WriterByNature.com

November 21, 2008 8:01 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Whether you’re a forager or a gardener, it’s useful to have a common vocabulary when talking about how plants grow. Here is a list of the more commonly used words for:

Flower Parts (more…)

November 14, 2008 6:48 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Leaf Shapes and Patterns

Alternate: leaves growing separately  and at different heights from each side of the stem

Opposite: leaves growing across from each other on the stem

Petiole: the stem that supports the leaf

Lobe: a rounded protrusion of a leaf (more…)

November 7, 2008 5:57 am

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Plant Growth and Life Span

Annual: a plant that lives for one growing season.

Biennial: a plant with a two-year growth cycle, the first year as a rosette, the second as a flowering stalk.

Herbaceous: a plant with no woody tissues that survive above ground from one year to the next.

Vegetative reproduction: a plant that does not use seeds to reproduce. (more…)

October 25, 2008 9:21 pm

This is one of a series of articles designed to equip any naturalist with words that enhance learning and make field observation easier. Here are the botanical terms for:

Plant Parts Below the Soil

Root – supports the stem and stores water and food for the plant.

Rhizome – a stem growing underground, often horizontally.

Tuber – a swollen, fleshy part of an underground stem.

Bulb – an underground leaf, which stores nutrient reserves.

Corm – an underground stem, which stores food.

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September 29, 2008 6:58 am

Each of the five tiny petals on the umbel of a wild carrot flower is larger (or smaller) than the one next to it. I never noticed, until Sam Thayer pointed out that remarkable detail.

If you look closely at the tiny white flower petals on the top right, you can see for yourself.

Even if I were the best forager in the world, I’d continue to attend classes taught by well-respected foragers. Luckily, Sam found his way to Hawk Circle, where he expanded my writerbynature abilities in more ways than one.

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June 20, 2008 12:13 pm

With all the trouble in the world, I can’t help but feel hopeful when I see a wood frog,

These frogs migrate long distances to breed, so the sight of this reptile means that there’s sufficient habitat to support them on one of my favorite trails .

I did find a few milkweed buds to eat before these flowers burst into full bloom.

A mocking bird stopped by to check me out while I was foraging. I feel like I’ve succeeded in blending in with the natural world when animals approach me.

September 2, 2007 4:37 pm

I don’t know what made the rhododendron outside my apartment window bloom.

But it’s nice to see.

It has been a sunny, but cool and low-humidity day, making it perfect for a hike.

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August 15, 2007 1:54 am

I knew that indigo, marigold, and walnut, among others, make excellent fabric dyes. I now know that the following plants also make excellent dyes:

1. Bergamot
2. Bloodroot
3. Coltsfoot
4. Coreopsis
5. Echinacea
6. Yarrow

I also learned that cream of tartar works to keep colors from bleeding and it’s safer than alum. Read on for a basic recipe on how to make dyes from plants: (more…)

August 13, 2007 3:53 am

Organizer Nicole Carman is a genius. This event brought 182 participants to Mt. Pisgah State Park to participate in events ranging from kayaking and horseback riding to firearms, ATV safety, and wild game cooking.

If you can do it in the outdoors, there was someone to teach you how in a mini-workshop. I learned about WITO from my friend, Bird Lady, who attended as a participant this year, rather than a presenter. (more…)

July 27, 2007 1:11 pm

Rain, heat and humidity are just what mushrooms need. I added my morning harvest of gem studded puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

And oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

to other sautéed veggies for a tasty lunch.

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