Introduction to site
I decided to conduct my project at Blendon Woods Metro Park. This park is larger than 600 acres and hosts a wide variety of fauna and flora. For the means of my project, I primarily focused on two specific habitats. These habitats being a meadow and an old-growth oak-hickory forest. Being located only 20 minutes from Columbus, I was shocked on how separated from urbanization I felt. Endless trees in all directions, coupled with beautiful lakes and meadows made this park an absolute joy to visit and survey.
Ouch! Poison Ivy
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
This plant can cause some serious discomfort if you come into contact with it. Best learn how to identify it. Poison ivy is most notable for its trifoliolate leaves (Leaves of 3, let it be!). It is also distinctive in that it is a woody vine that attaches itself to trees in what looks like a hairy rope. Finally, though not always present, they have white fruits that can be hard to miss.
5 New Plants
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
CC: 2
Fun fact: Made into a tea to treat ear aches, stomach pain, and fevers.
Source: https://www.mayernikkitchen.com/medicinal-plants/new-england-aster#:~:text=inches%20at%20most.-,The%20New%20England%20Aster%20imparts%20medicinal%20properties%20of%20immense%20value,affinity%20for%20the%20respiratory%20system.
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)
CC: 2
Fun fact: Larval host plant for many butterfly and moth species including Harris’ checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies.
Source: https://www.prairienursery.com/calico-aster-aster-lateriflorus.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqVs9MXq49QqV–lGicZa8a6JJeRvorz7plwA_voQrL2CQtq5i8
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
CC: 2
Fun fact: Hmm, this looks awfully similar to sugar maple? Well… the lobes of red maples are serrated, where they are not in sugar maple. Also, red maple wood is sometimes used to make furniture.
Source: Trees and Shrubs by George Petrides
Frost grape (Vitis vulpina)
CC: 3
Fun fact: Grape species can be very important to fauna in an ecosystem. More than 100 species of songbird have been recorded consuming grapes, along with many mammals.
Source: Trees and Shrubs by George Petrides
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
CC: 3
Fun fact: Scratch n sniff! Fruit loops? Yes pls. Used to be used to make tea, but carcinogenic?
Source: Trees and Shrubs by George Petrides
Invasives grrrr
Amur honeysuckle
Native to China, honeysuckle was brought to North America in the late 1700’s, early 1800’s as an ornamental plant. Since then, it has grown rapidly and is widely distributed across Ohio. They invade nearly any woody habitat and dominate because of their tolerance to shade. Hand removal and chemical control are recommended methods of control.
Source: https://www.oipc.info/
Autumn olive
Also native to China and brought to North America in 1830 as an ornamental plant. They are found throughout the state and have the ability to live in poor nutrient soils as a result of their nitrogen fixing roots. Hand removal and selective herbicide application are recommended methods for control.
Source: https://www.oipc.info/
Common privet
Brought to North America in mid 1800’s from China, Europe, and North Africa, for the primary use of landscaping. They are a very aggressive plant that can tolerate the shade. They grow very thick and can out compete native plants, making them dangerous to ecosystems. Mechanical pulling and a variety of herbicide techniques are best for controlling privet.
Source: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/F-103
Multiflora rose
Brought to North America in 1866 from Japan, Korea, and China. It was brought over as a rootstock and ornamental rose. They prefer sunny to semi-shaded habitat, but have really high tolerance to other conditions, making them very versatile. They are found all throughout Ohio. Hand removal, herbicides, and potentially the use of rosette virus carrying mites can treat multiflora rose.
Source: https://www.oipc.info/
Fruits
Shagbark hickory
The fruit produced by hickories are nuts. They are identifiable by their hard shell and woody husk that splits apart into 4 pieces.
Multiflora rose
The fruit of multiflora rose are hips. They are an accessory fruit, as the receptacle of the flower becomes the fleshy part. They are also bright red.
Sweet crab apple
The fruits produced by crabapples are pomes. The hypanthium is the fleshy part of the fruit. The yellowish orange abundant fruits are small.
Red Oak
The fruits produced by oaks are acorns, which are nuts. Acorns are very distinctive. In this case, however, I was unable to ID this fruit down to species without looking up and seeing the adult tree that it fell from.
Mosses
Anamodon
Dicranum
Atrichum
Thuidium