Pennsylvania Native Plants 3

American Holly [Ilex opaca]. Dauphin County, Pa.

White Pine needle caught in an American Holly. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-6-24

Common Milkweed [Asclepias syriaca] seed. Dauphin county, Pa. 11-1-24

Common Milkweed [Asclepias syriaca] in seed. Dauphin county, Pa. 11-1-24

This Oak Leaf [Quercus] shows the ravages of some unknown insect, revealing the beautiful veining structure of the leaf. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-15-24

All that is left after the flower has fallen off from this American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides] is called the receptacle, now containing seeds for the next generation as it is an annual. Seeds can now be found the pouch at the end of the dried tubular receptacle. Looking closely you can see tiny droplets that are the oil glands full of aromatic chemicals, that give this plant its wonderful fragrance. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-28-24

Dogane [Apocynum cannabinum] seed. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-18-24

American Holly [Ilex opaca] with fruit. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-27-24

Witch Hazel fruit and its beautiful ebony colored seeds [Hamamelis virginiana].

This fruit of Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] shown with flowers, the fruit have opened and expelled their seeds. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-10-24

This fruit of Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] has opened and the one of its two seeds has been ejected, the other is a undeveloped seed. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-10-24

Dogbane seed [Apocynum cannabinum] just waiting for the right gust of wind . Dauphin County, Pa. 10-18-24

Dogbane in seed [Apocynum cannabinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-18-24

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-15-24

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] fruit with seeds that haven't been ejected. Dauphin county, Pa. 10-15-12

Wild Raisin [Viburnum cassinoides]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 10-9-24

White Oak Leaves [Quercus alba]. Dauphin County Pa. 10-12-24

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-6-24

Fruit from Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-4-24. One day soon, when the temperature is just right, these nut like structures will open and as if shot by springs the seeds of the Witch Hazel will shoot up to 30 feet away for its parent tree. A fascinating way for this wonderful plant to disperse its ebony colored seeds, just one more reason to love and appreciate this native plant.

American Chestnut [Castanea dentata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-3-24. This tree is the largest American Chestnut that I am aware of, and it certainly has battled the chestnut blight over the years, but it still survives and fights on. Every year it seems to have an abundance of burrs and this year is no exception, but the nuts inside are never very big as seen in one of the pictures.

American Chestnut [Castanea dentata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-3-24.

Witch Hazel in flower [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-9-24

Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens] next years flower buds. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-19-24

Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata]. This plant was flowering on August 5 and after 52 days on September 22 has friut and seeds, and some plants still have flowers hanging on. Dauphin County, Pa.

Rabbit Tobacco [Pseudognaphalium obusifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-22-24

On August 12 this American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides] was in full bloom and 40 days later on September 22 is now in fruit [ssed]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-22-24

On August 12 this American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides] was in full bloom and 40 days later on September 22 is now in fruit [seed]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-22-24

Lest you think that invasive plants don't do much harm or count for much, this area once held a large population of American Pennyroyal, hundreds if not thousands of plants. Now all that remains is this one lone solitary plant as it struggles against a sea of Japanese stilt Grass. Dauphin County, Pa.

White Wood Aster [Aster divaricatus]. Luzerne County, Pa. 9-2-24

A sure sign of the changing of the seasons, white, then dark pink and finally into a shreiveled purple. Hence the name "Wild Rasin" and birds and other wildlife love them! [Cassinoides nudum]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 9-2-24

Swamp Cranberry [Vaccinium oxycoccus]. Luzerne County, Pa. 9-2-24

American Climbing Fern [Lygodium palmatum]. Luzerne County, Pa. 9-2-24

Closed Bottle Gentain [Gentiana andrewsii]. Luzerne County, Pa. 9-2-24