Wood Frog Eggs: Wildflower certification 3: Wetland plants

On August 23rd, 2014, the Wildflower Certification class visited three locations to learn about wetalnd plants. I was able to attend the part of the class at Dragon Run park in Delaware City. I have added some pictures of wetland plants from separate days at the Dupont Environmental Education Center, Ashland Nature Center, and Lums Pond State Park.

The Swamp Rose Mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, is a perennial with toothed alternate leaves. The flower blooms through the summer. There is even a Rose Mallow bee that is a specialist pollinator of this flower.

Halberd-leaved tearthumb (Polygonum arifolium) is a vinelike wildflower in the smartweed family. It has alternate leaves. The barbs that give it the "tearthumb" part of its name, visible in this picture, help it climb over other plants. It make a good protective cover for wildlife.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a shrub in the Rubaciae family. It is recognizable by its ball-like flowers. It has leaves in twos or threes.

Wool grass (Scirpus cyperinus) is actually a sedge. It is a perennial with alternate leaves that gets its name from its fluffy-looking flowers.

Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is in the Touch-me-not family. It has an irregular flower and alternate, toothed leaves.

Marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris) grows from one to two and a half feet tall. It is a twice-cut fern with alternating fronds.

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Botrychium dissectum) grows to about a foot. The fronds in this picture have lacy edges, but that is not always the case with this plant. It is sometimes confused with the rattlesnake fern. On the left, you can see the fertile frond with grapelike sori that give the plant its name.

Cardinal flower is a perennial wetland flower with long, narrow red blooms. The shape of the flower is suited to.long beaks of hummingbirds, which are a major pollinator. The picture below shows Cardinal flower next to Rose Mallow at the Dupont Envirinmental Education Center.