When I was in school, one of the fun things I learned was how to identify trees and shrubs in the wintertime without seeing blossoms and foliage. Since the deciduous woody plants dropped their leaves in their dormancy, we at first thought that there were less clues to identify the plants. However, we found out that there are many clues (more than we thought!) available in the wintertime even though the plants look bare.</p> Shape of trees and shrubs</strong></p> Each kind of tree and shrub has own growing habit. </p> Elm trees (Ulmus</em> spp.) and linden trees (Tilia</em> spp.) tend to grow upright and develop an elegant "vase shape."</li> Hawthorns (Crataegus</em> spp.) and crabapple (Malus</em> spp.) grow rather horizontally.</li> Some tree and shrub branches have a straight growing habit, but others have a weeping form or a slightly more jagged shape.</li> </ul> Bark</strong></p> The texture and color of bark can be a good clue to narrow down and identify the plants.</p> The cherry tree (Prunus</em> spp.) and crabapple (Malus</em> spp.) often have reddish smooth bark compared to ash trees (Fraxinus</em> spp.) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum</em>), which have greyish ribbed bark.</li> Weeping birch (Betula pendula</em>) and paper-bark maple (Acer griseum</em>) have a uniquely characteristic shredded bark.</li> </ul> Twigs</strong></p> One good clue is to take a closer look at twigs to see how the buds are forming.</p> If the buds are arranged in pairs along a stem or shoot, it’s called "opposite"</strong> such as maple (Acer </em>spp.), ash (Fraxinus</em> spp.) and horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum</em>).</li> If the buds are forming singly on alternate stems or shoots, not in pairs or whole, it’s called "alternate"</strong> such as crabapple (Malus</em> spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus</em> spp.) and oak (Quercus</em> spp.).</li> </ul> Buds</strong></p> Take a closer look at buds to see their shape, color and detailed parts.</p> Notice pointy buds (serviceberry, Amelanchier</em> spp.), round buds (oak, Quercus</em> spp. and ash, Fraxinus </em>spp.) and hairy buds (magnolia, Magnolia</em> spp.).</li> The bud scar of white ash (Fraxinus americana</em>) looks like a smile as it curves, but the bud scar of the green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica</em>) is straight, not smiling.</li> In January to early February, you can often find dark, maroon-colored blooms of silver maple (Acer saccarinum</em>) on the sidewalk as squalls and birds pick them from the twigs.</li> </ul> Fruits</strong></p> Seed pod: (Kentucky coffee tree, Gymnocladus dioicus</em>, desert willow, Chilopisis linearis</em>, catalpa tree Catalpa speciosa</em>)</li> Samara: dry-winged seed, either single like that of the elm, or double like that of the maples (Acer </em>spp.)</li> Capsule: a dry seed pod that split open when ripe such as burning bush (Euonymus alatus</em>)</li> Catkin: A dense spike of small, petalless, often unisexual flowers, most often found on wind-pollinated trees or shrubs such as mountain alder (Alnus incana</em> spp., tenuifolia).</li> </ul> </p> Good luck with your investigation while you are walking around the Gardens on a nice winter day!</p>
Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes: bats, moths, bees, hummingbirds and even some rodents move pollen from one flower to another, sparking the cycle of life. Thanks to these incredible creatures, we live in a world full of beautiful blooming flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables. While some pollinator populations are in decline, there are plenty of ways humans can help these critters live their best lives.</p> Learn more about pollinators and what you can do to keep them happy and thriving by joining us for Pollinator Day</strong></a>, Friday, June 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. </strong></p> Stop by the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbaria of Vascular plants to discover the arthropod collection, featuring bugs found onsite and in the field by scientists.</span> </span></li> Join a guide and explore the gardens to learn more about pollinator relationships in action.</span> </span></li> Chat with community partners like the Audubon Society, Butterfly Pavilion and the Xerces Society about what you can do to protect pollinators.</span> </span></li> Make pollinator-inspired art with the School of Botanical Art & Illustration.</span> </span></li> And more!</span> </span></li> </ul> Life as we know it would not exist without pollinators. Whether you are a gardener, a bug enthusiast, or just a person who likes breathing clean air and eating fresh food, come celebrate these small but mighty creatures who help our planet bloom. </span> </span></p>
It is a common misconception that all orchid flowers are highly fragrant. The fact is many orchids have little or no fragrance at all. While taking time to “stop and smell the orchids” may be an exercise in futility, there are other reasons to slow down and appreciate the intricacies of orchid flowers. Most flowers have many specialized structures in common – orchids have just put their own spin on many of these shared features. </p> Many non-orchid flowers have a whorl of protective leaf-like structures at the base of each blossom known as sepals. Orchids also have sepals, but they are frequently colorful and rather than having a leaf-like appearance, they more closely resemble the petals of the flower.</p> What most of us recognize as the actual flower is a collection of flower petals. In most flowers, all the petals are fairly similar. In orchid flowers, one petal is distinctly modified to form a landing platform or guide for pollinators. This modified petal is called a lip, or labellum. </p> Together, the sepals and petals form what is known as the perianth. The perianth may serve to attract or guide pollinators to the sexual parts of the flower, but it is generally not directly involved in the reproductive process of the plant.</p> The reproductive parts of a flower are the female pistil (including the stigma, style, and ovary) and the male stamen (including the filament and anther). In most flowers, these are all distinctive individual structures. In orchids, they are fused into one collective part known as the column. Orchids also have unique pollen. While most flowers produce tiny dust like pollen grains, orchid pollen is held in sticky masses known as pollinia.</p> As you enjoy the orchid blossoms on display during the Orchid Showcase, be sure to take time to look closer and admire the details of the orchid flowers that Mother Nature has spent so much time perfecting.</p> The Orchid Showcase</a> is on view now through February 21 in the Orangery and is included with general admission. Be sure to check it out! </p>
