Wickham Park, Storm Water Ponds, July 20, 2010

I hiked around the storm water ponds on the extreme east side of Wickham Park. Found one new plant: False nettle, bog hemp (Boehmeria cylindrica).

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The larger of the two ponds.

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Narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia, Asteraceae)

Native

This particular plant was near the paved path to the ponds. It is found in dry, sandy areas throughout the park.

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Common wireweed (Sida ulmifolia, Malvaceae)

Native

A common weed, usually found near sidewalks in dry, sandy soil. It's in the Hibiscus family.

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Largeflower Mexican clover (Richardia grandiflora, Rubiaceae)

Non-native

A common weed found in dense patches along roadsides. I can't resist taking pictures of these small flowers.

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Herb-of-grace, smooth waterhyssop (Bacopa monnieri, Plantaginaceae)

Native

Grows in wet or moist soils, along edges of ditches and ponds.

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Primrosewillow (Ludwigia spp., Onagraceae)

Native

A tiny yellow flower growing near the pond edge in an area of mowed grass.  The four yellow petals alternating with triangular sepals appears to put this in the Ludwigia genus. This might be wingleaf primrosewillow (L. decurrens). There are many similar species of Ludwigia. Constant mowing prevented this plant from attaining its usual form.

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American bluehearts (Buchnera americana, Orobanchaceae)

Native

Several of these wildflowers were growing near the walkway in dry, sandy soil.

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Giant leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium, Pteridaceae)

Native

Found at water's edge.

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Tailed bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum, Dennstaedtiaceae)

Native

In dry, sandy soil near the walkway.

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Seven-sisters, string-lily (Crinum americanum, Amaryllidaceae)

Native

Found in the water near the pond edge. All the lilies had recently been cut down, but this one had sprouted up and flowered.

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False nettle, bog hemp (Boehmeria cylindrica, Urticaceae)
Native

This small, woody shrub was growing several feet from the pond edge. Its leaves looked and felt (sandpapery) like the leaves of Lantana. However, the flowers were not like Lantana--they grew along the branches of the plant. Lower (and older) branches were covered in the remains of flowers

January 6, 2011. This previously unidentified plant has now been identified as Boehmeria cylindrica. Leaves opposite, stalked, blades ovate to lanceovate, with 3 main veins from base, sandpapery surfaces, tapering at base, margins strongly toothed. Flowers in dense, rounded clusters scattered along a long stalk. Found throughout the state along marshy shores, swamps, ditches, and canals. Although this plant is in the nettle family, it lacks stinging hairs. Blooms summer-fall. 

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Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia, Vitaceae)

Native

The grapevines along the eastside walkway were full of clusters of ripe grapes.

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Hercules-club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Rutaceae)

Native

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Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis, Adoxaceae)

Native

Blossoms and berries. Found in the wooded edge of the northwest corner of the large pond.

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White crownbeard, frostweed (Verbesina virginica, Asteraceae)

Native

Found in the wooded edge on the west side of the large pond.

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