Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana) growing at Grey Fox Conservation land, photo taken on 9/24/22, near the banks of Stony Brook in Westford. According to Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany, this beautiful native is the most common clematis in New England. The Cherokee made an infusion of virgin’s-bower with milkweed (Asclepias) to treat backache, as well as using it in ceremonial medicine to induce dreaming.
Pale Green Assassin Bug Photo taken May 15, 2021 on local flora. Description: Pale green or yellowish insect with a thin body. Adults have dark wings, males have a dark head as well. Nymphs lack wings and thorax spines. Adults can fly but rarely do so. Reproduction: In July adults lay eggs. The eggs are laid in…
Burgess Pond at Stony Conservation Land Photo taken February 3, 2026 by Gerry Dibello after recent snowstorms. Pristine Burges Pond, a clear water pond of approximately 25 acres and is surrounded by a network of trails including a 1.75-mile pond loop trail. Burgess Pond is described as a kettle-hole bog which are acidic dwarf shrub…
These two characters managed to bypass the defenses I have successfully setup to discourage the most creative squirrels. Here are a couple of the smallest squirrels, the nocturnal flying squirrels. Per Mass Audubon, northern and southern flying squirrels inhabit Massachusetts, but they only emerge at night. They average about 10 to 15 inches long and…
Marsh Marigold noted at Emmet Conservation Land May 11, 2024 during the trust annual Bird Walk. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is notable for its bright yellow spring bloom and its high tolerance for shade. The glossy, deep green leaves look good all season long, and the early bloom can give wet spots and pondsides a…
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) seen next to Vine Brook April 21, 2020, South Westford – photo courtesy of Ron Gemma NATURE NOTES* By ANNIE REID Westborough Community Land Trust Marsh-marigolds in our streams and swamps The branches are still bare and the day is chilly, but you know it’s spring when you see a bouquet…
One of the newly emerged skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) seen next to the extensive bog bridges on the lower section of the Tom Paul Trail – photo by Bill Duane, March 27, 2020 From New England Wildlife Center, Weymouth, MA – Native to eastern North America, skunk cabbage prefers to grow in wetlands. This plant…
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