Author: Caitlin Baer

Caitlin’s Scavenger Hunt

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PawPaw6 PawPaw5 PawPaw3 PawPaw1
Asimina triloba
The characters that I used to recognize this species are large leaves with arcuate-pinnate-venation, light gray bark, and the overall plant was relatively small in height for a tree. I found this tree in the Jennings courtyard. The common name is the common pawpaw.

 

NE Aster2 NE Aster1
Aster nova-angliae 
The characteristica I used to identify this plant were deep purple, linear leaves, a hairy stem, and a bright yellow center. This plant was conveniently found in our classroom. The common name is New England aster.

Lenticels1
A plant with obvious lenticels
I found this tree in the Jennings courtyard, as well. The common name is the sweetbay magnolia, and the scientific name is Magnolia virginiana. Lenticels are pores within a trees “skin,” in this case bark (though apples can also have them, so I suppose it could be any outer covering) that allows for a direct exchange of gasses between the plant and the air.

Hypanthium2 Hypanthium1
A plant that produces a hypanthium.
I found these in front of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center sign at Neil and 10th Avenue, just south of Newton Hall. The common name is chrysanthemum, and the scientific name is Chyrsanthemum sp. Hypanthiums are formed when sepals and petals are fused at base. You can see them really well on the closed flowers.

Solanaceae2 Solanaceae1
A plant from the Solanaceae family
My boyfriend procured these tomatoes from his garden for me in Columbus. Obviously they don’t have two carpals like they’re supposed to, so I am relying on the five sepals and the superior ovary. The scientific name for tomatoes is Solanum lycopersicum.

Fabaceae1
A plant from the Fabaceae family 
These were also procured from a garden in Columbus. I used the fact that they are legumes to identify them. They have one carpal and a dehiscence. The common name are snap peas, and the scientific name is Pisum sativum.

Kori is adorbz.
A picture of Kori and a praying mantis.
Everyone comment and tell Kori how gorgeous she is because this picture is so adorable that it makes me want to puke rainbows.

S. byzantina, M. sinensis, and C. Communis

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S. byzantina

S. byzantina

C. communis

C. communis

M. sinensis

M. sinensis

M. sinensis

M. sinensis

All plants found on September 16, 2014 in Mount Gilead (northern Morrow county).

Stachys byzantina:

  • Commonly known as Lamb’s Ear.
  • Family Lamiaceae
  • Native to America
  • Habitat: This plant has grown directly on the south side of my house for as long as I can remember. It’s a slightly shaded area with good drainage and woody shrubs in close vicinity.

Commelina communis:

  • Commonly known as Asiatic Dayflower
  • Family Commelinaceae
  • Native to eastern and southeastern Asia but introduced to eastern North America and is now a noxious weed
  • Habitat: I found this particular plant growing in the cracks of cement steps that lead to the front porch. It also grows behind my house under the deck and beneath the shade of a coniferous bush near the barn. It seems to like very well shaded areas that are moist.

Micanthus sinensis:

  • Commonly known as South American Elephant Grass
  • Family Poaceae
  • Native to eastern Asia but was introduced to America and is now invasive
  • Habitat: This plant grows in my front yard. The drainage is good, and the area is very well lit. No other plants grow in the immediate vicinity, possibly due to the invasive nature of this plant.

The C. communis really threw me for a loop because it’s growing next to some ivy, and I confused the leaves of the ivy with the leaves of the Asiatic dayflower. Identifying characteristics include two large blue petals with one very small white petal in the center. This distinguishes it from the Virginia dayflower, which has three blue petals. Furthermore, the Asiatic dayflower has a weak stem and tapering, lance-shaped leaves.

Also here’s a picture of a ladybug. Not sure what the flower is, but I like this picture, so I’m sharing it.

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