Download FV Field Guide w:correction everything but cover X

A Field Guide of trees, shrubs, flowering
plants so that residents of Friendship Village
Chesterfield will get some help in identifying the
diverse flora found on and/or near the 34 acres we
all now call home. Descriptions and pictures
largely have been copied from Internet and
believed to be accurate for purposes of this Field Guide. Specific locations are given for
most plants and many are tied to the 60 numbered Light Poles, clockwise on the Ring
Road starting L.P. # 1 at Entrance Door # 3, and ending at L.P. # 60 near the Maintenance
Shop at the edge of the Employee Parking Lot. There are seven Entrance doors and 36 Villas that also
can be used to help identify the location of a plant.
Amaryllis 1 [aka Naked Ladies] The leaves are produced in the autumn or
early spring in warm climates depending on the onset of rain and
eventually die down by late spring. The bulb is then dormant until late
summer. The plant is not frost-tolerant, nor does it do well in tropical
environments since they require a dry resting period between leaf growth
and flower spike production. From the dry ground in late summer
(August in zone 7) each bulb produces one or two leafless stems 30–
60!cm tall, each of which bears a cluster of 2 to 12 funnel-shaped flowers
at their tops. Each flower is 6–10!cm diameter with six tepals (three outer
sepals, three inner petals, with similar appearance to each other). The
usual color is white with crimson veins, but pink or purple also occur
naturally. Either side of entrance to Trillium Trail at the edge of the lawn
behind the Garage # 40 ~ exit Door # 4 of Friendship Village retirement
complex.
American Holly 2 It is a medium-sized broad leaved
evergreen tree growing to 10–20 meters tall,
exceptionally up to 30 meters tall, with a trunk
diameter typically up to 50!cm, exceptionally 120!cm.
The bark is light gray, roughened by small warty
lumps. The branchlets are stout, green at first and
covered with rusty down, later smooth and brown. The
winter buds are brown, short, obtuse or acute. The
leaves are alternate, 5–7.5!cm long and 2–4!cm broad,
stiff, yellow green and dull matte to sub-shiny above
(distinctly less glossy than the otherwise fairly similar
European Holly Ilex aquifolium, often pale yellow
beneath; the edges are curved into several sharp, spike-like points, and a wedge-shaped base and acute
apex; the midrib is prominent and depressed, the primary veins conspicuous; the petiole is short, stout,
grooved, thickened at base, with a pair of minute stipules. The leaves remain on the branches for two to
three years, finally falling in the spring when pushed off by growing buds. Light Pole 42-43
American Yellowwood 3 (Cladrastis kentukea) The
American Yellowwood can put on one of the most
spectacular flowering displays of any tree species. The
blossoms appear in late spring, when numerous
wisteria-like foot-long flower clusters droop from the
branches. The color is normally white, but can be pink.
In either case, a mature tree in full bloom is a stunning
sight. In recognition of its beauty, the species was
given the prestigious Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society Gold Award in 1994. Unfortunately, many
people have never seen the tree in bloom. The species
is rare in the wild and seldom planted in yards. Also,
most specimens don't flower profusely every year, but
only at two to four year intervals. Picture is of Villa 5
& 7 May 2010 a vintage year!
Ash 4 Fraxinus spp. Family Oleaceae (Olive family) Most
ash species are deciduous and commonly seen as street trees
and larger garden trees. Their size varies by species, but they
are usually large and grow between 40 and 60 feet. Fraxinus spp. are
fast growing trees and widely adaptable to various climates and soil
types. They grow best in full sun. Most species do best with regular
watering except flowering ash, Oregon ash, and foothill ash, which do
best with infrequent summer water. Specimens in backyard Villa 9 &
11, Quadrangle near Entrance Door # 5, near Light Pole # 47
Azaleas 5 Azaleas are flowering shrubs making up part of the genus
Rhododendron. Originally azaleas were classed as a different genus of
plant, but now they are recognized as two of the eight subgenera of
rhododendrons - Pentanthera (deciduous) and Tsutsuji (evergreen).
F-V front yard Villa # 42
Bald Cyprus 6 Unlike most other species in the family
Cupressaceae, it is deciduous, losing the leaves in the winter
months, hence the name 'bald'. The tallest known individual
specimen, near Williamsburg, Virginia, is 145 feet tall, and
the stoutest known, in the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, has 17 feet diameter. Cultivation is successful far to the
north of its native range, north to southern Canada. It is also commonly
planted in Europe, Asia and elsewhere with temperate to subtropical
climates. It does however require continental climates with hot summers for
good growth. Entrance Door # 5 inside the Quadrangle, woods north of
Villa # 24, and on the lawns bordering the Olive Boulevard entrance sign.
Basswood 7 [aka Linden & Bass] Tilia is a genus of about 30
species of trees native throughout most of the temperate
Northern Hemisphere, in Asia (where the greatest species
diversity is found), Europe and eastern North America. In
Europe, Tilia trees are known to have reached ages measured in
centuries.
Beach 8 It is a deciduous tree growing to 66–115 ft tall,
with smooth, silver-gray bark. The leaves are dark green,
simple and sparsely-toothed with small teeth, 2.4–4.7 in
long rarely 5.9!in, with a short petiole. The winter twigs
are distinctive among North American trees, being long
and slender 0.59–0.79 in by 0.079–0.12 in with two rows
of overlapping scales on the buds. The tree is
monoecious, with flowers of both sexes on the same tree.
The fruit is a small, sharply-angled nut, borne in pairs in
a soft-spined, four-lobed husk. American Fagus
grandifolia 1995 circumference 24 feet, 112 ft tall,
Anne Arundel Co., MD
Friendship Village
Chesterfield has a large specimen off the Traffic Circle
and behind Garage #69-70 on right while facing
Entrance Portico.
Birch - White 9 This species grows wild throughout northern North
America, and can be found in woods, most easily identified by its pure
white bark that peels off the trunk in thin, paper-like layers. Another of this
plant's common names, paper birch, and its scientific name, Betula
papyrifera, which means paper- bearing birch, reflect the paper-like nature
of the tree's outer bark. Near Health Center Parking
Blackberry, Thornless 10 The blackberry is an edible fruit
produced by any of several species in the Rubus genus of the
Rosaceae family. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed
an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The plants typically
have biennial canes and perennial roots. Blackberries and raspberries
are also called caneberries or brambles. It is a widespread, and well
known group of over 375 species, many of which are closely related
apomictic microspecies native throughout the temperate northern
hemisphere and South America. Friendship Village Chesterfield
planting edge of wooded area near Cedar Trail & Villa 24
Box Elder 11 Indicative of its familiarity to many people over a large geographic
range, Acer negundo has numerous common names. The names "Box Elder" and
"Boxelder Maple" are based upon the similarity of its whitish wood to that of
boxwood and the similarity of its pinnately compound leaves with those of some
species of elder. This is the only North American maple with compound leaves. Unlike most
other maples, A. negundo is fully dioecious and both a "male" and "female" tree are needed for
either to reproduce.
ArrowHead Estates Road easement right away immediately East of
metal gate and in the line of Black Walnuts.
Boxwood 12 Boxwood (genus) or Buxus, a genus of about 70
species of shrubs and trees in the family Buxaceæ, including
Buxus sempervirens or common boxwood.
Burning Bush 13 Euonymus alatus, known variously
as Winged Spindle, Winged Euonymus or Burning
Bush, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern Asia, in
central and northern China, Japan, and Korea. The
shrub grows to 8.2 feet tall, often wider than tall. The
stems are notable for their four corky ridges or
"wings". This plant is an invasive species of
woodlands in eastern North America, and its
importation and sale is prohibited in the states of
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Used as
screening for FV electrical boxes near garages # 33 &
#34, across from Light Poles #3 & 4
Castorbean
14 The
castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, is a "native of
tropical Africa cultivated in several varieties for the oil found in its leaves
and for its bold foliage." The seeds from the castor bean plant are
poisonous to people, animals and insects The soft-spined fruits containing
attractively mottled seeds are distinctive features of the plant. A large
specimen can be found most years near Door 6,
Catalpa 15 speciosa, commonly known as the Northern catalpa, Hardy
catalpa, Western catalpa, Cigar tree, and Catawba-tree, is a species of
Catalpa that is native to the midwestern United States in Arkansas. The
leaves, deciduous, opposite (or whorled), are large, heart shaped, 20-30
cm long and 15-20 cm broad, pointed at the tip and softly hairy beneath.
The flowers are 3-6 cm across, trumpet shaped, white with yellow
stripes and purple spots inside; they grow in panicles of 10-30. The
catalpa tree is the last tree to grow leaves in the spring. Beautiful
Specimen can be seen from Exit Door #6. Look to Faust Park and the
tree is adjacent to Arrowhead Estates Road at the edge of Faust Park.
Near Light Pole # 23
Cedar 16 Juniperus virginiana Eastern Juniper foliage and mature
cones Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red-cedar, Red Cedar, Eastern
Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar) is a species of juniper native to
eastern North America, from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of
Mexico, east of the Great Plains. In its native range, it is commonly
called "cedar" or "red cedar," names rejected by the American Joint
Committee on Horticultural Nomenclature as it is a juniper, not a true
cedar. However, "Red Cedar" is by far the most commonly used name.
See large specimen Villa 11 near Arowhead Estates.
Cedar, Blue Atlas 17 The Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica), one of the true cedars,
is named for its native range, the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco.In
winter the Atlas Cedar is most striking. Its elegant limbs are open, almost
horizontal, and bear patchy clusters of stiff green or blue-green needles. The trunk
grows vertically and rapidly for the first ten years or so, and the conical or
pyrimidal form of the young tree quickly brings a fine established look to the
landscape. During the first twenty years of growth it casts a light, dappled shade.
In its native range it becomes quite large — to 120 feet high and 40 feet wide.
Featured in courtyard next to the Private Dining Room and can be seen from the
hallway next to the Fireside Room.
Cedar Trail
Trail of wood chips through woods ~ entrance north side of
retention pond. A Juniper tree [has berries] is
featured at the entrance to the trail
18 [also see Trillium Trail.]
Cherries, Black 19 The Black Cherry is a species
in the
Closeup of Bark >>
subgenus Padus with flowers in racemes, and is a
deciduous tree growing to 15–30 m tall with a trunk
diameter of up to 70–120!cm, occasionally more.
The leaves are simple, 6–14!cm long, with a serrated
margin. The fruit is a drupe, 1!cm diameter, green to
red at first, ripening black; it is usually astringent
and bitter when eaten fresh, but also somewhat
sweet. A mature Black Cherry can easily be
identified in a forest by its very broken, dark grey to
black bark, which has the appearance of very thick,
burnt potato chips. Faust Park side of Arrowhead
Estates Road Opposite Villa #1. An 18” diameter
specimen is a few yards West of the Horseshoe Pits.
Cherry, Japanese 20 Japanese cherry Prunus serrulata or
Japanese Cherry; also called Hill Cherry, Oriental Cherry or
East Asian Cherry, is a species of cherry native to Japan, Korea
and China. It is a small deciduous tree with a short single trunk,
with a dense crown reaching a height of about 8-12 m. The
smooth bark is chestnut-brown, with prominent horizontal
lenticels. The Japanese Cherry in the Quadrangle as viewed
from the Library.
Cherry, Weeping
21 Weeping
trees are trees that are characterized
by a typical shape with soft, limp twigs. This may lead to a bent
crown and pendulous braches that can cascade to the ground. While
weepingness occurs in nature, most weeping trees are cultivars.
There are over a hundred different types of weeping trees. Some
trees such as the cherry have a variety of weeping cultivars. There
are currently around 550 weeping cultivars in 75 different genera
although many have now disappeared from cultivation. Weeping
Cherry tree in the Quadrangle as viewed from the Library.
Cottonwood 22 aka Eastern Cottonwood, Populus
deltoides. Cottonwoods grow only in wet soil and are found
along lakes, riverbanks and irrigation ditches throughout
the southwest. Bark is gray, thick, rough and deeply
furrowed. Opposite Villa 15 2008
Crabapple, Flowering 23 There are over 35 species and 700
cultivated varieties of crabapples and have been a part of the
home landscape for many years. Blossoms often open from
pink or red buds and change to paler shades after opening,
creating a beautiful pink cloud lasting several weeks. Crab
apples are most popular of the spring-flowering trees in the
North and Midwest where cold winters and heavy soil prevent
other spring bloomers from performing well. Lots of
specimens in Friendship Village Chesterfield. Center of
employee parking lot, on grassy slope outside Bistro patio, and
lots more
Crabgrass 24 Digitaria is
a genus of about 300
species of grass (family
Poaceae) native to tropical
and warm temperate
regions. Common names
include crabgrass, fingergrass, and fonio. The most
prevalent species of Digitaria in North America are Large
Crabgrass (D. sanguinalis), sometimes known as Hairy Crabgrass; and Smooth Crabgrass (D.
ischaemum).
Daffodils 25 Any of the species of a flowering plants belonging to the
taxonomic genus or narcissus. They prefer areas where they can receive
full sun compared to partly or fully shaded areas. The bulbs will not grow
if soil is even slightly too soggy. The daffodil contains lykorine, which is
highly poisonous to most insects so they work well keeping bugs out of a
flower bed. Rodents and deer will not touch the bulbs either, which keeps
the daffodil population abundant. Every part of this plant is poisonous to
humans, accidental poisoning by the daffodil's bulb has been reported in
the United States and six Scandinavian countries as well. This plant is
native to Spain and Portugal but now can be found all over North
America and North Europe.
Both sides of Trillium Trail behind
Garage # 34
Dogwood 26 Flowering dogwood Cornaceae Cornus florida
L. Leaf: Opposite, simple, 3 to 5 inches long, oval in shape
with an entire or slightly wavy margin, arcuately veined,
green above and slightly paler below. Flower: Monoecious;
very small and inconspicuous tight cluster, but surrounded by
4 very showy, large, white (occasionally pink) bracts, 2
inches in diameter, appearing in mid-spring. Fruit: A shiny,
oval red drupe, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, in clusters of 3 to 5,
maturing in fall. Villa # 9 front yard, sidewalk leading
Theater Room, plus many more elsewhere in Friendship
Village Chesterfield.
Dogwood 27 The Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa), is a
small deciduous tree 8–12 meters tall, native to eastern Asia.
Like most dogwoods, it has opposite, simple leaves.The tree
is extremely showy when in bloom, but what appear to
be four petaled white flowers are actually bracts. The
blossoms appear is in late spring, weeks after the tree
leafs out.The kousa dogwood can be distinguished
from the closely related Flowering Dogwood (Cornus
florida) by its more upright habit, flowering about a
month later. The fruit is a globose pink to red compound
berry 2–3!cm diameter. It is edible, a delicious addition
to the tree's ornamental value.
There are several
Kousa specimens in F-V Chesterfield with one near
the Private Dining Room
Elderberry 28 COMMON ELDERBERRY Sambucus
nigra L. ssp. canadensis (L.) R. Bolli Alternate
Names Arizona elderberry, American elder, sweet
elder, wild elder, flor sauco, tree of music, Danewort,
Walewort, New Mexican elderberry, velvet-leaf elder,
hairy blue elderberry, and dwarf elder. Elderberry
twigs and fruit are employed in creating dyes for
basketry. These stems are dyed a very deep black by
soaking them for a week or so in a wash made from
the berry stems of the elderberry. Elderberries are quite
edible. The blue or purple berries are gathered and
made into elderberry wine, jam, syrup, and pies.
Along Arrowhead Estates Road on Faust park Side
opposite Villa 9 also in Faust Park on Paved footpath
between Laumier Barn and Community Music Bldg.
Elm, American 29 Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees
comprising the genus Ulmus, family Ulmaceae. Elms first appeared in the
Miocene period about 40 million years ago. Originating in what is now
central Asia, the tree flourished and established itself over most of the
Northern Hemisphere, traversing the Equator in Indonesia. Elm bark, cut into
strips and boiled, sustained much of the rural population of Norway during
the great famine of 1812. The seeds are particularly nutritious, comprising
45% crude protein, and 7% fibre by dry mass. Several elm clones resistant to
Dutch elm disease have been developed. Faust Park has many beautiful
specimens a) in front of LAMELLA BARN, and b) hill side as viewed from
the Lower Parking lot going to the Music Stage for Summer Music Concerts.
Fern 30 A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of
plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta.
Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem (making them
vascular plants). They have stems, leaves, and roots like other
vascular plants. Ferns do not have either seeds or flowers - they
reproduce via spores. Friendship Village Chesterfield
specimens can be found between Door 5 and Door 6.
Fir 31 Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers
in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central
America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of
the range. Firs are most closely related to the cedars (Cedrus); Douglas-firs are
not true firs, being of the genus Pseudotsuga. Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser
Fir and Balsam Fir are very popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be
the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many
needles on drying out. Several specimens ~ this is in front of Villa 11
Firethorn 32 Pyracantha is a genus of thorny
evergreen large shrubs in the family Rosaceae, with
common names Firethorn or Pyracantha. They are
native to an area extending from Southeast Europe
east to Southeast Asia, resemble and are related to
Cotoneaster, but have serrated leaf margins and
numerous thorns (Cotoneaster is thornless).
Alongside of Green House in Faust Park, used in
propagation of Butterflies for Butterfly House.
Forsythia 33 Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family
Oleaceae (olive family). There are about 11 species, mostly native
to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. The common
name is also Forsythia; the genus is named after William Forsyth.
Find near Entrance Door # 6
Ginko 34 biloba; Jurassic - Pliocene The ginkgo also known as
the maidenhair tree, is a unique tree with no close living relatives. It
is classified in its own division, and is the only extant species within
this group. It is one of the best known examples of a living fossil,
with fossils recognizably similar to the modern species tracing back
270 million years. For centuries it was thought to be extinct in the
wild, but is now known to grow in at least two small areas in
Zhejiang province in Eastern China, in the Tian Mu Shan Reserve.
Ginkgo trees in these areas may have been tended and preserved by
Chinese monks for over 1,000 years. Several specimens can be
see in the sidewalk in the common area between the odd numbered
Villas 1 - 41, big one near Light Pole # 34, and Entrance Door #6.
Big one close to Entrance Door # 7
Golden Rain 35 Koelreuteria paniculata
(Goldenrain tree, Pride of India,[1] varnish
tree,[2] or China tree) is a species of
Koelreuteria native to eastern Asia, in China
and Korea. It is a small to medium-sized
deciduous tree growing to 17 m tall, with a broad, dome-shaped
crown. The seeds are edible when roasted, but not commonly
consumed. In some areas, notably the eastern United States and
particularly in Florida, it is considered an invasive species.
Golden Rain is located immediately in front of the Main Dining
Room Door opening to the Gardens. Flowers in Spring and this
results in paper like clusters of small Japanese lanterns.
Grape Vines, Wild
36 There
are many
species of Wild Grapes in North America,
most of which are very similar and
difficult to tell apart. Wild Grape are
woody vines which can climb over 30 feet
tall, and in the woods probably has grown
up with the tree. They are considered
invasive in Missouri as they smother some
trees. Lots of specimens in woods in
Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Hawthorn 37 Crataegus,
commonly called hawthorn or
thornapple, is a large genus of
shrubs and trees in the rose
family, Rosaceae, native to
temperate regions of the
Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.
The White hawthorn (C. punctata) is the state flower of
Missouri.
Hemlock 38 Very tiny cones. Similar to fir but with
smaller needles which are very flat. Tsuga from
Japanese:is a genus of conifers in the family
Pinaceae. The common name hemlock is derived
from a perceived similarity in the smell of its crushed
foliage to that of the unrelated plant poison hemlock.
Unlike poison hemlock (conium), the species of
Tsuga are not poisonous. There are eight, nine, or ten
species within the genus (depending on the authority),
with four species occurring in North America and
four to six in eastern Asia. The species are all adapted
to relatively moist cool temperate areas with high rainfall, cool summers, and little or no water stress;
they are also adapted to cope with heavy to very heavy winter snowfall and tolerate ice storms better
than most other trees. Several specimen on right side of entrance to Concert area in Faust Park.
Honeysuckle 39 (Lonicera, syn. Caprifolium Mill.) are
arching shrubs or twining vines in the family
Caprifoliaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere. There
are about 180 species of honeysuckle, 100 of which occur
in China; Europe and North America have only about 20
native species each. Hummingbirds are attracted to these
plants. Several species of Lonicera have become invasive
when introduced outside their native range, particularly in
New Zealand and the United States. Invasive species
include L. japonica, L. maackii, L. morrowii, and L.
tatarica. The photo on the right is japonica and is invasive
at F- V Chesterfield and is being selectively removed so
that other plants can also grow. This photo is near Health
Center exit and the Horse Shoe Pit.
Horse Chestnut
40
The genus Aesculus
comprises 13-19
species of woody trees
and shrubs native to the
temperate northern
hemisphere, with 6
species native to North
America and 7-13
species native to
Eurasia; The Eurasian species are known as horse chestnuts while
the North American species are called buckeyes. A big specimen
can be found on the right side of road upon entering the parking
leading to Music Building in Faust Park. Very showy tree while in
bloom!
Hydrangea Annabelle 41 There are two flower
arrangements in hydrangeas. Mophead flowers are large
round flowerheads resembling pom-poms or, as the name
implies, the head of a mop. In most species the flowers are
white, but in some species (notably H. macrophylla), can
be blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. In these
species the exact colour often mirrors the pH of the soil;
acidic soils produce blue flowers, neutral soils produce
very pale cream petals, and alkaline soils results in pink or
purple. Friendship Village Chesterfield courtyard off the
Library has all three varieties.
Hydrangea Paniculata 42 In contrast, lacecap flowers
bear round, flat flowerheads with a center core of
subdued, fertile flowers surrounded by outer rings of
showy, sterile flowers. Hydrangeas are popular
ornamental plants, with Hydrangea macrophylla being
by far the most widely grown with over 600 named
cultivars, Hydrangeas are moderately toxic if eaten,
with all parts of the plant containing cyanogenic
glycosides. Friendship Village Chesterfield courtyard
off the Library features all three varieties.
Hydrangea Quercifolia 43 commonly known by its
translation Oakleaf hydrangea, is native to the southeastern
United States, from North Carolina west to Tennessee, and
south to Florida and Louisiana.It is a coarse-textured
deciduous shrub growing to 8 ft tall with an open crown.
Friendship Village Chesterfield courtyard off the Library
features all three varieties, and is featured the yards of
several of the Villas .
Iris
is a genus of 260 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its
name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower
colors found among the many species. F-V Chesterfield has many ~ near Entrance
Door 4 opposite Garages 39 & 40, in both Quadrangles, and near Health Center.
44
Jack in the pulpit 45 Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Bog
onion, Brown dragon, Indian turnip, Wake robin or Wild turnip) is a
herbaceous perennial plant growing from a corm. It is a highly variable
species typically growing from 30 to 65 cm in height with three parted
leaves and flowers contained in a spadix that is covered by a hood. It is
native to eastern North America, occurring in moist woodlands and
thickets from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, and south to southern
Florida. Arisaema is a genus of about 150 species in the flowering
plant family Araceae, native to eastern and central Africa, Asia and
eastern North America. Its species are often called Cobra lilies,
particularly the Asiatic species. A familiar species in North America is
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack in the pulpit). Friendship Village
Chesterfield has lots of specimens in the heavily wooded areas, with at
least one beneath the bench on Trillium Trail.
Johnson Grass
46
Johnson grass (Sorghum
halepense) is a plant in
the grass family,
Poaceae, native to the
Mediterranean region,
but growing throughout
Europe and the Middle
East. The plant has been
introduced to all
continents except
Antarctica and most larger islands and archipelago. It reproduces by rhizomes and seeds. Johnson
grass has been used for forage and to stop erosion, but it is often considered a weed for the following
reasons: 1) Foliage that becomes wilted from frost or hot dry weather can contain sufficient amounts
of hydrogen cyanide to kill cattle and horses if it is eaten in quantity. 2) The foliage can cause 'bloat' in
such herbivores from the accumulation of excessive nitrates; otherwise, it is edible. 3) It grows and
spreads so quickly that it can 'choke out' other cash crops that have been planted by farmers.This
species occurs in crop fields, pastures, abandoned fields, rights-of-way, forest edges, and along stream
banks. It thrives in open, disturbed, rich, bottom ground, particularly in cultivated fields. Johnson grass
resistant to the popular herbicide glyphosate has been found in Argentina and the United States. It is
considered to be one of the ten worst weeds in the world.
June Berry 47 Amelanchier, also known as shadbush, shadwood or
shadblow, service- or sarvisberry, juneberry, saskatoon, sugarplum or wildplum, and chuckley pear is a genus of about 20 species of shrubs and small
deciduous trees in the Rosaceae (Rose family). The genus is native to
temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, growing primarily in early
successional habitats. It is most diverse taxonomically in North America,
especially in the northern United States and in Canada, and is native to every
US state except Hawaii. Scattered specimens but two are directly across from
light pole #13 and close to the sidewalk. Bordered by Spruce and Pine Trees.
Juniper 48 Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus
Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on
taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of
juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern
hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the
Old World, and to the mountains of Central America. Juniper
has small blue berries {Cedars have cones}, Missouri Cedar
is the plant seen along highways which is taking over
pastures, and it is really a Juniper. Friendship Village has lots
of Junipers - tall thin ones -and more. Light Pole 15 - 16
Larch 49 Tamarack Larch, or Tamarack, or Hackmatack, or American
Larch (Larix laricina) is a species of larch native to northern North
America and Canada, from eastern Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest
Territories east to Newfoundland, and also south into the northeastern
United States from Minnesota to West Virginia; there is also a disjunct
population in central Alaska. It is very cold tolerant, able to survive
winter temperatures down to at least !65 °C (!85 °F), and commonly
occurs at the arctic tree line at the edge of the tundra. Tamarack is
generally the first forest tree to invade filled-lake bogs. The Larch is
deciduous and the needles turn yellow in autumn. Specimens along
edge of Butterfly House, and on the road near the Music Outdoor Stage
in Faust Park.
Lilac 50 Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 species of flowering
woody plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to woodland and
scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia. F-V Chesterfield brick
wall near Door 4
Magnolia, Southern 51 Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as
the Southern magnolia or bull bay, is a tree of the family Magnoliaceae
native to the southeastern United States, from coastal Virginia south to
central Florida, and west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. Reaching
27.5 m (90 ft) in height, it is a large striking evergreen tree with large
dark green leaves and large white fragrant flowers. Widely cultivated
around the world, over a hundred cultivars have been bred and
marketed commercially. The timber is hard and heavy, and has been
used commercially to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.
Magnolia, Saucer 52 Saucer magnolia's tendency to loose
blooms to early spring frosts is problematic. But if you
avoid giving these magnolia trees a southern exposure, you
may delay blooming long enough to get past the period of
frost danger. To avoid southern exposure, plant on the
North side of your house or to the North of established
pines, for example. As a bonus, the blooms look great
against a green background of pines. Courtyard seen from
Dining Room full bloom
Magnolia, Star 53 Magnolia stellata, sometimes called the star
magnolia is a slow growing shrub or small tree native to Japan
with large showy white or pink flowers in early spring before the
appearance of the leaves.There is natural variation within the
flower color, which varies from white to rich pink; the hue of
pink magnolias changes from year to year, depending on day and
night air temperatures prior to and during flowering. The flowers
are star shaped, with at least 12 thin, delicate tepals—some
cultivars have more than 30. The leaves open bronze-green,
turning to deep green as they mature, and yellow before
dropping in autumn. They are oblong and about 4 in (10 cm)
long by about an 1.5 in (4 cm) wide. F-V Chesterfield has one outside the Fireplace Room near the
PRIVATE DINNING ROOM
Magnolia, Sweet 54 Sweet Bay" ( M. virginiana)
Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant
species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family
Magnoliaceae. Magnolia is an ancient genus. Having
evolved before bees appeared, the flowers developed to
encourage pollination by beetles. As a result, the carpels of
Magnolia flowers are Sweden, Tibet, Uruguay, Venezuela,
Wales,, to avoid damage by eating and crawling beetles.
Fossilised specimens of M. acuminata have been found
dating to 20 million years ago, and of plants identifiably
belonging to the Magnoliaceae dating to 95 million years
ago.
Entrance Door # 6
Magnolia, Tulip 55 Magnolia liliiflora variously known by
rather many names, including Mulan magnolia, Purple
magnolia, Red magnolia, Lily magnolia, Tulip magnolia and
Woody-orchid) is a small tree native to southwest China
(Sichuan, Yunnan), but cultivated for centuries elsewhere in
China and also Japan. Faust Park has a group of 14 mature trees
on three acres close to the Barn, the Greenhouse and the Music
House and if spared by early frosts this is unforgettable!
Maple, Japanese 56 Acer palmatum is a species of woody
plant native to Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, eastern
Mongolia, and southeast Russia. Many different cultivars of
this maple have been selected and they are grown worldwide
for their attractive leaf shapes and colors. Near Door 6, and
Health Center Exit near Light Pole # 46
Maple, Sugar 57 Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), sometimes called hard
maple or rock maple, is one of the largest and more important of the
hardwoods. The fall color is often spectacular, ranging from bright yellow
through orange to fluorescent red-orange. Sugar maples also have a tendency
to color unevenly in fall. In some trees, all colors above can be seen at the
same time.. Light Poles # 19, # 22, and near Entrance Portico
Maple- Red 58 Acer rubrum (Red Maple, also known as Swamp or Soft
Maple), is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern
North America. It ranges from the Lake of the Woods on the border between
Ontario and Minnesota, east to Newfoundland, south to near Miami, Florida,
and southwest to east Texas. Many of its features, especially its leaves, are
quite variable in form. At maturity it often attains a height of around 15 m
(50 ft). It is aptly named as its flowers, petioles, twigs and seeds are all red to
varying degrees. Among these features, however, it is best known for its
brilliant deep scarlet foliage in autumn. Specimen in front of Village View Drive
May Apple
May' ap"ple 1. an American plant, Podophyllum
peltatum, of the barberry family, bearing an edible, yellowish, eggshaped fruit. 2. the fruit itself. Also,May'ap"ple. Issue # 46 - July/
August 1977 “Mother Earth News” The original Guide to Living
Wisely” May apple "berry" growing from the fork of the parent
plant's "Y"-shaped stem.... The ripe fruit, whole and halved.... The
beautiful—but foul-smelling—flower from which the fruit stems....
And finally, the distinctive berry and dual hanging leaves of the
mature, fertile May apple plant. When the greenish globe turns
yellow and/or falls to the ground, it's ready to eat! Lots of
specimens F-V Chesterfield woods on both Trillium and Cedar trails.
Mimosa
59
is a genus of about 400 species of herbs
and shrubs, in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the legume
family Fabaceae. There are two species in the genus
that are notable. One is Mimosa pudica, because of the
way it folds its leaves when touched or exposed to heat.
It is native to southern Central and South America but is
widely cultivated elsewhere for its curiosity value, both
as a houseplant in temperate areas, and outdoors in the
tropics. Outdoor cultivation has led to weedy invasion in
some areas, notably Hawaii. Members of this genus
are among the few plants capable of rapid
movement; examples outside of Mimosa include the Telegraph plant, and the Venus Flytrap. The
leaves of the plant close quickly when touched. Mimosa can be distinguished from the large related
genera, Acacia and Albizia, since its flowers have 10 or fewer stamens. Specimens in Faust Park
60
Mulberry 61 Morus is a genus of flowering plants in the
family Moraceae. The 10–16 species of deciduous trees it
contains are commonly known as Mulberries. They are native to
warm temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Europe,
and the Americas, with the majority of the species native to
Asia,.. Mulberry leaves, particularly those of the white
mulberry, are ecologically important as the sole food source of
the silkworm (Bombyx mori, named after the mulberry genus
Morus), the pupa/cocoon of which is used to make silk. Other
Lepidoptera larvae also sometimes feed on the plant including
common emerald, lime hawk-moth, and the sycamore.The ripe fruit is edible and is widely used in
pies, tarts, wines, cordials and tea. The fruit of the black mulberry, native to southwest Asia, and the red
mulberry, native to eastern North America, have the strongest flavor. The fruit of the white mulberry, an
east Asian species which is extensively naturalized in urban regions of eastern North America, has a
different flavor, sometimes characterized as insipid. Specimen in front of # 1 Village View Drive
walking trail to Faust Park
Mullein 62 This Eurasian immigrant is a common biennial
herb, which produces a basal rosette of large, stalked, thick,
fuzzy, oval leaves in the first year. These leaves often
survive through the winter, under the snow. In the second
year, mullein sends up a stoutly erect, sometimes
branched, flower stalk, up to eight feet tall, which is also
fuzzy, and has smaller....All parts of the plant offer an
abundance of healing medicine. F-V in back garage 40
Nut Grass 63 Cyperus rotundus (coco-grass, purple nut
sedge, red nut sedge) is a species of sedge (Cyperaceae)
native to Africa, southern and central Europe (north to
France and Austria), and southern Asia. The names
"nut grass" and "nut sedge" (shared with the related
species Cyperus esculentus) are derived from its tubers,
that somewhat resemble nuts, although botanically they
have nothing to do with nuts. The root system of a young
plant initially forms white, fleshy rhizomes. Other
rhizomes grow horizontally or downward, and form dark
reddish-brown tubers or chains of tubers.
Oak, Chinquapin 64 Quercus
muehlenbergii, the chinkapin oak, is an oak
in the white oak group (Quercus sect.
Quercus). The name is also spelled
chinquapin oak. It is native to eastern North
America, from Vermont and southern
Ontario west to Iowa, south to northwest
Florida and eastern Texas. The Chinkapin
Oak is especially known for its sweet acorns. Indeed, the nuts contained
inside of the thin shell are among the sweetest of any oak; they taste
excellent even when eaten raw. The acorns are eaten by squirrels, mice,
voles, chipmunks, deer, turkey, and other birds. Like the other members of
the white oak family, the wood of the is a durable hardwood. Arrowhead
Estates private Road opposite Villa 15 Light Pole 14-15, also at the base
of the Apartment Wall as viewed directly across from the Theater Room
outside porch.
Oaks 65 a large family more than 60 named varieties ~ BLACK, RED, WHITE, WATER, LIVE
Oak, Darlington 66 Quercus hemisphaerica (Laurel
Oak, Darlington Oak, Laurel-leaf Oak) is a species of
oak native to the Southeastern United States. It is in the
red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae. It is often
confused with and closely related to the Swamp Laurel
Oak in which it differs in several key characteristics.
Fagaceae Quercus hemisphaerica Bartr. Leaf: Alternate,
simple, entire but may have a few shallow lobes at tip,
elliptical to oblong-obovate, leathery and nearly
evergreen, edges may be rolled, 1 to 3 inches long, 1/2 to 1 inch wide,
shiny dark green above, paler below. Flower: Male flowers are yellowgreen long catkins (1 1/2 to 3 inches long), females are green to reddish,
very small spike in leaf axils, appearing with the leaves. Fruit: Small
acorn (1/2 inch or less), nut round, brown with some fuzz, cap is shallow
covering 1/4 of nut. Twig: Slender, light brown to gray, hairless; buds are
sharp pointed reddish brown and clustered at twig ends. Medium size tree
to 60 feet, 1 to 3 feet in diameter, usually smaller with a rounded crown.
A somewhat evergreen tree with narrow unlobed leathery leaves which
are rolled. 12” specimen in picture is directly across from Villa 13
driveway.
Oak, Pin
Quercus palustris, the Pin oak or Swamp Spanish oak, is an
oak in the red oak section Quercus sect. Lobatae.A feature of Pin oak
(shared by a few other oak species, and also some beeches and hornbeams)
is the retention of leaves through the winter on juvenile tissue. Young trees
under 6 m (20 ft) will often be covered with leaves year-round, though the
leaves die in the fall, remaining attached to the shoots until the new leaves
appear in the spring. The crown is broad conic when young, with
numerous small branches radiating out from a central leader. When older,
some upper branches become quite large and the central leader is lost,
while the lower branches gradually droop downwards. Can be easily
identified a half mile away as it is the only tree that the top branches point
upward, the middle branches point straight out level with the ground, and
the bottom branches droop downwards. Ring Road Light Pole # 44
67
Oak, White
Quarks alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of
eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak in the family Fagaceae, native to eastern
North America, from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota, and south to
northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens are known to have lived over 600 years
Normally not a very tall tree, typically 65–85 feet tall at maturity, it nonetheless
becomes quite massive and its lower branches are apt to reach far out laterally parallel
to the ground. The tallest known white oak is 144 feet (43 m) tall. It is not unusual for
a white oak tree to be as wide as it is tall. Conversely, specimens at high altitude may
only be small shrubs. White oaks have been known to live up to six hundred years.
The bark is a light ash-gray and somewhat peeling, variously from the top, bottom and/
or sides. Opposite Villa 9 Dec 2007 ~ at minimum 5 foot diameter
Oleander
68
Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae,
toxic in all its parts. Oleander is one of the most poisonous of
commonly grown garden plants, and can be very toxic if ingested in
sufficient quantity. I It is most commonly known as oleander, from
its superficial resemblance to the unrelated olive Olea, but has many
other names. It is so widely cultivated that no precise region of
origin, perhaps in southwest Asia, has been identified. F-V
Chesterfield Main Dining Room has a potted Oleander plant.
69
Osage-orange, 70 Horse-apple, Bois D'Arc, or Bodark (Maclura
pomifera) is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 26–49 ft
tall. It is dioeceous, with male and female flowers on different plants. In fall the
fruit turns a bright yellow-green and it has a faint odor similar to that of oranges.
Maclura belongs to the mulberry family, Moraceae, while oranges belong to the
family Rutaceae. The pistillate and staminate flowers are on different trees; both
are inconspicuous; but the fruit is very much in evidence. Can be seen in rural
areas where it is used as a living fence posts on farms in Missouri and Kansas.
Paw Paw 71 Annonaceae (Custard Apple Family) Eaten in-hand as
fresh fruit or processed into desserts. The pawpaw is the only
temperate member of the tropical Annonaceae family and is the
largest tree fruit native to the United States.. Flowers emerge before
leaves in mid spring. protogynous, self-incompatible and require
cross pollination although some trees may be self-compatible.
Pollination may be by flies and beetles which is consistent with the
presentation appearance of the flower: dark, meat-colored petals and
a fetid aroma. Fruit set in the wild is usually low and may be
pollinator or resource-limited but under cultivation, tremendous fruit loads have been observed. They
may be borne singly or in clusters which resemble the "hands" of a banana plant (Musa spp.). This
highly aromatic, climacteric fruit has a ripe taste that resembles a creamy mixture of banana, mango,
and pineapple.
Pear, Bradford 72 The Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) is a species
of pear native to China. It is a deciduous tree growing to 49 to 66 ft
tall, with a conic to rounded crown. It is so widely planted throughout
North America as an ornamental tree that the tree (specifically the
'Bradford' cultivar) has become a ubiquity in many suburban
communities. Seedling plants often differ from the selected cultivars
in their irregular shape and thorns. In a paper in the botanical journal
Castanea, Vincent (2005) reported the species as an escape in 152
counties in 25 states in the United States. Lots of Bradford Pears in
and around Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Pecan 73 The pecan, Carya illinoinensis, is a species of hickory, native to
south-central North America, in Mexico from Coahuila south to Jalisco and
Veracruz, in the United States from southern Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and
Indiana east to western Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and
western Tennessee, south through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Florida, and west into New Mexico."Pecan"
is from an Algonquian word, meaning a nut requiring a stone to crack. In
Mexico, pecans and walnuts share the same Spanish name, nuez, which is a
cognate of the English word nut. Circle road near service entrance to Health
Care Center
Peonies 74 They are native to China, Central Asia, the Mediterranean region
and the United Kingdom. Boundaries between species are not clear and
estimates of the number of species range from 25 to 40. Most are herbaceous
perennial plants 0.5–1.5 metres tall, but some resemble trees up to 1.5–3
metres tall. They have compound, deeply lobed leaves, and large, often
fragrant flowers, ranging from red to white or yellow, in late spring and early
summer. F-V Chesterfield has specimens in quadrangle off the Main
Dining Room. Faust Park has specimens along road leading to the barn and the Music House
Persimmon 75 A persimmon is the edible fruit of a number of species of trees in the
genus Diospyros in the ebony wood family (Ebenaceae). The word persimmon is
derived from putchamin, pasiminan, or pessamin, from Powhatan, an Algonquian
language (related to Blackfoot, Cree and Mohican) of the eastern United States,
meaning "a dry fruit". . They are high in glucose, with a balanced protein profile, and
possess various medicinal and chemical uses. Like the tomato, it is not considered a
"common berry", but is in fact a "true berry" by definition. Circle road in clump of trees
near Faust Park.
Pine, Scrub 76 Pinus virginiana (Virginia Pine, Scrub Pine, Jersey
Pine) is a medium-sized tree, often found on poorer soils from Long
Island in southern New York south through the Appalachian
Mountains to western Tennessee and Alabama. This pine is useful for
reforesting and provides nourishment for wildlife. Its other main use
is on Christmas tree farms, despite having sharp-tipped needles and
yellowish winter color. It also can provide wood pulp and lumber.
Faust Park
Pine, White 77 Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus, is a large pine
native to eastern North America, Like all members of the white pine
group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, the leaves ('needles') are in bundles of
five. Mature trees can easily be 200 to 250 years old. Some white
pines live over 400 years.. Irregular shaped ~ specimens in
Quadrangle outside of Main Dining Room, Circle Road near
Persimmon Tree Light Pole # 23, and lots of other places in F-V
Chesterfield grounds.
Poke Berry 78 The pokeweeds, also known as poke, pokebush,
pokeberry, pokeroot, polk salad, polk salat, inkberry or ombú, are
perennial plants native to North America, South America, East
Asia and New Zealand. Pokeweed contains phytolaccatoxin and
phytolaccigenin, which are poisonous to mammals. However, the
berries are eaten by birds, which are not affected by the toxin.
Pokeweeds are herbs growing from 1 to 10 ft tall, although
specimens as tall as 14 ft have been observed. The flowers are
greenish-white, in long clusters at the ends of the stems. They
develop into dark purple berries. Pokeweed ~ annual Fruits from
mid August. Between Light Poles #2 & #3 at edge of lawn and
forest.
Poison Ivy 79 Toxicodendron radicans, better
known as poison ivy, is a poisonous North
American plant that is well known for its
production of urushiol, a clear liquid compound
found within the sap of the plant that causes an
itching rash in most people who touch it. The plant
is not a true ivy (Hedera). Poison ivy can be found
growing in any of the following three forms: a) as
a trailing vine that is 4 to 10 inches tall b) as a
shrub up to 1.2 m tall (4 feet) c) as a climbing vine
that grows on trees or some other support. In 2006
& 2007 severe infestations of poison ivy were
along both sides of the Arrowhead Estates right
away for 200 yards on Friendship Village property that is adjacent to Faust Park. Gene pointed out
specimens and Bob, F-V Gardener, would squirt Roundup. Repeated applications were necessary to
eventually free that area of this toxic plant.
Purple Plum
Purple leaf plum is a small deciduous tree
commonly planted for its deep reddish-purple leaves and white/pale
pink flowers that are among the first to appear in spring. Although it is
short lived, it is fast growing and great for use as a specimen or shade
tree. F-V between Light Poles # 2 & 3
80
Raspberries 81 The raspberry or hindberry is the edible fruit of a
multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus, most of which are in the
subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves.
Raspberries are perennial. Raspberries are grown for the fresh fruit
market and for commercial processing into individually quick frozen
(IQF) fruit, purée, juice, or as dried fruit used in a variety of grocery
products. Friendship Village Chesterfield see Villa 11 adjacent to Patio.
Redbud 82 Cercis, or Redbud, is a genus of about 6-10 species in
the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native
to warm-temperate regions. They are small deciduous trees or large
shrubs, characterised by simple, rounded to heart-shaped leaves and
pinkish-red flowers borne in the early spring on bare leafless
shoots.A smaller Eastern American woodland understory tree,
Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis, is common from southernmost
Canada to piedmont Alabama and East Texas. The flowers are also
used in salads and for making pickled relish, while the inner bark of
twigs gives a mustard-yellow dye. The related Western Redbud,
Cercis occidentalis, ranges from California east to Utah primarily in foothill regions. The tree often
forms multi-trunked colonies that are covered in bright pink flowers in early spring (February - March).
White-flowered variants are in cultivation. It buds only once a year. This specimen as seen from
sidewalk outside Theater Room near entrance Door # 4
Rhododendron 83 Rhododendron is a genus of over 1000 species of
woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers. It
includes the plants known to gardeners as azaleas. They may be
either evergreen or deciduous.
Lots of Rhododendron in Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Rose 84 A rose is a perennial plant of the genus Rosa, within the
family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of
erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are
often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in a
number of colours from white through yellows and reds. Most
species are native to Asia, with smaller numbers native to Europe,
North America, and northwest Africa. Lots of roses in Friendship
Village Chesterfield.
Russian Olive 85 Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian
Silverberry, Oleaster, or Russian-olive) is a species of
Elaeagnus, native to western and central Asia, from
southern Russia and Kazakhstan to Turkey and Iran. The
fruit is edible and sweet, though with a dryish mealy
texture. Its common name comes from its similarity in
appearance to olive (that is trees of the entirely separate
family Oleaceae). The shrub can fix nitrogen in its roots,
enabling it to grow on bare, mineral substrates. Russianolive is considered to be an invasive species because it has
low seedling mortality rates therefore crowding out native vegetation in the wild.
Sassafras 86 aka White Sassafras, Red Sassafras or Silky Sassafras. Sassafras is a
genus of two species of deciduous trees in the family Lauraceae, native to eastern
North America and eastern Asia. All parts of the plants are very fragrant. The
species are unusual in having three distinct leaf patterns on the same plant;
unlobed oval, bilobed (mitten-shaped), and trilobed (three pronged). Lots of
Sassafras in the woods at F-V Chesterfield. Specimen in the picture is near the
sidewalk directly across from Light Pole # 15 and Villa 11
Saxifrages 87 Most saxifrages are smallish plants whose leaves grow close to
the ground, often in a rosette. The inflorescences or single flowers are raised
above the main plant body at flowering time on stalks devoid of true leaves.
The small actinomorphic hermaphrodite flowers have five petals and sepals
and are usually white, but red to yellow in some species. Outside door # 2
adjacent the Health Center
Spruce 88 is a tree of the genus Picea about 35 species of
coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the
northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are
large trees, from 66–200 ft tall, and can be distinguished by
their whorled branches and conical form. The needles, or leaves,
of spruce trees are attached singly to the branches in a spiral
fashion. The needles are shed when 4–10 years old. Scientists
have found Norway Spruce nicknamed Old Tjikko, which at an
age of 9,550 years are claimed to be the world's oldest known
living trees. Lots on Circle Road near Light Poles # 22, # 34,
#47, # 51
Sumac Sumac 89 (also spelled sumach) is any one of approximately
250 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera, in
the family Anacardiaceae. Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate
regions throughout the world, especially in Africa and North America.
Sumacs are shrubs and small trees that can reach a height of 3.3–33 ft.
The leaves are spirally arranged; they are usually pinnately compound,
though some species have trifoliate or simple leaves. The flowers are in
dense panicles or spikes 2.0–12 in long, each flower very small,
greenish, creamy white or red, with five petals. The fruits form dense
clusters of reddish drupes called sumac bobs. The dried drupes of some
species are ground to produce a tangy purple spice. Abundance of
Sumac in Faust Park notably along sidewalk next to lower parking lot.
Sweet Gum 90 American Sweetgum is a deciduous tree in the genus Liquidambar
native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America. A popular ornamental
tree in North America, it is recognizable from its combination of five-pointed starshaped leaves and spiked fruit. A popular ornamental tree in North America, it is
recognizable from its combination of five-pointed star-shaped leaves and spiked
fruit. Traffic Circle includes a cluster of Sweet Gum trees ~ look for golf sized
spiked ‘balls’. Specimen is in F-V Chesterfield quadrangle as seen from Library.
Sycamore 91 Platanus occidentalis, the American sycamore easily recognized
in winter from large, open, irregular patches revealing whitish under bark. Very
large trees in front yard of Thornhill the residence of the 2nd Governor of
Missouri in Faust Park. Platanus, the sycamores of North America, known as
planes in Europe Light Pole # 24 near Garage 56
Thuja 92 Five species, Korean Thuja, Eastern
Arborvitae, Western Redcedar, Japanese Thuja,
Sichuan Thuja. They are commonly known as
arborvitaes (from Latin for tree of life) or thujas;
several species are widely known as cedar but because
they are not true cedars (Cedrus) it has been recommended to call them
redcedars or whitecedars.They are widely grown as ornamental trees,
and extensively used for hedges. The wood has been used for many
applications from making chests that repel moths to shingles. Thuja
poles are also often used to make fence posts and rails. The wood of
Thuja plicata is commonly used for guitar sounding boards. F-V eight
specimens used for screening near Door 2 along Health Center.
Trillium 93 or wake-robin, any plant of the large
genus Trillium, attractive spring wildflowers of the
family Liliaceae (lily family), native to North America
and E Asia. The leaves, petals, and sepals are
characteristically in threes, and the single flower may
be white, pink, dark red, yellow, or green. The plants
have a perennial rootstock that in T. erectum (also
called birthroot) was used medicinally by both Native
Americans and early colonists. Trillium sessile is the
one most likely on the trail in F - Village as it is the
correct dark red color. Found along both Trillium &
Cedar Trails in Friendship Village Chesterfield woods.
Trillium Trail
100 yard long foot path, well
marked with wood chips, through heavy wooded area.
The Trillium Trail may now be a misnomer as other
flowers are dominant ~ May Apple ~ Daffodils ~
Amaryllis ~ Honeysuckle. Enter on concrete path side
and back of Garage # 40 opposite Door # 4.
94
Trumpet Vine 95 Campsis is a genus of flowering plants in the bignonia
family, Bignoniaceae. It consists of two species, both of which are vines
with large flowers. 1) Campsis grandiflora K.Schum. 2) Chinese
Trumpet Vine (East Asia) Campsis radicans Seem. – American Trumpet
Vine (Southeastern United States). Faust Park lots of places - see left
side of road leading from Stages to Greenhouse. Orange Blossoms
vines up to 3 inches in diameter as they climb to the top of trees.
Tulip Tree 96 Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip
tree, American tulip tree, tuliptree, tulip poplar or yellow poplar, is the
Western Hemisphere representative of the two-species genus
Liriodendron, and the tallest eastern hardwood. It is native to eastern
North America from Southern Ontario and Illinois eastward across
southern New England and south to central Florida and Louisiana. It is
fast-growing, without the common problems of weak wood strength and
short lifespan often seen in fast-growing species.
Large Tree visible
from Olive Blvd close to Villa 50 front door
Viburnum 97 Viburnum is a genus of about 150-175 species
of shrubs or small trees in the moschatel family, Adoxaceae.
Viburnum grandiflorum They are native throughout the
temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a few species extending
into tropical montane regions in South America and southeast
Asia.The fruit is a spherical, red to purple, blue, or black, and
containing a single seed; Highbush Cranbery is edible for
humans, but other species are mildly poisonous to people.
F-V Chesterfield has a row of a dozen or more along
Arrowhead Estates right away road adjacent to Faust Park.
Virginia Creeper 98 Virginia creeper, five-leaved ivy, or
five-finger (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a woody vine
native to eastern and central North America, in
southeastern Canada, the eastern and central United
States, eastern Mexico, and Guatemala, west as far as
Manitoba, South Dakota, Utah and Texas.Virginia creeper
is grown as an ornamental plant, because of its deep red to
burgundy fall foliage. Because the vine, like its relative
Boston ivy, adheres to the surface by disks rather than
penetrating roots, it will not harm the masonry but will
keep a building cooler by shading the wall surface during
the summer, saving money on air conditioning. F-V
Chesterfield has lots specimens
Walnut, Black 99 Juglans nigra, the Eastern Black
walnut, is a species of flowering tree in the hickory family,
Juglandaceae, that is native to eastern North America. The
black walnut is a large deciduous tree attaining heights of
98–130 ft. Under forest competition it develops a tall, clear
bole; the open-grown form has a short bole and broad crown.
The bark is grey-black and deeply furrowed. The whole fruit,
including the husk, falls in October; the seed is relatively
small and very hard. The tree tends to crop more heavily in
alternate years. Dozen or more large specimens along the
Arrowhead Estates Road between Friendship Village Chesterfield and Faust Park.
Willow, Pussy 100 is a name given to many of
the smaller species of the genus Salix when their
furry catkins are young in early spring. These
species include: Goat willow or goat sallow
(Salix caprea), a small tree native to northern
Europe and northwest Asia. Grey willow or grey
sallow (Salix cinerea), a small tree native to
northern Europe American pussy willow (Salix
discolor), native to northern North America.
Before the male catkins of these species come
into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish
fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also
known as "pussies". The catkins appear long
before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs
of spring [opened 3/25/08]. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by
their ordinary names. The large specimen above is located near of the door opening to the quadrangle
that can be seen from the Library. Red Birds use it for perching as they visit the bird feeder.
Wisteria 101 Wisteria (also spelled Wistaria) is a genus of flowering plants in the
pea family, Fabaceae, that includes ten species of woody climbing vines native to
the eastern United States and the East Asian states of China, Korea, and Japan.
Aquarists refer to the species Hygrophila difformis, in the family Acanthaceae, as
Water Wisteria. Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or
counter-clockwise round any available support. They can climb as high as 20 m
above ground and spread out 10 m laterally. The world's largest known Wisteria
vine is located in Sierra Madre, California, measuring more than 1 acre (0.40 ha)
in size and weighing 250 tons.
Yew 102 Taxus baccata is a conifer native to
western, central and southern Europe,
northwest Africa, northern Iran and
southwest Asia. It is the tree originally
known as yew, though with other related
trees becoming known, it may be now
known as the English yew, or European
yew. It is a small- to medium-sized
evergreen tree, growing 33–66 ft tall, with a
trunk up to 6 ft 7 in diameter. The leaves are
highly poisonous. but are opened and eaten
by some bird species including Hawfinches
and Great Tits. The aril is not poisonous,
and is gelatinous and very sweet tasting. It
is mostly dioecious, but occasional
individuals can be variably monoecious, or
change sex with time. Longevity It is
relatively slow growing, but can be very
long-lived, with the maximum recorded
trunk diameter of 4 metres probably only
being reached in about 2,000 years. There
are confirmed claims as high as 5,000-9,500
years, but other evidence based on growth
rates and archaeological work of
surrounding structures suggests the oldest
trees (such as the Fortingall Yew in
Perthshire, Scotland) are more likely to be
in the range of 2,000 years. Even with this lower estimate, Taxus baccata is the longest living plant in
Europe. Norway Spruce nicknamed Old Tjikko, which at an age of 9,550 years is claimed to be the world's oldest known
living trees. A Bristlecone Pine "Prometheus" in California also claims to be the oldest with 4,844 rings counted on a
cross-section of the tree. In front of parking spaces on right when entering Friendship Village Chesterfield
Door # 5..
Fauna commonly seen in Friendship Village Chesterfield:
Birds, 1-21 American Gold Finch; Black Capped Chickadee; Bluebird; Canadian Geese; Cardinal;
Downy Woodpecker; Flicker; Hairy Woodpecker; House Sparrow; Mallard Duck; Mockingbird;
Morning Dove; Owls; Red Headed Woodpecker; Red Tailed Hawk; Red Wing Blackbird; Robin; Ruby
Throated Hummingbird; Slate-Colored Junco; Swan; Turkey. One resident wrote “ I have identified
on (or over) F-V property 22-53 : Great Blue Heron,Turkey Vulture, Mallard, Bald Eagle, Redshouldered Hawk, Spotted Sandpiper, Morning Dove, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Belted
kingfisher, Eastern Wood-pewee, Great-crested flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow, Barn Swallow,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Wood Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown
Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown headed Cowbird, House
Finch, House Sparrow
Cat 22 Several residents keep cats in their Apartments or in the Villas.
Chipmunk
These small mammals fulfill several important functions in
forest ecosystems. Their activities harvesting and hoarding tree seeds play a
crucial role in seedling establishment. Chipmunks play an important role
23
as prey for various predatory mammals and birds, but are also
opportunistic predators themselves, particularly with regard to bird
eggs and nestlings.
Deer 24 frequently are seen in the open spaces around the water retention
pond and in the heavily wooded areas.
Dog
Two dogs are cared for by Friendship Village staff. One is the
“Goose Dog” who wears a dog jacket for easy identification. He is trained
to frighten Canadian Geese when they attempt to nest by the Lake. The
other dog is kept by the Activities staff and Residents are encouraged to
build a relationship with this friendly animal. Several residents keep a dog
in their Villa or Apartments.
25
Fish, 26 several varieties are in the rain water retention lake and
which may be caught and released by residents.
Frogs & Toads 27-28 inhabit the woods, lawns, and retention pond, but are more likely to be seen by
Residents who participate in searching as part of a group listening for singing calls..
Insects, Spiders, Ticks, 29-31 we have them all and reasonable preventative care must be exercised
after exposure in the woods.
Mastodon and Long Horned Bison 32 probably
were seen Ice Age Indians on Friendship Village
land! ~ see http://
associations.missouristate.edu/
mas/macquest/Martens/
MartensSite.html The Martens Site [1997]
is one of the oldest [Paleoindian Period: 9,500 –
8,500 BC] and most important archaeological sites
in the Midwest. It was discovered by a Chesterfield
resident and sat atop a large hillside across the
street from Faust Park. See Nature Walk #17 for
ariel view of F-V Chesterfield and Sink Hole.
For more visit users.stlcc.edu/mfuller/martens
also see Missouri Division of State Parks,
Mastodon State Historic Site is an archaeological
and paleontological site in Imperial, Missouri.
Moles 33 are seen sometimes and we continue to co-exist
without serious consequences. A mole's diet primarily
consists of earthworms and other small invertebrates
found in the soil and also a variety of nuts. Because their
saliva contains a toxin that can paralyze earthworms,
moles are able to store their still living prey for later
consumption. They construct special underground
"larders" for just this purpose—researchers have
discovered such larders with over a thousand earthworms
in them.
Opossum, Rabbit, Raccoon 34-36 are seen infrequently
by Villa Residents who live close to the woods. The
raccoon is a medium-sized mammal native to North
America. It is the largest of the procyonid family, having a
body length of 16 to 28 in and a body weight of 8 to 20 lb.
The raccoon is usually nocturnal and is omnivorous, with a
diet consisting of about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant
foods, and 27% vertebrates. It has a grayish coat, of which
almost 90% is dense underfur, which insulates against cold
weather. Two of its most distinctive features are its
extremely dexterous front paws and its facial mask, which
are themes in the mythology of several Native American
tribes. Raccoons are noted for their intelligence, with
studies showing that they are able to remember the
solution to tasks up to three years later.
Snake, Black 37 Black snake, name for several snakes, not
all closely related, that are black in color. In the United
States the name is applied chiefly to the black racer and to
the black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta), both partly arboreal
in their habits. The black rat snake, also called pilot black
snake and mountain black snake, is found in the NE United
States. Like other rat snakes, it is a constrictor and a
valuable destroyer of rats and mice. It has shiny, slightly
keeled scales and reaches a length of 8 ft.
Squirrel 38 belong to a large family of small or mediumsized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree
squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including
woodchucks), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels
are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and
have been introduced to Australia. Squirrels are first
attested in the Eocene, about forty million years ago, and
are most closely related to the mountain beaver and to the
dormice among living species.
Voles 39 are commonly mistaken for other small animals.
Moles, gophers, mice, rats and even shrews have similar
characteristics and behavioral tendencies. Since voles
will commonly use burrows with many exit holes, they
can be mistaken for gophers or some kind of ground
squirrel. Voles can create and will oftentimes utilize old
abandoned mole tunnels thus confusing the land owner
into thinking that moles are active. When voles find their
way into the home, they are readily misidentified as mice
or young rats. In fact, voles are unique and best described as being a little bit like all the other animals
they are so commonly thought to be.
This Field Guide is intended be used as an overview to conveniently find the names of a significant
cross section of flora and fauna frequently seen by residents of Friendship Village Chesterfield. Flora
names are easier to remember if you select the ones most frequently seen. Then expand to include
others in the same family. And after you are "hooked" just enjoy. Consider this to be "work in
progress" as of June 7, 2011. No claim to infallibility is made, and tell Gene if if you find errors or
omissions. Readers are encourage to make comments and some space is provided at the end for that
purpose.
Alphabetical Index of flora in this Field Guide.
Amaryllis 1 [aka Naked Ladies] Trillium Trail near Garage # 40 ~ exit Door # 4
American Holly 2 Light Pole 42-43
American Yellowwood 3 Picture is of Villa 5 & 7 May 2010 a vintage year!
Ash 4 Specimens Villa 9 & 11, Quadrangle Entrance Door # 5, also Light Pole # 47
Azaleas 5 F-V front yard Villa # 42
Bald Cyprus 6 Entrance Door # 5 inside the Quadrangle, woods north of Villa # 24
Basswood 7
Beach 8 a large specimen off the Traffic Circle and behind Garage #69-70
Birch - White 9 Near Health Center Parking
Blackberry, Thornless 10 F - V planting edge of wooded area near Cedar Trail & Villa 24
Box Elder 11 ArrowHead Estates Road right away immediately East of metal gate and in the line of Black Walnuts.
Boxwood 12
Burning Bush 13 Used as screening for electrical boxes near garages # 33 & #34, near L P # 3 & 4
Castorbean 14 A large specimen can be found most years near Door 6,
Catalpa 15 tree is adjacent to Arrowhead Estates Road at the edge of Faust Park. Near L Pole # 23
Cedar 16 See large specimen Villa 11 near Arrowhead Estates Road
Cedar, Blue Atlas 17 near Private Dining Room, see from Hallway off Fireside Room.
Cedar Trail 18
Cherries, Black 19 Faust Park side of Arrowhead Estates Road Opposite Villa #1.
Cherry, Japanese 20 . The Japanese Cherry in the Quadrangle as viewed from the Library.
Cherry, Weeping 21 Weeping Cherry tree in the Quadrangle as viewed from the Library.
Cottonwood 22 Opposite Villa 15 2008
Crabapple, Flowering 23 Lots of specimens in Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Crabgrass 24
Daffodils
Both sides of Trillium Trail behind Garage # 34
Dogwood 26 Villa 9 front yard, sidewald leading to Theater Room
Dogwood 27 There are several Kousa specimens near the Private Dining Room
Elderberry 28 Along Arrowhead Estates Road on Faust park Side opposite Villa 9
Elm, American 29 in front of LAMELLA BARN, hill side as viewed from the Lower Parking lot
Fern 30 Friendship Village Chesterfield specimens can be found between Door 5 and Door 6.
25
Fir 31
Several specimens ~ this is in front of Villa 11
Firethorn 32 Alongside of Green House in Faust Park, used in propagation of Butterflies for Butterfly House.
Forsythia 33 Find near Entrance Door #
Ginko 34 Several specimens can be see in the sidewalk in the common area between Villas 1 - 41,
Golden Rain 35 Golden Rain is located immediately in front of the Main Dining Room Door
Grape Vines, Wild
36
Lots of specimens in woods in Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Hawthorn 37 The White hawthorn (C. punctata) is the state flower of Missouri.
Hemlock 38 Several specimen on right side of entrance to Concert area in Faust Park.
Honeysuckle 39 The photo on the right is japonica and is invasive at F- V Chesterfield
Horse Chestnut
40
right side of road leading to Music Building in Faust Park.
Hydrangea Annabelle 41 courtyard off the Library has three varieties.
Hydrangea Paniculata 42 courtyard off the Library features three varieties.
Hydrangea Quercifolia 43 courtyard off the Library features all three varieties
Iris 44 F-V Chesterfield has many ~ near Entrance Door 4 opposite Garages 39 & 40
Jack in the pulpit 45 lots of specimens in the heavily wooded areas
Johnson Grass 46
June Berry 47 Scattered specimens but two are directly across from light pole #13
Juniper 48 Friendship Village has lots of Junipers - tall thin ones -and more. Light Pole 15 - 16
Larch 49 Specimens along edge of Butterfly House, and on the road near the Music Outdoor Stage
Lilac 50 F-V Chesterfield brick wall near Door 4
Magnolia, Southern 51
Magnolia, Saucer 52 Courtyard seen from Dining Room full bloom
Magnolia, Star 53 F-V has one outside the Fireplace Room near the PRIVATE DINNING ROOM
Magnolia, Sweet 54 Entrance Door # 6
Magnolia, Tulip 55 Faust Park has a group of 14 mature trees on three acres close to the Barn
Maple, Japanese 56 Near Door 6, and Health Center Exit near Light Pole # 46
Maple, Sugar 57 Light Poles # 19, # 22, and near Entrance Portico
Maple- Red 58 Specimen in front of Village View Drive
May Apple 59 Lots of specimens F-V Chesterfield woods on both Trillium and Cedar trails.
Mimosa 60 Specimens in Faust Park
Mulberry 61 Specimen in front of # 1 Village View Drive walking trail to Faust Park
Mullein 62 F-V in back garage 40
Nut Grass 63
Oak, Chinquapin 64 Arrowhead Estates private Road opposite Villa 15 Light Pole 14-15
Oaks 65 a very large family more than 60 named varieties. BLACK, RED, WHITE, WATER, LIVE
Oak, Darlington 66 12” specimen in picture isdirectly across from Villa 13 driveway.
Oak, Pin 67 . Ring Road Light Pole # 44
Oak, White 68 Opposite Villa 9 Dec 2007 ~ at minimum 5 foot diameter
Oleander 69 F-V Chesterfield Main Dining Room has a potted Oleander plant.
Osage-orange, 70
Paw Paw 71
Pear, Bradford 72 Lots of Bradford Pears in and around Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Pecan 73 Circle road near service entrance to Health Care Center
Peonies 74 F-V Chesterfield has specimens in quadrangle off the Main Dining Room.
Persimmon 75 Circle road in clump of trees near Faust Park.
Pine, Scrub 76
Pine, White 77 specimens in Quadrangle outside of Main Dining Room, near Light Pole # 23,
Poke Berry 78 Between Light Poles #2 & #3 at edge of lawn and forest.
Poison Ivy 79 Repeated applications were necessary to eventually free the area of this toxic plant
Purple Plum 80 F-V between Light Poles # 2 & 3
Raspberries 81 Friendship Village Chesterfield see Villa 11 adjacent to Patio.
Redbud 82 This specimen as seen from sidewalk outside Theater Room near entrance Door # 4
Rhododendron 83 Lots of Rhododendron in Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Rose 84 Lots of roses in Friendship Village Chesterfield.
Russian Olive 85
Sassafras 86 Specimen in the picture is near the sidewalk directly across from L P # 15 and Villa 11
Saxifrages 87 Outside door # 2 adjacent the Health Center
Spruce 88 Lots on Circle Road near Light Poles # 22, # 34, #47, # 51
Sumac Sumac 89 Abundance of Sumac in Faust Park along sidewalk next to lower parking lot.
Sweet Gum 90 Specimen is in F-V Chesterfield quadrangle as seen from Library.
Sycamore 91 Light Pole # 24 near Garage 56
Thuja 92 F-V eight specimens used for screening near Door 2 along Health Center.
Trillium 93 Found along both Trillium & Cedar Trails in Friendship Village Chesterfield woods.
Trillium Trail 94 Enter on concrete path side and back of Garage # 40 opposite Door # 4.
Trumpet Vine 95 Faust Park lots of places - see left side of road leading from Stages to Greenhouse.
Tulip Tree 96 Large Tree visible from Olive Blvd close to Villa 50 front door
Viburnum 97
Virginia Creeper 98. F-V Chesterfield has lots specimens
Walnut, Black 99 Dozen or more large specimens along the Arrowhead Estates Road
Willow, Pussy 100 near of the door opening to the quadrangle that can be seen from the Library.
Wisteria 101
Yew 102 In front of parking spaces on right when entering Friendship Village Chesterfield Door # 5..
Fauna commonly seen in Friendship Village Chesterfield:
Birds, 1-21 American Gold Finch; Black Capped Chickadee; Bluebird; Canadian Geese;
Cardinal; Downy Woodpecker; Flicker; Hairy Woodpecker; House Sparrow; Mallard Duck;
Mockingbird; Morning Dove; Owls; Red Headed Woodpecker; Red Tailed Hawk; Red Wing
Blackbird; Robin; Ruby Throated Hummingbird; Slate-Colored Junco; Swan; Turkey;
Cat 22
Chipmunk 23 Deer 24 Dog
Frogs & Toads 27-28
Insects, Spiders, Ticks, 29-31
Mastodon and Long Horned Bison 32
Moles 33
Opossum, Rabbit, Raccoon 34-36
Snake, Black 37
Squirrel 38
Voles 39
25
jFish, 26
# 10
# 10 A
# 11
Nature Walk 10
Nature Walk # 10a
Nature Walk # 11
# 14
# 15
Nature Walk with Gene # 16 Friendship Village Chesterfield
July 19, 2011
This Black Maple is on the right side of the Entrance Portico. Acer nigrum is a species of maple closely
related to sugar maple, and treated as a subspecies of it by some authors. Identification can be confusing due to
the tendency of the two species to form hybrids. The simplest and most accurate method for distinguishing
between the two trees is the generally three-lobed leaves of the black maple versus the generally five-lobed
leaves of the sugar maple. The leaves of the black maple also tend to have a "droopy" appearance.
Weeping Beech in nook near Entrance Door # 7 Beech (Fagus) is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees
in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.The
flowers are small single-sex (monoecious), the female flowers borne in pairs, the
male flowers wind-pollinating catkins, produced in spring shortly after the new
leaves appear.
The bark is smooth and light gray. The fruit is a small, sharply three–angled nut.
The nuts are edible, though bitter with a high tannin content, and are called
beechmast.Beech grows on a wide range of soil types, acid or basic, provided
they are not waterlogged. The tree canopy casts dense shade, and carpets the
ground with dense leaf litter, and the ground flora beneath may be sparse.In
North America, they often form Beech-Maple climax forests by partnering with
the Sugar Maple. Beech wood is an excellent firewood, easily split and burning
for many hours with bright but calm flames. Chips of beech wood are used in the
brewing of Budweiser beer as a fining agent.. Beech is also used to smoke some
cheeses.
All previous Nature Walks with Gene are in a new book in the
Library entitled A Field Book of Flora and Fauna of Friendship
Village Chesterfield. 102 pictures of Flora with locations described!
If needed the Library Committee can help you find the copy.
[email protected] or phone 314-733-0711. If you would like
an electronic copy, ask to have your email address added to the current
list.
Nature Walk with Gene #19
Venus - Jupiter - Sirus - Orion January 5, 2012
January’s early evening clear sky is spectacular with four of the brightest
natural objects very visible! Please take a few moments to go outside so
that you can enjoy. Venus is always brighter than any star. Currently the
planet can be seen shortly before sunset high in the in the Western sky
about 30° above the horizon. For comparison purposes 90° is looking
straight up ~ in the picture on the right Venus is about 10° above the
horizon and that is where Venus will be a few hours after sunset tonight.
On January 2, 2012 the Moon appeared to be very close to Jupiter as seen
in the photograph to the right. The Moon moves from the western >>
horizon to the eastern horizon in 14 days a total of 180° which equates to
about 13° each day. The picture is “Looking South, High in the Sky”
Jupiter has 63 known satellites (as of Feb 2004): the four large Galilean
moons plus many more small ones some of which have not yet been
named.
Star gazing from Friendship Village is somewhat limited because of all the
city lights but Sirus, the brightest star in the sky can be found by looking
south at 6:00 PM any clear night this month. Three stars in >>> the “belt”
of the Constellation Orion point to Sirius.
A number of Friendship Village residents have been regularly attending
the current Lecture Series The History of the Universe and have shown a
strong interest in learning more about the stars..
The picture on the right compares sizes of common stars
to show their relative size and how distance between the
observer and the star can distort how big it is perceived.
As an example Sirius the brightest star as seen from >>>
Earth is very tiny in comparison with the Betelgeuse, but
huge [°] when the compared to our Sun which is only a
[email protected]
dot [.]
<<<>>>
Nature Walk with Gene
#20
March 7, 2012
Venus passes Jupiter, closest on March 13 Venus moves eastward with
the sun — again due to Earth's orbit
— and it passes Jupiter on March 14.
It will be quite a display in the
evening sky. Keep watching each
evening now as they slowly move
together.
In March, Venus and Jupiter continue
their relentless convergence until, on
March 12th and 13th, the duo lie only
three degrees apart—a spectacular
double beacon in the sunset sky (sky
map). Now you’ll be able to hide
them together behind a pair of
outstretched fingertips.
This isn't a particularly rare event, but it is
visually spectacular. Since Venus orbits closer
to the sun than our planet does, we can only see it
within about 45 degrees of the sun. Venus is the
“evening star” when we see it after sunset in the
west, as it is now, and is the “morning star” when
we see it before sunrise in the east, as it will be
from late June through the rest of 2012.
The crescent moon, Jupiter, and Venus shine
brightly in the early night sky as their light is
reflected off of a still pool at Great Falls National
Park Sunday evening. >>>>
[email protected]
636 733 0711
Nature Walk with Gene
#21 June 13, 2012
Shamrock as shown at Friendship Village >>>
Chesterfield’s Horticulture Show June 13-14
Wikipedia - The shamrock is a three-leaved old white
clover. It is known as a symbol of Ireland, with St.
Patrick having used it as a metaphor for the Christian
Trinity. The name shamrock is derived from Irish
seamróg.
Oxalis acetosella growing at Phoenix Park, Dublin,
Ireland. >>>
It is sometimes of the variety Trifolium repens (white
clover, Irish: seamair bhán) but today usually Trifolium
dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). However,
other three-leaved plants — such as Medicago lupulina,
Trifolium pratense, and Oxalis — are sometimes
designated as shamrocks. The shamrock was
traditionally used for its medicinal properties and was
a popular motif in Victorian times.
Oxalis (!/!"ks"l#s/)[1] is by far the largest genus in the
wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae: of the approximately
900 known species in the Oxalidaceae, 800 belong
here. The genus occurs throughout most of the world,
except for the polar areas; species diversity is
particularly rich in tropical Brazil, Mexico and South
Africa. Many of the species are known as woodsorrels as they have an acidic taste reminiscent of the
unrelated sorrel (Rumex acetosa) proper. For the
genus as a whole, the term oxalises is also used.
Shamrock
Nature Walk with Gene
American Yellowwood in front of Villa 11, on
Village View Drive, Friendship Village
Chesterfield. Bloomed one month earlier in
2012 as compared with picture below which is
dated May 2010!
The picture below is on page 2 of the Field
Guide to Flora & Fauna Friendship Village
Chesterfield. Two copies are displayed in the
Lobby on the desk which has the Photographs
of residents.
Incidentally if anyone reading the Field Guide
and/or this flyer would like an electronic copy
it is available for free and you can install it on
your computer as a handy reference. It is a
PDF file which means you can enlarge the
photos and really see the detail. I have a
memory stick which can be down loaded to
your computer if you are interested.
American Yellowwood 3 (Cladrastis kentukea) The
American Yellowwood can put on one of the most
spectacular flowering displays of any tree species. The
blossoms appear in late spring, when numerous
wisteria-like foot-long flower clusters droop from the
branches. The color is normally white, but can be pink.
In either case, a mature tree in full bloom is a stunning
sight. In recognition of its beauty, the species was given
the prestigious Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold
Award in 1994. Unfortunately, many people have never
seen the tree in bloom. The species is rare in the wild
and seldom planted in yards. Also, most specimens don't
flower profusely every year, but only at two to four year
intervals. Picture is of Villa 5 & 7 May 2010 a vintage
year!
contact 636-733-0711 eugenemcginty@charter,net
#22
April 23, 2012
Nature Walk with Gene
#23
April 21, 2012
Part of the exciting
display as seen from
the sidewalk outside
the Theater Room.
Viburnum plicatum f.
tomentosum 'Shasta' aka
doublefile viburnum:
white, showy fruit,
attracts birds, and
butterflies. Non-fragrant
white flowers in flattopped clusters (4-6"
diameter umbels) bloom in profusion along the branches in mid to late spring.
Flower clusters appear in two rows or files, hence the common name of
doublefile viburnum. Flower clusters have a lace-cap effect (small, non-showy
inner fertile flowers with a showy outer ring of pure white sterile flowers). Fertile
flowers give way in July to large clusters of red berry-like drupes which
eventually mature to black. Fruits are attractive to birds and wildlife. Ovate, dark
green leaves (to 5" long) turn an attractive reddish purple in fall.
Large Tulip tree which can be easily seen from
Olive Boulevard, is located near Villa 50. Currently
in full bloom April 21, 2012. The blooms are very
showy when viewed up close but frequently not >>
noticed because the color does not stand out.
Liriodendron tulipifera, commonly known as the tulip
tree, American tulip tree, tuliptree, tulip poplar or
yellow poplar, is the Western Hemisphere
representative of the two-species genus Liriodendron, and the tallest
eastern hardwood. It is native to eastern North America from Southern
Ontario and Illinois eastward across southern New England and south to
central Florida and Louisiana. It can grow to more than 50 m (165!feet) in
virgin cove forests of the Appalachian Mountains, often with no limbs
until it reaches 25–30 m (80–100!feet) in height, making it a very valuable
timber tree. It is fast-growing, without the common problems of weak
wood strength and short lifespan often seen in fast-growing species.
For more information 636 733 0711 or [email protected]
Nature Walk with Gene
Northern Catalpa (Catalpa
speciosa) is a species native to
the midwestern United States.
Friendship Village Chesterfield
specimens can be found along
Arrowhead Estates Road near
entry Door # 6 and the swinging
iron gates adjacent to Faust Park.
Full bloom now ~ it won’t last!
call 636-733-0711
[email protected]
#24
April 29, 2012
Nature Walk with Gene
#25
May 20, 2012
Eclipse chasers around the world ...
Weather permitting from St Louis look
west tonight at 7:25 PM and the sun and
moon aren't the only objects to see in the
sky during the eclipse. "Look for Venus
— it's shining east of the sun by about
two fist-widths at arm's length," advises a senior editor with
Sky & Telescope magazine. "Jupiter and Mercury will be
tougher. They're on the other side of the sun by about a quarter
and a third as far, respectively, and they're not as bright."
“A simple and safe way to experience the eclipse is to crisscross your fingers waffle-style and
view the projected rays of light on a surface below them, or stand under a tree to see ringshaped sunbeams on the ground. It's only when sunlight passes through a small aperture that
you the get the 'pinhole effect' necessary for solar imaging. Gaps in the leaves between trees or
between interwoven human fingers are perfect for this purpose."
The pin hole effect whereby trees project images of the sun
on the ground is not limited to viewing eclipses. Del and I
recently walked in Faust Park from the Lamella Barn to
Thornhill on a sunny day and we got to see hundreds of
[email protected] 636-733-0711
suns projected on the trail.
Nature Walk with Gene
Venus transits Sun
#26
June 4, 2012
6/4/2012 This Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on where you live, sky-watchers around
the world will be able to see a
cosmic spectacle known as a transit
of Venus. The events are so rare
that only six Venus transits have
Type to enter text
been observed since the invention
of the telescope more than
400 years ago.
< Note small dot near the
right edge of the this picture.
This is a photograph of Venus
as it was in transit of Sun in
2004. This is very similar to
the projection that Friendship
Village resident Jim Pierce
was able to achieve with his small telescope this evening when the clouds
cleared for excellent viewing of this rare event!
Jim & Joy set up their telescope on the lawn above the Lake and invited Friendship Village
Chesterfield residents to come and enjoy the view. Jim’s projection was in black and white on
Note
that the Sun is about a million miles in diameter and it takes Venus
nearly one hour to complete the transit so there was plenty of time for
Jim and his friends to comfortably enjoy this unique event.
the side of a cardboard box and was approximately the same size as the photo above.
Transits happen when a planet crosses between Earth and the sun. Only Mercury and Venus,
which are closer to the sun than Earth, can undergo this unusual alignment.
The last Venus transit was in 2004—above, the planet glides across the rising sun in a
picture taken during the event from the North Carolina coastline. After 2012, we won't
see another transit of Venus until 2117.
About the author of this Field Guide. Gene has long appreciated
plants and animals having been born December 1917 during a blizzard
on a wheat farm in North Dakota. Gene’s parents were share-crop wheat
farmers in North Dakota and Montana prior to relocating to a stump
ranch farm in Poulsbo, Washington in 1931.
As a Boy Scout Counselor for Nature Merit Badges Gene became
serious about identifying flora and fauna in New England, and has
nurtured this to include Friendship Village Chesterfield, Missouri.
Work history started in June 1934 when both his father and brother joined the
CCC near Bremerton, Washington leaving Gene to tend the farm chores and
more. This included milking the cows, driving the car for necessary shopping and for marketing farm dressed
chickens in nearby Port Gamble.
In 1935 Gene also joined the CCC in Bremerton but was soon moved to North Bend, Washington camp on the
South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. He helped built fire roads into National Forests in the Cascade Mountains
mostly as a jackhammer operator for first 6 months. He was promoted to Assistant to the Educational Advisor
for the last 21 months.
Summer 1938 & 1939 Gene drove truck on the Sam Irwin 3000 acre wheat ranch at Prescott, Washington which
is north of Walla Walla. Sam still farmed with mules in 1938 and one of the combines was drawn by 32 mules!
In addition four more mules were used to collect the wheat sacks which had been dropped randomly so they
could be placed at locations where they could be reached by truck and hauled to the warehouse in Prescott.
Pathe News took pictures in 1938 at Sam Erwin’s ranch because it was the last 32 mule rig still operating in the
World! Sam probably owned a total of 50 horses
and mules in 1938 but that dropped rapidly as two
new Caterpillar tractors were purchased.
The picture on the right is representative of the 32
mule combines used on Sam Irwin ranch. The
picture is from the Washington State Historical
Society’s collection and is much earlier ~ circa
1910 and shows five mule drivers sitting on a perch
over the mules. There are more than 150 horse/
mules in that picture of perhaps 10 acres of a
Palouse wheat field. The logistics of providing food
and water to that many animals had to be very
challenging!
The Irwin 32 mule rig was pulled by four rows of
eight mules, and the driver sat above the mules on a
ladder type extension from the combine threshing machine. This placed the driver over mules # 4 & 5 on row
one and two. He could almost touch four mules from that position. The mule driver’s control of the animals
was mostly verbal with smart mules put in positions one & eight of the row four which was farthest from
combine. These two mules were trained to respond to pulls from straps connected to bits in their mouths and in
the hands of the mule driver. The driver also had a bucket full of dirt clods to throw at mules that were not
responding but seldom actually used the clods as he would very shortly be out of ammunition.
The sacked wheat was jigged so that each bag would contain two and 1/3 bushels for a total weight of 153 lbs,
which was determined by an economic decision based on labor cost/versus fewer bags mathematics. Gene’s job
was to pickup those 153 pound bags and load 60 on the truck in less than six minutes and then drive to town
five miles away and unload at a warehouse all within one hour. In order to get maximum sacks delivered in the
12 hour workday at the warehouse, Gene needed to eat breakfast at 5 AM and arrive at the warehouse in
advance of the other trucks so he could unload at 6 AM when the warehouse opened. Warehouse closing was 6
PM and the truck driver had to be in the unloading line by 6 PM or come back the next morning. By 7:00 PM
the truck would have been serviced, gas + oil + lube every day as this was under extreme dust and heavy loads
conditions, and made ready for the next day trips. Dinner by 7:30 PM and to sleep by 8:30 PM after a 14 hour
work day! This repeated 6 days a week until all 22000 bags had been delivered to the warehouse. Gene got one
cent for each bag, and averaged $7.20 a day for 30 days for a total of $220 to be used to attend College.
On a few Sundays Gene worked on the mule drawn combine as a sack jig [the regular sack jig wanted a day off
to go home to his family] and when the sack was full, passed it to the “sack sewer” who used thread & needle to
close the top of the sack and then he put it in a chute that held five sacks. The chute was opened later to
strategically lay the wheat sacks on the hill side to be picked up by horse and wagon and stacked in the valleys.
A few of the sacks would slide down the steepest slopes - occasionally 100 or more feet and these had to be
retrieved later individually. Retrieving these 153 lbs sacks of wheat was very difficult as they had to be wrestled
up a slippery steep hillside, and then put on a saddle of a horse and moved to a spot where it could be picked up
by the truck. $1.00 per sack was the going rate for retrieving errant bags for the owner who would then be able
to sell it for about $5.
The wear and tear on fingers was serious as moving 720 x 2 = 1400 sacks a day [load and unload that weigh
153 lbs] create a lot of friction to hands that were not used to it. My fingers bled sometimes. Gloves were not a
practical option as they wore out rapidly and were clumsy in gripping the sack
Knees of pants also wore out rapidly and innovative repairs were needed to keep the cost down. The wear on the
pant knee was incurred during the lifting of a sack from the ground to the top level of the loaded wheat on the
truck, which would be about 5 ft. It takes lots of energy to grab a sack and lift it up five foot and place on the
truck in a single movement - this is accomplished by lowering to the ground in a squat position, grabbing one
ear of the sack at the top and a corner at the bottom, rising on the legs to upright position to get the sack
moving, then accelerate the sack with one knee to complete the lift to five feet and then pushing it to arms
length to the proper space in the top row which would be in the center of the truck. Hitting that sack with the
knee 720 times a day soon wore out the original fabric and I learned to make cheap and effective repairs by
smearing a discarded denim from other pants with water glass. The repair did not look very good but it was
effective. Water glass was available from the kitchen, at no cost to me, as it was commonly used to preserve
eggs up to 90 days without refrigeration!
Genes first professional job started Feb !942 at the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding as a Cost Accountant. He was
soon appointed Immigrant Inspector and stationed in Seattle from 1942-1946. He joined Monsanto in 1947 in
Seattle and moved several times over the next 35 years ending his career as the Accounting Manager of the New
Enterprise Division in St Louis. He moved from Seattle to Santa Clara California 1953-1955, to Springfield
Mass 1955-1961, to St Louis 1961- 66, to London, England 1966-67, and then back to St Louis where he retired
a couple weeks prior to age 65 in 1982.
Del and Gene met at a Square Dance Jamboree in Belleville, Illinois in March 1974 and were married June
1977 in Chesterfield, Mo at the Bonhomme Presbyterian Church aka Old Stone Church, on Conway Road.
Gene & Del traveled extensively to Square and Round Dance events in most
of the States including Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Puerto Rico, and in
fifteen foreign countries such as Australia, Canada, Caribbean Islands, China,
Costa Rico, England, Egypt, Germany, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand,
Scotland, Sweden, Tibet, Venezuela. Also has visited 34 other countries
including Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Belgium, Belize,
Bermuda, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador & Galapagos Islands, Estonia, Finland,
France, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Scotland,
Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican, Wales. Insert picture has the Chillon
Castle, Montreux Switzerland as a backdrop.
Gene & Del have logged a lot of days [206] at sea on Cruise Ships ~ picture is
from 2006 36 day Queen Mary 2 Maiden Voyage around South America
including Cape Horn and Magellan Straits. The photo includes their German
Dinner Companions who live in the Dominica Republic and remain in
contact. Gene & Del are making plans to visit them in November 2011 and
will stay in Cabarete on the North Shore of the island and facing the
Atlantic Ocean.
Cued Ballroom
and Latin
Dancing has
been a major
hobby for
many years
and Gene
currently has a workshop every Monday afternoon 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the Theater room, for Friendship Village
residents and their guests.
Has lots of other hobbies, astronomy, and
herb gardens, ping pong, pocket billiards,
woodcarving see photograph ~ chestnut wood
chain, black walnut salad tongs and the one
surface "Mobius strip" twisted loop in White
Cedar. Gene was a welterweight varsity
boxer, at WSC 1941 with bouts at Gonzaga,
University of Idaho, and the Pacific Coast Tournament in Sacramento. Gene
uses an iMac computer to handle a variety of interests including photos, music,
genealogy, personal finance, correspondence, and for printing booklets such as
this.
Gene married Sammy Lorraine Holtz in November 30, 1940 when both
were in their senior year at WSC. They both worked in the College
Library and had started dating a year earlier. Married students attending
college were not very common at that time. Sammy’s parents were
deceased and both had been on staff for WSC, Henry as an agricultural
chemist and Minnie taught in home economics. Sammy’s degree was in
Secretarial Science but her passion was in Modern Dance influenced by
Martha Graham, and watercolor painting under Clyfford Still. She
enjoyed being a wife and mother of our two boys Tim born 1943, and
Danne 1947. Sammy died in 1974 as a seven year survivor of breast
cancer.
Tim married Idie Nakano a few days after they both received Architectural degrees June 1966 from the
University of Kansas. They had one daughter, Miko born 1971 who holds BS and Masters degrees from Yale.
Miko married Nathan Carter who also has a Master degree from Yale and they have one son Kaz born August
12, 2008.
As poor rancher/farmers in Antelope, Montana 1929-1931, we had our own coal mine which could be
conveniently entered horizontally from the bottom of a gully. The coal seam was about 5 ft thick so my
Shetland pony was put to work as the mine mule. Mine safety was not an issue in those days but miners knew
not to remove to much coal or risk the roof caving in. The main shaft was about four feet wide and the rooms
off that shaft were 8 ft X 16 ft and were considered safe for the first few months after they were opened.
Blasting was from a 2 inch bore hole drilled perhaps 36 inches into the coal seam. My brother and I filled
rolled newspapers with black blasting powder, poked a fuse into the tube full of powder, and pushed the unit
into the blasting hole. Meanwhile Dad would drill more holes and when the wall to be blasted was completed
we kids, 12 & 13 years old, would exit the mine and Dad would light the many fuzes and then join us outside
and wait for the explosions. We would count the explosions to make sure that all fuses had exploded the
powder, as a delayed explosion had the potential of killing our Dad if he went in to soon. The smoke from the
explosion would dissipate in a half hour or so and then the newly blasted coal could be removed.
The atmosphere of the Earth is changing, and I have personally observed it ~ In the 1950's I used to fly from
San Francisco to Seattle frequently and on clear days would help navigate by identifying the volcanoes in the
coastal range. One day while flying at 20,000 foot, in brilliant sunshine and unlimited visibility, over Crater
Lake, I could look back to see Mt. Shasta in California, see the mountains in Oregon including Mt. Hood which
lay a short distance away, and farther North into Washington could identify Mt. St Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt.
Rainier on the horizon. I could faintly make out Mt. Baker which is some 600 miles away and close to the
Canadian border. Long distance visibility of 600 miles does not happen often anymore and it is rare to see
identifiable objects more than a couple hundred miles away.
Residents of Friendship Village Chesterfield are invited to download
this Field Guide in full color and for free! Just ask Gene to plug in
the DataTraveler shown on the left, and in less than a minute you
will be able to see it on your computer screen in a format which can
be enlarged to fill your screen.
<< This electronic device is used to transfer large document files
which are to big to be attached to an email. Gene can plug into your
computer and in less than one minute you will have a permanent file and free!
9/21/2011 Hope Stemme
called to say she loved the
Field Guide. She was
interested to printing her
own book of about 90 pages
She wants the down load on
her computer, and to learn
more about printing her
work, and I promised to
provide some help.
hi Mac and Del, we enjoyed your
field guide to flora and fauna. could
you email it to midge i know she
would enjoy reading about you and
the nature around you.
[email protected] thank you!
nori and steb
Maggie Talbott was
enthusiastic about the
book and wanted to share
her tree frog in the Health
Center garden.
The blank spaces below are reserved for Readers comments as to how useful this document has been
for them including notation involving corrections and omissions.
1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .