Author: Phil Huhn
-
Rain Gardens and Wildflower Gardens – An Exploration – September 2, 2023
Take a closer look at the rain gardens and wildflower plantings at Mitchell Elementary School, Scarlett Middle School and possibly beyond. Meet at the Scarlett Middle School main entrance at 10:00 am.
-
Workday – August 5, 2023
This is the 1st Saturday of the monthly workday to help preserve Scarlett Mitchell Woods from 10 am to 1:00PM. Meet at the Scarlett drop-off circle.
-
St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is actually an invasive species. Some countries consider St. John’s Wort a noxious weed and if eaten in large quantities by livestock is poisonous. This photograph was taken on July 1st, 2023 on the south side of the pond. St. John’s Wort has been used as homeopathic or folk medicine…
-
Smoothcap Moss
This image of moss (Genus Atrichum) was photographed on May 9th, 2023. It was photographed along the north south leg of the loop trail (that is head straight south from the school drop-off loop entrance). Wikipedia
-
Canadian Geese
Canadian Goose and at least 3 goslings on May 9th, 2023 at the edge of the pond. Wikiphia
-
Cow parsnip (avoid it)
Cow parsnip’s (Heracleum maximum) sap contains a phototoxin that reacts with ultraviolet light to cause skin irritation ranging from a mild rash to severe blistering. This photo was taken at the entrance near the Colonial Square big court. At least 5 plants can be seen to the right of the entrance. Department of Environmental Conservation
-
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae family) is not native to the Michigan woodland forest. This is one of the main invasive species in Scarlett Mitchell Woods. Honeysuckle will crowd out native plants. Honeysuckle is one of the first plant to have green leaves in the spring and is one of the last plants to have leaves in the…
-
Dryad’s Saddle
Dryad’s Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) was seen on the Spring Unfolding 2023 event on Saturday May 13. This fungus is attached to a downed tree around the south side of the pond. Other shelves of Dryad’s Saddle were on the log. Wikipedia for Dryad’s Saddle Missouri Department of Conservation
-
Green Heron
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) was spotted on the Spring Unfolding 2023 event on Saturday May 13. This solitary bird joined use for the event. It landed on the branch laying in the pond. It moved around on the branch. Audibon Field Guide for Green Heron Wikipedia article
-
FSMW Board Meeting #15-Canceled (July 2023)
(Canceled) Online Zoom Meeting July 27 7:30, Thursday To explore the creation of an on-going organization of community members to help manage and care for Scarlett Mitchell Woods, the central 40 acres of the Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area. This area contains the heart of the woods and the pond, which was dredged in 1982. It…