June 12, 2015 Indigo Pollinators Insect pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with a lack of suitable habitat and consecutive years of severe weather have taken their toll on these vital organisms. Apis melifera, our familiar yet nonnative
Indigo Bush, Plant, Shrub
December 6, 2013 Bittersweet Readers of this column have no doubt noticed, I’m not much of a plant person. Sure, I can point out our more notable natives, and I can lament non-native buckthorn, honeysuckle and garlic mustard with the best of ’em. But for the most part I feel better leaving the commentary on
Berries, Bittersweet, Plant, Vine
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District January 4, 2013 Anyone care for a little coffee? Kentucky coffee tree, that is? These unusual trees, with their sparse branches and chunky seed pods, are a fairly common site in parks and along
Coffee Tree, Plant, Thick Pods
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District December 7, 2012 I will always remember my first encounter with witch hazel. I was about six years old and, for whatever reason, running headlong around my parents’ house. Eyes down, arms outstretched, I
Plant, Tree, Witch Hazel
Remember the Sesame Street ditty, “One of These Things Is Not Like the Others?” It seems like at one time or another, every cast member—Big Bird, Kermit, Grover, even Mr. Hooper—took a turn singing this song, which encourages kids to spot the one different object in a group. I remember thinking I was a little
Fagaceae, Plant, Tree
Sometimes nature’s elements can be obvious, like when a skunk squirts and blankets an entire neighborhood with rich aroma. Or when a bur oak acorn leaves its mother tree and knocks you on the head. But other times nature is much more subtle. A gentle breeze. The sun’s warm rays. A snake’s shed skin draped
Flower, Garden, Plant
Anyone care for a little coffee? Kentucky coffee tree, that is? These unusual trees, with their sparse branches and chunky seed pods, are a fairly common site in parks and along streets in St. Charles and other suburban communities. They’re planted with regularity, thanks to their tolerance of both dry conditions and poor soils, as
Kentucky Coffee Tree, Plant, Tree
It’s been said that the longest journeys start with a single step. But what I learned this week is that some journeys start with a single click. The adventure started innocently enough, on Labor Day, with a walk to Geneva Commons to meet my friend Lisa. Along the way I ran into friends Nanette and
Inkberry, Plant, PokeweedWahoo! Fall color is at its peak here in the TriCities! Vibrant hues of crimson, gold and luscious brown greet us each day as local trees surrender their last green bits of chlorophyll and begin their preparations for winter. A light wind brings these colors fluttering downward, a flurry of autumnal tones that disappear far
Plant, Shrub, WahooFor those of us who walk in the woods on a regular basis, a little sadness haunts the air. As spring wanes, so do the perky blooms on many of our native woodland wildflowers. The seasonal show of sweet but subtle blooms is about over. But another is just beginning. To take in of this
Lipid, Plant, Seeds