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Month: October 2020

But aren’t pine trees evergreen?

But aren’t pine trees evergreen?

Fall comes with the expectation, and often hopeful anticipation, that the leaves on deciduous trees, such as sassafras, white oak, and American beech, will transition to a beautiful array of yellows, oranges and reds before being shed for the season. But pine trees, including our local pitch pines (Pinus rigida) and white pines (Pinus strobus), retain their needles throughout the year. This quality led to the use of the term “evergreen” to describe these trees.  But if pine trees are…

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Potatoes or brains?

Potatoes or brains?

The term “seaweed” refers to a group of marine organisms called macroalgae. Many people think of them as plants, but while they do share some similarities (e.g., photosynthesis), seaweeds actually belong to an entirely different kingdom: Protista. The larger group of macroalgae called seaweeds are further classified into red, green and brown alga. One of the easiest brown seaweeds to identify is the sea potato (Leathesia difformis): a yellowish-brown, lumpy sac-like seaweed, often with various dips, divots and furrows when…

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Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus)

Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus)

On a recent walk through the woods I stepped over what I thought was a lost gray shoelace or strap amidst the leaves in the center of the trail. I took another step or two before I decided that that interpretation wasn’t quite right, and I turned around to have a better look at this strange item in the trail. I’m glad I did, as it turned out to be a ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) partially obscured by the fallen…

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Wildflower Wednesday: Perennial Salt Marsh Aster

Wildflower Wednesday: Perennial Salt Marsh Aster

When most people think of salt marshes, they probably picture large expanses of nothing but grass. For those with a little more familiarity with marshes, you may go so far as to picture the common species of salt marsh plants, including smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), salt marsh hay (Spartina patens) or common glasswort (Salicornia maritima). But if you look closely, you may also find other interesting plants mixed in. This is what happened to me on a recent walk out…

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7 Reasons Not to Hate Poison Ivy

7 Reasons Not to Hate Poison Ivy

Given the horribly itchy rash that poison ivy can cause, it’s no wonder that this plant is loathed by many. I, too, have experienced the severe discomfort an encounter with poison ivy can bring, but I certainly don’t hate it. It would be more accurate to say that I respect poison ivy. Although poison ivy often gets a bad rap, and I may not be able to convince you to actually like it, here are seven reasons not to hate…

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