Author: lirwin

The particular cluster of goldenrods I located on campus did not have the signature yellow flowers sprouting from the top. They were almost unidentifiable goldenrod had it not been for their height and the shape of their leaves, that I later researched. After learning about the goldenrod, I discovered some incredible facts. For starters, no one is allergic to this plant; there is virtually no pollen on the goldenrod and the pollen that is there can only be spread by insects, not by the wind (which is what usually sparks allergies). Additionally, the goldenrod is edible and very healthy to eat. This plant is usually used to decorate salads, create healing, herbal tea, and/or add flavor to delicious soups and stews.

Source: http://www.ediblewildfood.com/goldenrod.aspx

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5980112

Tree squirrels seem to really love college campuses. In my hometown back in Maryland, tree squirrels have practically taken over the University of Maryland at College Park. These are no ordinary squirrels either; they are intrepid enough to steal food from students’ bags or even approach students to beg for food. While the squirrels here at St. Edward’s aren’t nearly as approachable or bold, they are certainly just as abundant. Just the other day I was sitting under a tree and 3 squirrels came leaping from it, chasing each other around me and the trunk of the tree before climbing back up again. They seemed unconcerned with my presence and frequently crawled around me as they made their way to and from the tree I was using for shade. The tree squirrel belongs to the genus Sciurus and is the most common genus in North America. Although I was unable to identify the specific species I observed, the bug, bushy tail was a clear indication that the fauna I observed belonged to this genus and could therefore be named a “Tree Squirrel.”

Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/45994-Sciurus

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5980182

One of the best ways to describe this flower is by using the word “droopy.” The Echinacea purpurea is a beautiful and long flower with petals that droop downward from a brown, spiny central disk. Aside from the fascinating information I learned about the flower, I think the most significant detail is the fact that this flower serves a purpose other than aesthetic beauty – it can be used to cook healing, herbal tea. The flowers create an extract that may be turned into a pill or liquid that can be sold in pharmacies or health stores as a supplement that strengthens the immune system. I find this particularly interesting because I would have never expected that this beautiful flower had any sort of practical qualities. When I found this flower on campus, it came up to my waist. It was a statement flower that stood proudly over the shrubbery surrounding it. Little did I know that it was a powerful flower in more ways than one.

Source: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ecpu

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5489649

The House Sparrow, known in some communities as the Passer domesticus, is a small songbird that populates North America. This is one of the most adaptive birds in the world. It has successfully survived in urban areas and farming areas by associating itself with humans. They live among humans, within manmade structures and aggressively defending their homes against threats. They feed on seeds and insects and even from waste material (crumbs) found in human garbage. These spastic and incredible little birds can be found all over campus. Though small, they are resourceful survivors. I love watching them fly around.

Source: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/house-sparrow

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5862761

Oenothera speciosa, also known as the pink evening primrose, is a small, 4-petal flower distributed along southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. As the name reveals, this flower tends to open mainly during the evening hours and close in the early morning. One can usually find the pink lady in plains, prairies, meadows, and/or hillsides. I, for one, located these pretty little flowers on a grassy hillside on campus. For now, they will be very abundant due to the high moisture in the soil and the consistent rain. However, during the summer they will become dormant until they can re-colonize in their preferred soil with the perfect balance between dry and moist. I think the best way to describe these little plants is the word “cute.”

Source: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=oesp2

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5481771

This dainty and bright little flower practically made my day. Thelesperma is a genus belonging to the Asteraceae family. I was walking through campus on a relatively cloudy day with my eyes glued to the ground. As I cut through the grass, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a spot of yellow – the thelesperma. This small little flower caught my attention because of its brightness against a largely green backdrop. It was like a miniature sun or a drop of sunlight had fallen to brighten my cloudy day. Although my particular observation was of a single flower, this genus tends to grow in large colonies. They usually bloom from mid-spring to early summer, and their native habitat is largely along dry, sandy soil. My specific observation was an outlier to some of the conditions its genus would normally subscribe to but I choose to believe that it sprouted there for the sole purpose of catching my attention.

Source: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=thfi

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5445073

I was attracted to the Blanket flower because of its vibrant color; the bright yellow and fire truck red that decorated the petals made the flower stand out against the grass background. Blanket flowers usually grow to be 10-12 inches in height and are considered “low maintenance” flowers that can be grown in the home or in home gardens. With a solitary flower head, the petals on these flowers are alternately arranged, varying the shape and style of the flower. They belong to the Gaillardia genus of the sunflower family, hence the bright coloration. St. Edward’s specifically, one can find an abundance of these flowers along the South Congress Ave entrance to the campus. Despite their home here on the hilltop, these flowers actually inspired the school colors of Texas State University (maroon and old gold). Out of all of my observations, I think this was the most beautiful. It is hard to ignore these flowers.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaillardia

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5445071

Apiaceae is a family of parsley, carrot, and celery. The main identifying factor of this family is the inflorescence, the way all of the leaves/clusters of flowers are arranged on a single stem. It almost looks like a complicated entanglement of roots above ground. This inflorescence often combine to create umbels, which are short clusters of flower stalks that grow on a single stem making them look like an open umbrella. The particular species found on campus is part of the carrot family. Its technical name is Chaerophyllum bulbosum. Although no one would think to eat it now, this species was often turned into soup during the 19^th century. This edible root was cultivated in parts of Europe, but has long since been forgotten by the United States. After having learned about it, it is fascinating to see such a plant spring up on our campus. I had the great fortune of meeting the plant in the courtyard between JBWS and JBWN. I don’t think I’ll ever look at it the same way again.

Source: http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/api.htm

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5434112

The White-winged Dove (known in some communities as the zenaida asiatica) is a summer resident here at St. Edward’s University. This delicate bird tends to keep a consistent migration pattern, traveling south towards Mexico in the fall and nesting in southwestern states during spring and summer. Making homes along streams, river woods, groves, brush lands, and a few deserts, these creatures tend to gravitate toward semi-open habitats that can provide them sufficient resources. My encounter with the white-winged dove was mainly a result of their crowing calls. At first, I found it difficult to locate the bird because of how well it blended into the trees. Their calls were the only clues I had to follow, daring me to find them using my ears rather than my eyes. Once I located one, I scrambled to photograph it as it fed on the flowers and fruit of the trees, its normal diet. They are an abundant and adaptive species that has greatly fascinated me.

Source: http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-winged-dove

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5434085

Brambles are a very common bush or vine with very thorny and/or tangled, prickly stems. They usually carry small fruits on their branches – most notably, dewberries, blackberries, or raspberries. They belong to the Rubus genus, a genus with an incredible amount of variations. Although the most common rubus genus (Rubus fruticosus) is usually found in abundance on the British Isles, in the United States the common rubus genus is the Rubus idaeus, or the raspberry bramble. They are able to grow in a variety of locations and climates – some members of this genus can thrive in rocky, open areas while others prefer dense forests with plenty of shade. The specific bramble that I captured had not yet sprouted any fruit and was, therefore, unable to be identified as specifically as one would have hoped. However, I have no doubt that we will soon see what this bush has in store because I definitely plan on checking in on it every now and again as a result of my initial observation.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus

Observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5433889