The candles of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) light up the dark woods in early July at the preserve. Also called bugbane, this plant's unpleasant odor was used to repel bugs.
Kids at camp found this small snapping turtle. Kind of cute when they're small, right? Last week I saw one in the Schuykill River while I was standing on the Falls Bridge. It looked large enough to give me a ride, were it so inclined. I reckoned it was not.
A plant that is growing along the creek here, and even occasionally in the roadside drainage ditches, is monkey flower (Mimulus ringens). Blooming now, the flower is supposed to look like a monkey's face.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a wonderful shrub that reliably attracts butterflies. Found throughout the wetlands here, the roots sometimes form an elevated, protective crown that wildlife uses for shelter. I planted one in the yard, to replace a non-native (and apparently invasive) butterfly bush, and have been pleased with it.
We have a lot more of the native fringed loostrife (Lysimachia ciliata) this year than I have seen before, and I am happy to see it. This plant is no relation to purple loostrife (Lythrum salicaria), an invasive plant that chokes wetlands. Even though their common names are remarkably similar, they are not even in the same families (Primulaceae vs. Lythraceae).
