ID Maryland native?

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

Trying you guys first . Along a trail in sandy woodlands mixed pine and hardwood Anne Arundel Co. Might be non native as there are invasive plants along this stretch of trail before you get farther into the forest.

Thumbnail by sallyg Thumbnail by sallyg Thumbnail by sallyg Thumbnail by sallyg
Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a)

Sally, can you get a clearer photo of the flowers so one can determine the structure?

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

I'm sorry to say, it may take a week to go back there. All the flowers were wilted closed at noon that day, I picked at the one to try and show at least show petal shape/ didn't do too well at that. Thanks for looking.

I was curious about this one due to the oddly shaped basal leaves, long base going into that broader end. pic 2

Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a)

Sally, why don't you post this on the Plant ID forum? I for one would really like to see it ID'd.

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

Sadly, not a native. It's Elephantopus scaber, which interestly enough USDA lists as "excluded". I first saw it in the forest near my house about 2 years ago, and I'm seeing more and more of it. It is an interesting plant, though, and apparently has anti-carcinogenic properties.

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

wow, thanks, Muddy.

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

I was really impressed when I posted it for an ID and someone in China recognized it almost right away! http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1329800/

This message was edited Aug 12, 2015 8:49 PM

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

wow, thanks, Muddy.
but here's the definition they use for excluded
an accepted name, but the plant is no longer thought to occur in the PLANTS Floristic Area.
so do we call the plant police, or somebody, and say it may actually exist here?

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

I've been pulling it up as I see it even though it's not terribly invasive yet.

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

I think I tried to report it on a site set up to track non-native invasive plants in Fairfax County, but I never heard from anyone. Sure, I think it would be great to get the word out. There is a way to report new sightings to USDA, but it struck me as a lot of paper work!

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

I'm sure they don't want to /don't have staff to sift through a lot of bad IDs from amateurs.

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

It's hard to hate a plant that apparently kills cancer cells and has other medical value as well (or should I say "exhibits a vast range of pharmacological activities"), but I'm still pulling it up : - )
http://pharmacologia.com/abstract.php?doi=pharmacologia.2014.272.285

This message was edited Aug 12, 2015 9:01 PM

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

that's impressive!!!

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

Actually, not so hard-looking after all. We should report it! http://plants.usda.gov/du/DistributionUpdate.html

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

Man, it's good for your memory, too! Maybe I should start eating the plants I find LOL! http://www.ijnpnd.com/article.asp?issn=2231-0738;year=2014;volume=4;issue=1;spage=64;epage=68;aulast=Sahoo

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

Quote from Muddy1 :
Man, it's good for your memory, too! Maybe I should start eating the plants I find LOL! http://www.ijnpnd.com/article.asp?issn=2231-0738;year=2014;volume=4;issue=1;spage=64;epage=68;aulast=Sahoo


I thought about eating them or trying to start a population in my yard, too!

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

I pulled up 15-20 plants from the creek area tonight. I was pretty brutal, so some came up with no roots. At least 1/3 came up with complete root systems, I think, so I'll try to save them. I'm going back there tomorrow to plant some Yellow Giant Hyssop and maybe some more NE Asters (deer haven't eaten the ones I planted last week, yay!), and I can dig up E. scaber and plant Hyssop in its place.

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

http://uswildflowers.com/detail.php?SName=Elephantopus%20carolinianus
Checking this

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

The Destructor...

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

Yikes! The ones I pulled up might be E. carolinianus. I feel terrible. At least most are sitting in a bucket of water so I can replant them tomorrow.

I'm glad you found that plant, Sally; I never thought to question the E. scaber ID because it seemed to fit.

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

I might have cited this in PLant ID forum, but adding here for future ref.
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=111427

The key at the bottom seems to nail mine as carolinianus- leaves cauline (on the stem, not basal) I have new pics of plants in place that show this. (Tomorrow or later)

I found dozens of plants today, with my eyes peeled for them.

Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

I'm pretty sure the ones I'm seeing are E. carolinianus, too.

Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b)

Plant in situ showing 'leaves at bloom cauline ' I think. I found dozens of these on Saturday when I was actually looking for them.

Thumbnail by sallyg
Vienna, VA(Zone 7a)

Here are photos showing the leaves of the Elephantopus around here.
They're all growing along the creek; they seem to prefer its sandy banks. Fortunately, in spite of my misguided efforts to pull them up, they're still fairly widespread. The ones I replanted look as if they might make it.

Thumbnail by Muddy1 Thumbnail by Muddy1

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