Roadside Wildflowers - May 20
Red & White Baneberry - Foamflower - Garlic Mustard
White seems to be the theme for today.
Baneberry - Woodland Wildflower
Red or White (doll’s eyes) berries
Actaea pachypoda - White Baneberry
Actaea ruba - Red Baneberry
The Red Baneberry is more common that the white around this area. While the foliage is similar the flower clusters differ as do the berries themselves. Red Baneberry has a rounded flower cluster and the White Baneberry has a tighter oblong cluster.
The red was found in the Town of Canton while the white was in the Town of Lisbon.
Tiarella cordifolia
Also called False Miterwort. The foliage is similar to Miterworts but lacks the stem leaves. Foamflowers have no frills on the flowers and the stamens are very long.
Foamflowers are a bit easier to spot while driving since they seem to grow in groups. I spotted them in the Towns of Canton, Potsdam and Lisbon today.
And the worst was saved for last.
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria officinalis
A biennial with a garlic smell when crushed. This plant is a noxious weed and is considered an Invasive Plant. Once gone to seed it is very difficult to ge rid of and spreads rapidly.
Often found in the edge of woods it seems to prefer shade and tolerates very dry conditions.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:44 am
sticking with your white theme, I picked up a white star flower today or Rhodohvpoxis baurii “white”. Hope that helps!
May 21st, 2008 at 5:15 am
Hi Wiseacre, thanks for showing those. Christopher C. from Outside Clyde gave us something from his woods that looks like the baneberry. When it blooms we will know if it is red or white. Thanks for that good info.
Frances at Faire Garden
May 21st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Oh, I remember seeing Doll’s Eyes in Wisconsin - thought they were cool, although not safe for kids to play with.
Garlic Mustard! We had that in IL and I pulled it by the bushel. Good luck with controlling it WiseAcre.
But Tiarella is just plain beautiful.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 am
I’m glad I read your post … I never knew the name of the Baneberry plant. Tiarella is one of my favourite woodland plants ( I have babied two of them in my garden here - they barely survive the winter.)
August 30th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I was compelled by your dare to make a comment. I love the way you did that. It’s the exact style I’ve been experimenting with on my blog. I found your website while I was doing research on Baneberry. I was trying to identify the plant I saw, and your site has been very helpful. So, thanks for the excellent website; and thanks for the interesting information on Baneberry plants.