Buggy Serenade

 

When you take a walk during this time of year, whether at the Nature Preserve, or just around the block near your home, your ears may be overwhelmed with the buzzing song of insects. Insects are usually unnoticed by most people, except for a passing comment perhaps. "Boy, those bugs sure are loud today! I wonder what's making all that noise."  Because they are cold blooded, insects need hot days to warm up their instruments. You won't hear them on a cool morning. But if you listen, you will notice them around midday. By late afternoon or early evening, more insects will have joined the chorus. They are singing love songs, and looking for a mate!

 

 

These sounds are made by different insects, depending on the time of day you hear the singing. During the day, the loud buzzing is usually made by a cicada. There are several species, including an annual cicada and the dreaded 17-year species. A cicada is 1 to 2 inches long, with a blunt head and clear wings. Similar to true bugs, it has a mouth part for sucking. Like a drinking straw with a sharp end, the cicada's mouth part can pierce a woody plant and suck up sap. The female cicada has an ovipositor folded under her abdomen. She uses it to slice into the tip of a branch and deposit eggs inside. After the eggs hatch, the young cicadas (called nymphs) drop to the ground and use special front legs to tunnel into the soil. Underground, they feed on root sap and grow in dark burrows for many years.

 

 

Each cicada crawls out of the ground and up onto a tree or other woody plant. Then the cicada nymph inflates itself with air, moisture, and blood, splitting open its exoskeleton. Eventually, the grown-up cicada emerges and leaves its exoskeleton on the bark. Males begin to call for a mate, during the day, and females listen for their courting call. After mating and laying eggs, the adults die. Some people call cicadas locusts, but they are not. The confusion happens because locusts, which are a kind of large grasshopper, sometimes show up in tremendous swarms. However, locust swarms are very destructive. They devour entire crops, while cicadas feed only on plant juices and do minor damage to trees.

 

 

In the evening, other insects sing the buggy serenade. Katydids are some of my favorites, as they argue, "Katy did!" and "Katy didn't!"  As a child I always wondered what Katy was supposed to have done! Katydids look like large green grasshoppers with super-long antennae. Indeed, another name for these insects is long-horned grasshoppers.

 

 

Like Katydids, crickets rub a sharp ridge on one wing against a rough part of the other. As it rubs, its wings vibrate. The vibration amplifies the sound. This singing style, known as stridulation, sounds like buzzes, chips, chirps, or clicks. Crickets. Crickets hold their wings flat on the back. Their long, slender antennae extend beyond the body. The female has a single long tube, called an ovipositor, for laying her eggs in soil or plants.

 

This is the time of year to enjoy the natural sounds of nature. Turn off you iPod and turn on your ears!

 

Naturally yours,

~denapple

Golden Ginkgo Trees

Many trees turn bright yellow in the autumn, but one of my favorites is the bright yellow Ginkgo tree, found in many locations since it is a popular landscaping tree. But this tree is unique in many ways. The trees adopt a very independent attitude to turning. Some trees will be yellow, and semi-bare, while others are still green, and still others exhibit an odd patchwork, with some yellow areas, some green. And the show doesn't last for very long, because once an individual tree decides to drop, it's all over in a few days.

The leaves are unique among seed plants, being fan-shaped with veins radiating out into the leaf blade, sometimes bifurcating (splitting) but never forming a network of veins as a maple tree for example. Two veins enter the leaf blade at the base and fork repeatedly in two; this is known as dichotomous venation. Click this photo for a closer look.

The Ginkgo is known as a living fossil, with fossils recognisably related to modern Ginkgo from the Permian, dating back 270 million years. Plant classification is a bit complex, but in evolutionary order, after the mosses and worts (no proper roots or water transport), and ferns, horsetails, and club mosses (proper roots, bear spores), we get the two big divisions, the gymnosperms ('naked seeds') and angiosperms ('covered seeds'). Angiosperms are all the plants that people put in gardens, like cabbages and dahlias. Almost all surviving gymnosperms are conifers - Christmas trees, and so on - but the group also includes cycads (tropical plants rather like palm-trees), and of course the ginkgoes. This plural is a bit odd, since there's only one species of ginkgo left now, but things were different in the days of the dinosaurs. There were many species then, with a range of leaf shapes.

How did the Ginkgo come to be in your yard? From China it was transplanted to Japan, probably by Buddhist monks in the 1100's. Englebert Kaempfer, a German botanist, wrote about it after his stay in Nagasaki (1690-1692), and by the 1730s ginkgo seeds had been brought to Holland, and a tree was growing in Utrecht. It could then be propagated by layering (since the seeds take many years to start forming), and so spread across Europe. After the War of Independence it arrived in American in 1784, where it became common.

 

Ginkgo trees have separate sexes, just like mammals, and only the female (of course) bears fruit, which is a very important thing to know. If you want to plant one in your yard be sure to get a male tree. The female tree bears seeds every other year, and they smell like vomit! Several such trees grew along the sidewalks next to a class building when I was at Ohio State University, and if you stepped on the fallen fruit, your shoes stank for days.

In addition to its use as a delicacy, the ginkgo has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is enjoying popularity now in "alternative" health circles. (Perhaps half of the websites about the ginkgo are herbal remedy sites of one sort or another.) Generally infusions from the leaves are used, and these are claimed to improve one's brain power to an amazing degree. They do contain substances which are known to improve circulation to the brain in particular; rather less believable is the original Chinese theory that the leaves must be good for the brain, because they resemble a section of the brain in shape. Also fascinating: a good number of sites advocating use of ginkgo leaf infusions claim that the seeds are toxic. That's good enough for me - I won't eat them!

Naturally yours,

~denapple

Sumac in the Fall

We all enjoy the bright colors of fall. Sometimes I can't find enough adjectives to describe the reds of maple trees and dogwoods. But the brightest red of all may be the sumac.  Sumac is a shrub or small tree, native to most of North America, although it is considered a nuisance in some places.

A variety known as Staghorn Sumac has smooth branches likened to the velvet on a deer's antlers - thus the name Staghorn. There are other varieties, which I couldn't pin down with much confidence. Look closely on the stems in this photo. See the small wings?  I think it may be the Winged Sumac.

The fruit grows in large clusters of red berries called "drupes".  (Where in the world do they get these names?) These acidic and tart berries can be eaten raw or dried, though they’re most popularly used in the form of a berry tea or beverage termed "sumac-ade," "Indian lemonade" or "rhus juice". This drink is made by soaking the drupes in cool water, rubbing them to extract the essence, straining the liquid through a cotton cloth and sweetening it. Native Americans also used the leaves and drupes of the Smooth and Staghorn Sumacs combined with tobacco in traditional smoking mixtures, and for many medicinal purposes. Sumac grows in other parts of the world as well. The fruits of the genus Rhus are ground into a deep-red or purple powder used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine to add a lemony taste to salads or meat. In Arab cuisine, it is used as a garnish on meze dishes such as hummus and is added to salads in the Levant. In Iranian (Persian and Kurdish) cuisine, sumac is added to rice or kebab.

Poison Sumac Berries

When most people hear the word sumac, they automatically think "poison sumac." Indeed one kind is related to poison ivy, and touching any part of it can induce a terrible rash. You can tell the good from the poison version by the berries. Poison sumac has white berries. Of course that doesn't help during the rest of the year, does it?

Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven

Sumac also bears a resemblance to the Ailanthus, or Tree of Heaven, which is definitely an invasive non-native plant. Both have compound leaves, but Ailanthus turns yellow and tan in the fall; staghorn sumac turns red, ranging into purples and oranges. The two plants have completely different fruit however. Both have greenish flowers at the branch tips. The Ailanthus’ come in whitish-green foamy plumes and the male flowers stink. The staghorn sumac’s flowers come in tight lime green pyramids. Ailanthus flowers mature, on the female plants only, into gold clusters of winged seeds tinged with rust (aging to light tan); staghorn sumac has fuzzy berries that go from lime to deep red.
  

Staghorn Sumac



Ailanthus

Believe it or not, comparing the leaf scars and buds points out the most interesting difference between these two trees and a few others. Ailanthus leaf scars are smile- or shield-shaped with the new bud at the top of the scar; staghorn sumac leaf scars are closer to heart-shaped and, amazingly, the new bud is right in the center of the old scar! The sumac buds are usually hairy if you look closely enough.

Enjoy all the reds of autumn at the Nature Preserve!

Naturally yours,

~denapple

Is It an Orange or Apple?

During these bright autumn days, you might notice a peculiar looking tree growing along the roadside. It looks like bright green oranges or softballs are hanging from its branches! Maclura pomifera, commonly called Osage-orange, hedge-apple, Horse-apple, Bois D'Arc, or Bodark (take your pick), is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 26–49 ft. tall. It is dioeceous, that is, having male and female flowers on different plants. The fruit, a multiple fruit, is roughly spherical, but bumpy and it is filled with a sticky white latex sap. In fall, its color turns a bright yellow-green and it has a faint odor similar to that of oranges. It is not closely related to the citrus fruit called an orange: Maclura belongs to the mulberry family, Moraceae, while oranges belong to the family Rutaceae.

The Osage-orange is native to a small area in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and southwestern Arkansas. This region is the home of the Osage Indians which gives the tree its common name. Settlers found that the Osage-orange transplanted easily, tolerated poor soils, extreme heat, and strong winds and had no serious insect or disease problems. It was widely planted in the Midwest as a living fence because, when pruned into a hedge, it provided an impenetrable barrier to livestock. The development of barbed wire curtailed its widespread planting, but many Osage-orange trees can still be found in fence rows. The wood is extremely hard, heavy, durable and shrinks or swells little compared to the wood of other trees. The wood is used for fence posts, treenails, furniture, and archery bows. In fact, many archers consider the wood of the Osage-orange to be the world's finest wood for bows. Another common name for this tree, bodark, is from the French bios d'arc meaning "bow wood." This tree also produces a bright yellow dye which can be extracted from the wood.

The fruit of the Osage-orange is a nuisance in the home landscape and has little value. Hedge apples are not an important source of food for wildlife as most birds and animals find the fruit unpalatable. The thorny trees do provide nesting and cover for wildlife. The belief about the use of hedge apples for insect control is widespread and persistent. it is claimed that placing hedge apples around the foundation or inside the basement will repel or control insects. A few years ago, Iowa State University toxicologists extracted compounds from hedge apples. When concentrated, these compounds were found to repel insects. Scientists also found that natural concentrations of these compounds in the fruit were too low to be an effective repellent. So, don't be fooled into spending much to use hedge apples as an insect repellent. If you decide to pick hedge apples to check out the repellency yourself or to use the fruit as a fall decoration, it would be wise to wear gloves. The milky juice present in the stems and fruit of the Osage-orange can irritate the skin.

Is there any use for hedge apples, other than playing softball that is? Unfortunately, the seeds are a bit difficult to extract. This is why squirrels make such a huge mess in your yard while they are eating. To get the seeds, first wash your hedge apple. Next, cut your hedge apple into slices. Inside of the hedge apple, you will find stringy flesh that you cannot eat in the center. This flesh will be surrounded by hundreds of tiny seeds that look similar sesame seeds. The seeds will be trapped in a very sticky substance inside the husk. You need to remove the seeds from the fleshy part of the apple, then wash away all of the slime. Next, dry your seeds and remove them from their tiny husks. Your hedge apples can now be roasted, just like sesame seeds. You can roast them dry or toss them in some olive oil first. When this is done, you can use the hedge apple seeds in any recipe that calls for sesame seeds. They can be used to top rolls or breads, or spread over a salad if you want to give it a slight crunch. 
I think I would prefer softball. By the way, don't let one hit you in the head - it hurts!

Naturally yours,

~denapple

Blooms Along the Brook

Historic Springhouse

Despite the record rainfall and floods of spring, the summer has been dry. Looking around the Preserve, not much seems to be in bloom.

Arrowroot in Upper Pond

Only a little water is in the upper pond, and some trickles through the springhouse, as always. The small streambed leaving the springhouse is dry and bare as it goes beneath the drive.

Goldenrod

As you walk away from the drive, the miracle of nature appears. The water from the Springhouse follows a hidden underground pathway, and suddenly it surfaces. The stream is not large or deep, but it provides the moisture needed for all the autumn wildflowers to bloom profusely.  In just a few yards, rich autumn colors and aromas draw in hundreds of pollinators, including beetles, butterflies and bees. Goldenrod is the state flower of Kentucky, and contrary to common belief, it does not cause hayfever. Its pollen is too heavy to float around; the real culprit is Ragweed, which blooms around the same time. There are about 30 species of Goldenrod, so you are right if you think it doesn't always look the same!

Jewelweed

One of my favorite late season  bloomers is the Jewelweed, which comes in this spotted orange or a yellow version. Hummingbirds and Tiger Swallowtails love the large forward curving spur which is a doorway to nectar heaven. It thrives in moist areas such as our little brook. You may know this one as Touch-me-not, becasue the seed pods burst explosively open when touched! Take a look at my friend's NatureSpeak blog for terrific details about these delicate flowers.

Jewelweed

Droplets of water standing on the leaves reflect the light and appear jewel-like, hence the common name. Juice from the mashed leaves and stems can be applied as a poultice to skin to alleviate irritation from poison ivy and the sting of nettles. If you see this, pull one of the flowers and rub it on the itch for instant relief! ~Tavia

Indian or White Snakeroot

Snakeroot contains toxins that can pass from cattle to humans through milk, which in pioneer days casued severe illness and often death.  This "milksick" disease is thought to have killed Abraham Lincoln's mother. It was often used by Native American tribes to treat fever, diarrhea, and problems of the urinary tract. ~Tavia

Ageratum or Blue Mist Flower

Tavia calls this fuzzy flower Ageratum, but I also found it identified as Blue Mist Flower. The little clusters of flowers grow so close together they do look rather misty, don't they?

Ironweed and Common Buckeye Butterfly

Fall is a good time for purple flowers...

Bull Thistle

 The Scots Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. Legend says that a Viking invader stepped on a thistle and yelled, alerting the Scots and allowing them to defend themselves from the Norsemen. This superstition continues today that whoever wears the thistle will be safe from harm - unless they step on it, of course! ~Tavia

Pokeweed

...and not only purple flowers, but purple berries.  Pokeweed is commonly called "Poke Sallet"; you may remember an old song about Poke Sallet Annie (a gator got her Grannie, chomp, chomp!) It's the only plant I can think of that has the blossom and several stages of ripening dark purple fruit on the same red stem. Just be sure not to park your car nearby, because the birds love these berries!

Early pioneers used the juice of the purple berries for ink, which led to this plant being called Inkweed. Pokeweed is well known in the south as a tasty cooked green. However, the berries, seeds, roots, and mature stems and leaves are very poisonous. ~Tavia

Nutsedge

"Sedges have edges; rushes are round; grasses are hollow right up from the ground." I love little poems that help me distinguish similar plants. Although the leaves look like grass, put your fingers on the stem of a sedge and discover that it is triangular in shape!  Do the same for a member of the mint family and you'll find that its stems are square.

Porcelain Berry Vine

Vines can be hard to tell apart too, but watch out for the Porcelain Berry vine. With indented leaves and   white/blue/purple berries with spots, it looks rather attractive, but it is highly invasive.  If you go to the Jefferson County Parks headquarters at Joe Creason Park (across from the zoo) you will find this vine growing on everything that stands still.  It will choke them out, killing everything.

The next time you visit the Nature Preserve, walk down by one of our Eagle Scout bridges and take a look at the many fall blooming wildflowers. See if you can find the watercress growing in the brook!

Naturally yours,

~denapple