Day 16: Texas Beach
Environment: northbank trail of the river, south-facing slopes, medium sunlight, tall canopy, river is immediate, moist and sandy soils, flat surface
1. Bladdernut – highly abundant, moist soil, patchy sunlight, edge of trail
2. Spicebush – abundant, moist soil, edge of trail, patchy sunlight, some bushes with berries
3. Black Locust – young plant, rare, only one around, understory, moist soil
4. Honeysuckle Vine – common, moist soil, some with large leaves
5. Pokeweed – very tall, common, in medium sunlight, moist soil
6. Pink Knotweed – swampy area, common, medium sunlight
7. Honewort – edge of trail, common, medium to patchy sunlight, moist soil
8. Boxelder – common, edge of trail, in the canopy getting full sun
9. American Elm – abundant, edge of river bank, moist sandy soil, full sun
10. American Sycamore – abundant, edge of river bank, moist sandy soil, full sun
11. River Birch – abundant, edge of river bank, moist sandy soil, full sun
12. American Holly – edge of trail away from water, moist soil, understory, medium to patchy sunlight
13. Grape Vine – common, moist soil, away from water
14. Grape Mahonia – rare, only one around, away from water
15. Rose of Sharon – abundant
16. American Beech – only one around, rare, in the canopy, full sun, moist soil
17. Spotted Touch Me Not – common, wet soil, shaded area, near the water
18. White Mulberry – highly abundant, young and adult trees, on the edge of the trail, away from water, moist soil, medium to full sunlight
19. Mockernut Hickory – in the understory, shaded area, young plant, moist soil
20. Saint John’s Wort – larger plant than previously seen, in the shade, partial sun, with flowers, moist soil, edge of trail near the river
Day 15: Honey Locust
- full sun
- moist, sandy soil
- in the river
- some leaves are different colors based on their access to sunlight
Day 15: Poison Hemlock
- full sunlight
- edge of parking lot
- dark, purple, spotted stems
- only poisonous when ingested
Day 15: Primrose
- abundant patch
- full sun
- moist soil
- in a patch of ground ivy, bermuda grass, and red stem filaree
- growing along the meadow in front the river
Day 15: Crown Vetch
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133047072@N08/18719436848/in/dateposted-public/
- highly abundant
- full sun
- growing in a patch of grape vine, raspberry, and passion flower vine
- moist soil
Day 15: Button Bush
- opposite, simple
- leaves are medium and pointy
- pubescent on backside
- red stem, red petiole
- distinct, round bulbs not fully in bloom yet
- urban environment
- in the river
- full sun
- semi-aquatic
Day 15: Horse Nettle
Day 15: Red Stem Filaree
- full sunlight
- moist soil
- distant from the river bank
- growing in a patch of primrose and Bermuda grass
Day 15: How Plants Along the River Survive Flooding
When we experience increased precipitation, mammals will normally respond by seeking shelter from the storm. But what about the life of the immobile – what do they do? Plants have longed evolved adaptations to surmount gas deprivation by specialized root systems known as adventitious roots. These roots are produced from the shoot cells, grow aerially to capture carbon dioxide and release oxygen above the water surface, and allow for propagation. Examples of plants with this adaptation include: black willow, american sycamore, and river birch.
A secondary method by which gas exchange occurs during a submergence or flood is known as having “cypress knees”. Cypress trees are famous for having laterally-extending woody projections from the top of the soil to access the air. These knees are also known for the structural role they play.