removing the entire root system from the ground (OIPC, 2023).

Citations: 

Andreas, B., et al. (2002). Floristic quality assessment index (FQAI) for vascular plants and mosses for the State of Ohio. Kent State University, pages 1-217.

Conservation Commission of Missouri (CCM). (2024).  Bush Honeysuckles. Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved from: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bush-honeysuckles#:~:text=Ecosystem%20Connections,seeds%20set%20on%20native%20species.

Concord. (2024). Asian Bush Honeysuckles: Amur, Tartarian, Morrows, and Bells. The Town of Concord Massachusetts. Retrieved from: https://concordma.gov/781/Asian-Bush-Honeysuckles#:~:text=Origin%20of%20Asian%20Bush%20Honeysuckles,Morrow’s%20is%20also%20from%20Japan.

Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC). (2023). Invasive List: Invasive Plants in Ohio. University of Cincinnati c/o Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from: https://www.oipc.info/background-information.html

 

2. spotted ladysthumb, Persicaria maculosa (COC = 0)

The image above shows the bright pink flowers of spotted ladysthumb, Persicaria maculosa, an invasive summer annual that affects many horticultural, agronomic, and nursery areas within the midwest and lower areas of Canada. The leaves are alternately arranged and are lanceolate in shape. The flowers are clustered in terminal spikes at the end of stems, individual flowers themselves are small and pink, but can sometimes be white. Their fruit is a black achene.

The origin of spotted ladysthumb is from Europe and Asia. Ecosystems in which this is a problem include areas near the Great Lakes as this species prefers moist to wet waste ground, disturbed sites, meadows, and stream banks. The exact spot where I found this invasive species was near the wetland I visited when conducting my botanical survey. Some suggested control measures include utilizing synthetic herbicides to suffocate the root systems, hand-pulling the individuals, and improving drainage of the land (if possible) (Cao and Sturtevant, 2019).

Citations: 

Andreas, B., et al. (2002). Floristic quality assessment index (FQAI) for vascular plants and mosses for the State of Ohio. Kent State University, pages 1-217.

Cao, L., and Sturtevant, R. (2019). Persicaria maculosa Gray. Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System: NOAA. Retrieved from: https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2666

 

3. common buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica (COC = 0)

Pictured above is common buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, which is an invasive species identified through its slender, glabrous stems tipped with a spine, oval leaves, and glossy green-colored leaves (OIPC, 2023).

The origin of common buckthorn was in Eurasia as ornamental shrubs for fence rows and wildlife habitat (OIPC, 2023). Ecosystems in which this is a problem include wetlands (including swamps, bogs, fens, and wet meadows) and upland habitats (such as open woods, woodland edges, and old fields) that are moist. Some suggested control measures include pulling out each individual with your hands (for small populations) or utilizing chemical control and spraying herbicide on the foliage during their growing season (OIPC, 2023).

Citations:

Andreas, B., et al. (2002). Floristic quality assessment index (FQAI) for vascular plants and mosses for the State of Ohio. Kent State University, pages 1-217.

Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC). (2023). Invasive List: Invasive Plants in Ohio. University of Cincinnati c/o Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from: https://www.oipc.info/background-information.html

 

4. Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii (COC = 0)

The last invasive species we will go over includes Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii. This species is known for its small and numerous oval to circular leaves with sharp spines at each node.

The origin of this species stems from Japan and areas of Asia. Ecosystems in which this is a problem vary widely as this species can thrive in habitats from acidic bogs to hardwood forests. They have even been noted to adapt to grow without sufficient sunlight (however their growth would increase drastically when in full sun) and have many invasive adaptations (NPS, 2022). Some suggested control measures include either mechanical (removing by hand) or chemical measures (utilizing herbicide) to control these spreading populations throughout the United States.

Citations: 

Andreas, B., et al. (2002). Floristic quality assessment index (FQAI) for vascular plants and mosses for the State of Ohio. Kent State University, pages 1-217.

National Park Service (NPS). (2022). Invasive Plant Profile: Japanese Barberry. National Park Service: Acadia National Park. Retrieved from: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/japanese-barberry-acadia.htm#:~:text=They%20can%20grow%20in%20virtually,as%20it%20has%20full%20sun.

Ohio Invasive Plants Council. (2023). Invasive List: Invasive Plants in Ohio. University of Cincinnati c/o Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from: https://www.oipc.info/background-information.html

 

 

Woody Plant Fruits Identification

1. northern red oak, Quercus rubra (COC = 6)

Here we have our first fruit that was extremely numerous at Whetstone Park. This fruit is from the northern red oak, Quercus rubra, and the type of fruit is a nut (a true nut yes!). I included some leaves along with the acorn’s “cap” that originally had fallen off of the nutritive tissue from this fruit. This acorn is barrel-shaped and is typically about 1 inch long with a flat cap and appressed scales enclosing only about 1/4 of the nut (Harlow, 2021).

FRUIT TYPE = nut

 

2. black walnut, Juglans nigra (COC = 5)

Our second fruit I found was the fruit of a black walnut tree, Juglans nigra, that was oddly distinct by its smell. I knew to start looking around for these fruits once I smelled a citrusy lime soda in the air. These fruits are classified as drupes due to their fleshy fruit and central “stone” that contains the seed. We know that this specimen is a black walnut as opposed to a butternut since black walnut fruits have a silky shine and butternuts are soft and oily (Harlow, 2021).

FRUIT TYPE = drupe

 

3. pignut hickory, Carya glabra (COC = 5)

Our third fruit that I found was from a pignut hickory tree, Carya glabra. This fruit is classified as a nut and is obovoid in shape, 1-2 inches long, has a thin husk that partially splits upon maturation, and the nut itself is fairly round yet flattened. This fruit is classified as a nut since it is a dry fruit with a hard shell and a single seed, that is protected by a husk  (Harlow, 2021).

FRUIT TYPE = nut

 

4. sugar maple, Acer saccharum, (COC = 5)

Our last fruit belonged to none other than the sugar maple, Acer saccharum. Sugar maple fruits are samaras and are identified by their “U” or “V” shaped winged seeds that are green in the spring and turn yellowish in the fall. These fruits are in pairs and hang downward in clusters throughout the summer. When these fruits fall, they are known to appear as “helicopters” since samaras are wind-dispersed and fly down in a spinning fashion after summer turns to fall (Harlow, 2021).

FRUIT TYPE = samara

 

ALL Citations: 

Harlow, W. (2021). Fruit Key & Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs. Dover Publications, pages 1-50 and 1-56.

Andreas, B., et al. (2002). Floristic quality assessment index (FQAI) for vascular plants and mosses for the State of Ohio. Kent State University, pages 1-217.

 

Mosses and Lichens

1. black sheet lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum 

Our first lichen is the black sheet lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum. I found this lichen growing abundantly on a sugar maple tree at Whetstone Park and noticed some great identification characteristics about it, including its fruticose growth form, black underside, and green-gray-colored thallus (Curtis, 2024).

 

2. hooded sunburst lichen, Xanthomendoza fallax

This beautifully bright, yellow lichen was found on the bark of an American sycamore tree at Whetstone Park in their forested area. I brought in a small sample and had Dr. Klips aid me in the identification of this species. the hooded sunburst lichen, Xanthomendoza fallax, can be identified by its bright yellow-orange color, growth form of crustose, and thallus that is divided into small, flat branches (Consortium of Lichen Herbaria, 2024).

3. stellate orthotrichum moss, Orthotrichum stellatum 

The third specimen I found was a moss! This is a species of stellate orthotrichum moss, Orthotrichum stellatum, and can be identified by its strongly ribbed capsules (that are orange here), many leaves, and lanceolate/ long leaf shape (USDA , 2024). Below is a photo under the microscope for better identification features.

 

Here we have a zoomed-in photo of this species where we can see its signature lamellae and simple leaves! Notice how ribbon-like the lamellae are on this species, WOW! This species is not papillose and is an acrocarp (USDA , 2024).

 

4. silvery thread moss, Bryum argenteum 

Our last moss that we found was the silvery thread moss, Bryum argenteum, which can be identified by its pale green, compact tufts from afar (USFS, 2024). Each stalk is somewhat slender and grows in an erect form. Individual leaves are shown in the microscope photo below!

 

Here is a zoomed-in photo showing that this is a papillose acrocarp species. Notice the interesting shape of each leaf and see the finely papillose identification feature as well (USFS, 2024)!

 

Citations: 

Consortium of Lichen Herbaria. (2024). Xanthomendoza fallax. Consortium of Lichen Herbaria: building a Global Consortium of Bryophytes and Lichens as keystones of cryptobiotic communities. Retrieved from: https://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=56398&clid=1088

Curtis, R. (2024). Black Sheet Lichen. iNaturalist. Retrieved from https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/117892-Parmotrema-reticulatum

Showman, R., et al. (2022). Common Lichens of Ohio Field Guide. Ohio Division of Wildlife, pages 1-80.

USFS. (2024). Silvergreen Bryum Moss (Bryum argenteum). U.S. Forest Service: Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/bryum_argenteum.shtml

USDA. (2024). Orthotrichum stellatum Brid. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ORST3

I thought that this was a lovely sign from my botanical survey study site, you should give this place a visit!

 

P.S. Thank you Dr. Klips for helping me identify the mosses and lichens I found at my site!