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Category: Seasons

  • Bluestem Goldenrod

    blue-stemmed goldenrod

    Bluestem Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) was found on the NAP west section behind the Coop. The small delicate flowers grow in a line along greenish-purple stems. It is mostly found in shady wooded areas. It grows in the eastern part of North America from Canada to Florida.

  • Puffball

    Giant puffball

    Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) is found in meadows, fields, and deciduous forests in late summer and autumn. The rapidly growing puffball is edible, but within weeks it starts to decompose and is toxic. The giant puffball is found throughout the world in temperate climates.

  • Brown-toothed Crust Fungus

    Brown-toothed Crust Fungus

    Brown-toothed Crust Fungus (Hydnoporia olivacea) is an olive-brown to reddish-brown leathery crust directly on wood surfaces, featuring a jagged, toothlike surface. It secrets chemicals to digest hardwood logs and branches.

  • Violet-toothed Polypore

    Violet-toothed Polypore fungus

    Violet-toothed Polypore (Trichaptum biforme) is an inedible common bracket fungus that is also known as violet-pored bracket fungus. It secrets chemicals to digest hardwood logs and stumps. Violet tooth is found in North America and other temperate climates.

  • Oak Bracket

    Oak Bracket fungi

    Oak Bracket (Pseudoinonotus dryadeus) is an inedible species of fungus often found growing at the base of oak trees. It is a parasite and primarily a root decay fungus, rotting the below-ground parts of roots. The blotches near the edges are secreted orange-brown liquid which weeps from tubes in its upper surface. Oak bracket is…

  • White Snakeroot

    White Snakeroot

    White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) is a native plant to eastern North America. Snakeroot can grow to almost 5 feet tall. It produces a single or multi-stemmed clumps in mid to late summer and fall. At the end of the upper branches, an umbrella collection of white flowers, measuring 2 to 6 inches across. Snakeroot can spread…

  • Full Moon Serenade (Hunter’s Moon) – October 25, 2026 @ 7:00 PM

    Full Moon over the pond on 2025-11-05

    WHO: Everybody is welcome WHAT: Singing at the benches by the pond. WHERE: Meet at the main entrance to Scarlett Mitchell Woods (the kiosk west of Scarlett Middle School and south of the bus turnaround loop). WHEN: 7:00 PM Sunday October 25, 2026 WHY: Get a different view of the woods in the dark. See…

  • NAP Workday – September 19, 2026

    NAP Workday September 19, 2026

    Saturday, September 19th – 9:00am to noon Natural Area Preservation (NAP) Workday in Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area. Meet at the bench near the showcase at the main entrance to the woods, just south of the bus turnaround loop. NAP prefers participants to sign up in advance in order to save time City of Ann Arbor Volunteer…

  • Hare’s Foot Inkcap

    Hare's Foot Inkcap mushroom

    Hare’s Foot Inkcap (Coprinopsis lagopus) is a delicate and short-lived fungus, the fruit bodies lasting only a few hours before dissolving into a black ink – a process called deliquescence. This fungus was found on the loop trail path heading towards the pond. We had lots of rain in the last number of days.

  • Chokecherry

    Chokecherry

    Chokecherry (Prunus Virginiana – Wikipedia) is a species of bird cherry native to North America. Chokecherries’ is a shrub, native from mid-Ohio to mid-Canada. Chokecherry leaf is oval 1 to 4 inches long and 1/2 to 2 inches wide. The leaf is dark green above with a paler underside. Chokecherry flowers are small, white, 5-petaled blossoms…