Download Quincy Salt-Marsh Trail

Quincy Salt-Marsh Trail
A Self-Guiding Nature Trail
at Reuben and Lizzie Grossman Memorial Park
by Brenda Shore and Jennifer Forman Orth
illustrated by Beth Paulding
Visit the Virtual Trail at http://www.virtualnaturetrail.com/sailors
The Quincy Salt Marsh Trail is a half-mile long self-guided nature
walk designed to showcase the major plant and animal species that
find their homes in and around the Quincy salt marsh. Whether you
are involved in a major ecological research project or simply out
for a leisurely stroll on a pleasant summer day, this guide will help
you use the numbered markers along the trail to identify noteworthy
plant and animal habitats.
Each season brings its own visual treats. As early as May, many
flowers dot the landscape. In summer, or early fall
the colors of the marsh reach their peak and
provide magnificent views.
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Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................5
Trail Map.......................................................................................................6
Stops Along the Trail...................................................................................8
Glossary......................................................................................................26
Resources....................................................................................................28
Acknowledgements...................................................................................29
Rulers...........................................................................................................31
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Introduction
Originally designed and constructed in 1973 by Eagle Scout Charles
Phelan Junior, with the assistance of Quincy Boy Scout Troop #20, the
Quincy Salt Marsh Trail was updated and restored in 1999 through
the efforts of local educators at the Beechwood Knoll Elementary
School, which is located at the edge of the marsh. With the help of
the Beechwood Knoll School’s principal, Kathleen Morris, and parent
and community member Maureen McCarron, Beechwood Knoll
Elementary School teacher Brenda Shore put together a committee
of school staff, parents and community members to work on the
restoration project.
Under the direction of Ms. Shore, students at Beechwood Knoll
Elementary School currently use the marsh as a living laboratory for
school and after school science enrichment activities. Furthermore,
students have been invited to adopt the trail and become its
caretakers.
The Quincy Salt Marsh Trail, along with the surrounding marshland,
is under the protection of the Quincy Conservation Commission. The
Commission is dedicated to keeping this land preserved in its natural
state for the enjoyment and benefit of all the citizens of Quincy.
Vandalism is one of the most persistent threats to the quality and
continued existence of the nature trail. So that others may enjoy the
trail after you have gone, please be careful with fire, and do not
pick the plants or disturb the animals. Please keep the trail clean of
litter.
One word of caution: watch out for the patches of Poison Ivy that in
some places grow right up to the edges of the trail. Certain plants
and flowers may be toxic, poisonous and/or cause a skin rash upon
contact.
Thank you, and enjoy your walk!
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Trail Map Index
1. Eastern Redcedar/Chinese Lantern............................................8
2. Seaside Goldenrod/Yarrow........................................................8
3. Salt Spray Rose..............................................................................9
4. Marsh Elder.....................................................................................9
5. Sea Blite........................................................................................10
6. Glasswort......................................................................................10
7. Tidal Channel (Upper and Lower Marsh)...............................11
8. Gray Birch....................................................................................12
9. Island.............................................................................................12
10. Multiflora Rose.............................................................................13
11. Caddy Park..................................................................................13
12. Black Cherry.................................................................................14
13. Saltmeadow Cordgrass...............................................................14
14. Staghorn Sumac...........................................................................15
15. Mosquito Ditches..........................................................................15
16. Bayberry.......................................................................................18
17. Black Oak.....................................................................................18
18. Sailors’ Cemetery........................................................................19
19. Bird Watch....................................................................................20
20. Smooth Cordgrass........................................................................20
21. Crabapple....................................................................................21
22. Wildlife/Queen Anne’s Lace.....................................................21
23. Osprey Nest.................................................................................22
24. Value of the Salt Marsh.............................................................22
25. Poison Ivy.......................................................................................23
26. Common Reed...............................................................................23
27. Tansy/Chicory..............................................................................24
28. Pokeweed/Butter and Eggs.......................................................24
29. Reuben A. and Lizzie Grossman Park Memorial...................25
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Stop 1
Eastern Redcedar – Juniperus virginiana
This evergreen tree is typically covered with small bluish-green
scale-like leaves. Juvenile plants have leaves that are more
needle-like, pointed and awl-shaped. An adult tree may have
both types of foliage. Male plants have tiny, capsule-shaped
brown cones, while females produce waxy blue, berry-like
cones that are about 0.25 inches long. Mature trees have
reddish brown bark with long vertical strips that may have a
shredded appearance. Redcedar has aromatic wood that has
historically been used to build cedar chests and fence posts
and to manufacture pencils.
Chinese Lantern – Physalis alkekengi
The common name of this plant comes from its distinctive
fruit. As the fruits of this plant develop in fall, the
large sepals of the flowers enclose an orange berry,
resembling a large “paper sack” that looks like a
miniature Chinese lantern. Later in the season the papery
sepals turn brown and start to disintegrate, giving them
a lacy appearance and showcasing the fruit inside. This species is
a member of the Potato family (Solanaceae), can be annual or perennial, and will
grow well in any well-drained soil with strong sun.
Stop 2
Seaside Goldenrod – Solidago sempervirens
Goldenrods are very common border plants among irregularly
flooded salt and brackish marshes. Their large, showy clusters
of bright yellow flowers give color to the marsh border in the
late summer and early fall. While there are several species
of goldenrod that grown along the trail, Seaside Goldenrod
predominates. It is a fleshy herbaceous plant with smooth stems
(though the flowering section of the stem may be rough or hairy).
Its leaves are stalkless, alternately arranged and lance-shaped,
and decrease in size toward the top of the stem. Plants are
typically 3-4 feet tall but may be as much as 7 feet high.
Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
Yarrow is a weedy plant, usually found in fields and along
roadsides. It has small white (or sometimes pink) flowers
arranged in tight clusters in a flat-topped inflorescence, making
it easy to confuse with Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota).
Its slender fern-like leaves are greenish-grey and emit an herby scent when crushed.
Yarrow can be found blooming along the trail from June through September. 8
Stop 3
Salt Spray Rose – Rosa rugosa
This rough, extremely thorny shrub grows
around the border of the salt marsh, often
in dense clumps that are several feet in
diameter. Also known as beach rose, this
species blooms June through October,
producing large, five-petaled flowers in
bright fuchsia and sometimes white. In the
fall, large scarlet rosehips develop that some
people use to make an excellent jelly. Salt
Spray Rose was introduced to the U.S. from
Japan during the 19th century, and thrives
along the Atlantic seacoast. It has frequently
been used to stabilize beaches and dunes,
and is now labeled as invasive in some
states.
Stop 4
Marsh Elder – Iva frutescens
Also known as High-Tide Bush, this species is a
member of the Composite or Aster family, a
deciduous shrub that typically grows about 6
feet tall, but sometimes reaches 12 feet. It can be
recognized by its oppositely-arranged toothed
leaves that taper as they near the tip of the stem.
Situated on the numerous leafy spikes are thick
clusters of small greenish white flowers that attach
directly to the stems.
Marsh elder flowers from August to October
along the upper borders of the salt marsh, where
flooding sometimes occurs. Its native geographic
range extends as far north as Nova Scotia and
south to Florida.
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Stop 5
Sea Blite – Suaeda linearis
Sea Blite is an herbaceous, upright plant that ranges
in height from less than a foot to almost three feet tall.
Its numerous branches are covered with dark green,
fleshy leaves that are typically flat on one side and
rounded on the other. The leaves and shape of the
stems give this plant a spiked appearance. From
August through October, Sea Blite produces clusters
of one to three inconspicuous green flowers in the
axils of its leaves. It can be found along salt marshes
and sandy beaches.
Stop 6
Glasswort – Salicornia europaea
This plant has a distinct fleshy and jointed stem, with
branches that are oppositely arranged. Though it
appears to be leafless, its leaves are actually tiny
scales. Take a closer look and you will see many
variations in the growth habits of the Glasswort in
this area and throughout the marsh.
Glasswort grows low in the salt marsh and may
sometimes be submerged by the tide. Salt water
creates a hostile environment and demands that
a plant have special adaptations to survive. In this
case, the fleshy stem allows the cells to resist the
drying effects of salt water. Glasswort is classified
as a halophyte, a category for plants that require a
salty environment for survival.
If you are visiting the trail in autumn, you can easily
pick out glasswort patches along the salt marsh by
the vivid flame red color. This salty, fleshy plant has
been used to give a salty tang to salads, and another
of its common names, Pickleweed, comes from the use
of young glasswort stems to make pickles.
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Stop 7
Anatomy of the Salt Marsh –
Tidal Channel and Transition of Lower to Upper Marsh
The close proximity of salt marshes to the ocean means
that they are greatly influenced by the tides. Tidal
marshes are among the most productive ecosystems in
the world. The plants and algae found here use a higher
percentage of sunlight than most other communities,
resulting in much more food being produced for all of the
salt marsh inhabitants.
The marsh you see here is naturally arranged. The low
marsh is closest to the saltwater source and is normally
flooded or exposed daily to the ebb and flow of the tide
via the tidal channels. The channels are what give sea
life access to the nutrient rich land. Some creatures have
evolved to adapt and grow in the marsh, while others are
consumed by the marsh and its wild life as nutrition or are
washed back out to sea.
The salt marsh can be a harsh environment for vegetation,
but it produces an abundance of nutrients to sustain a
vast array of plant and animal life. Seventy percent of
all ocean fish either spend part of their life on a salt
marsh or feed on fish that have lived there. The success
and productivity of the marsh is a result of its being a
meeting place for sea life and land nutrients.
The lower marsh is predominantly covered by a single
plant species: the tall form of smooth cordgrass (Spartina
Spartina
alterniflora).). The tidal movements flood this land
daily. Closer to the inland, the upper marsh is flooded
irregularly, and exposed to the air for a longer duration
than the lower marsh. The vegetation in the upper marsh
is more diverse, and includes grasses such as the short
form of smooth cordgrass, saltmeadow cordgrass
(Spartina patens) and spike grass (Distichlis spicata).).
Upstream from the marsh is the other type of tidal
marsh called the brackish marsh, a mixture of fresh and
salt water. Brackish waters are mostly associated with
estuaries and are transitional zones where streams, rivers
and the ocean meet. The brackish environment attracts
diverse species that have the ability to adapt to the daily
changes in temperature, salinity and alternate drying
and submergence.
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Stop 8
Gray Birch - Betula populifolia
The Gray Birch is a small tree that frequently
colonizes burned-out or disturbed areas. It is
short-lived, often dying soon after it is shaded
out by larger trees. Its chalky white bark
resembles that of a paper birch but does not
peel as easily. The trunk includes many dark
inverted v’s (chevrons) along various horizontal
marks and at the base of its branches. Leaves
are double-toothed, as is typical of all birch
species, but the twigs lack the wintergreen odor
characteristic of other birches.
Birch has been valued in the cabinetmaking
industry, and also for the manufacturing of
smaller household tools such as spools and
clothespins.
Stop 9
Salt Marsh Formations – a salt marsh island
This elevated patch of land within the salt marsh
collects fresh water in a “lens” while suppressing the
salt water underneath. Land formations like this
are found in many salt marshes. There are many
different ways that this island could have
formed. Perhaps the tide washed in debris
and other foreign materials (silt, sand and
other plant life) that became encased in the
mud while gradually forming the island. Or the
island could be the by-product of leftover glacial
deposits. However it was formed, it is worthy
to note that the plant species growing
here are less salt-tolerant, terrestrial
species.
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Stop 10
Multiflora Rosa – Rosa multiflora
This thorny shrub produces clusters of
small, fragrant white flowers (occasionally
light pink). It averages a height of 3 to
15 feet and blossoms from May to June.
It bears fruit in the form of a small fleshy
hip that is attractive to birds, who disperse
the seeds.
Native to Asia, Multiflora Rose was once
widely planted as a ground cover and as
shelter for wildlife. It can be a nuisance
in fields, open areas and any area it
spreads, and is considered an invasive
species in many states.
Stop 11
Caddy Park
From this spot you can look across the marsh to Caddy Memorial Park, which was
named for William Caddy, a private who died at Iwo Jima in W.W.II. Private
Caddy received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery. Caddy Park is a
nice spot to enjoy a picnic and catch a different view of the marsh area, including
Black’s Creek. Located
across from Wollaston
Beach, the park can be
accessed directly from
Quincy Shore Drive, between
Fenno Street and Furnace
Brook Parkway. A parking lot
is located adjacent to the park.
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Stop 12
Black Cherry – Prunus serotina
The large, fruit-laden trees you see here are no
doubt at least partly responsible for the many birds
that frequent this area. Birds and small mammals
relish the bitter bluish-black fruit of the Black Cherry.
Wild cherry syrup and jellies can be prepared from
the fruit when it reaches maturity in late summer.
A Black Cherry tree can reach a height of 50-60 feet
and a diameter of about 3 feet. Young trees have
smooth, dark reddish-brown bark. On the mature
trees the outer bark is rough with short horizontal
lines. Beneath this bark, cracked openings reveal a
red-brown underbark.
Many years ago this are fell victim to a fire. The
burnt and charred area temporarily created
hardship for the animals that live here. The food
chain they relied upon was disrupted and shelters
were destroyed. Over time the nutrients that were
generated from the fire caused new vegetation to
grow, generated rebirth of this forested area, and
sparked the beginning of a new life cycle for both
plants and animals.
Stop 13
Saltmeadow Cordgrass – Spartina patens
This grass is found mostly in the upper marsh area
where it is flooded irregularly, sometimes only
monthly during spring and storm tides. It adapts
to the high salinity by secreting salt through special
glands. It is a low to medium spreading grass, often
forming cowlicked mats. The stem is slender, wirelike and hollow. Saltmarsh Cordgrass flowers from
late June to October.
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Stop 14
Staghorn Sumac – Rhus typhina
This tree can be easily recognized by its hairy twigs
and leafstalks and fuzzy red fruit clusters. Its name
comes from the fact that the branches of this shrub
bear a marked resemblance to a deer “in velvet” and
can be most noticeably observed during the winter
months. The very similar Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
also grows along the trail, and while it has the same
feather-shaped toothed leaves, the stems are smooth
and hairless.
The bark and leaves are rich in tannin, and it is
reported that a black ink can be made by boiling
leaves and fruit. Birds, pheasant, and skunk feed on
the long-haired fruit, while rabbits chew on the twigs.
Sumac can grow in rather poor soil and can fast
obliterate the scars of man. During the fall the leaves
of this shrub (or small tree) turn bright red and purple,
covering parts of the upland with thickets of color.
Stop 15
Mosquito Ditches
Many of the mosquito ditches that you see in
this area have been dug and maintained by for
mosquito control projects. They are functional in
draining off water that might otherwise become
stagnant and provide a breeding place for
mosquitoes. The ditches also serve as a breeding
place for smaller fish such as the mummichogs
and silversides.
During the late summer, a yellow-green growth
made up of diatoms and other marine algae
appears along the ditches – it is an indication of
the presence of excess nutrients.
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Stop 16
Bayberry – Myrica pensylvanica
Like most coastal plants, bayberries have thick
leathery leaves that help reduce evaporation
and possibly make them more resistant to salt
spray as well. The fragrant berries produced
by this species were prized by the colonists, who
melted the wax coating off of the fruits to make
candles. Back in colonial days an “October law”
appeared on the books stating that Bayberry
fruit could not be picked before the first day in
October, an attempt to provide enough berries
for everyone by preventing colonists from
gathering extra amounts of immature fruits.
Today, the berries are more important as a food
source for birds – the wax is considered toxic
to humans. The leaves of Bayberry have been
dried for use as a soup flavoring or as an insect
repellent.
Stop 17
Black Oak – Quercus velutina
If you look closely, you will see the sand and gravel, left
behind by the glaciers that receded from this area long
ago. The little hills that appear here and throughout the
marsh are called hummocks. The Black Oak does well in
poor, dry rocky soil, as is apparent here. In good soil, it
cannot compete as well with other species.
This stately tree has orange or yellowish inner bark that
in the past was used for tanning leather. The hard wood
of this tree has been used to make flooring, furniture,
railroad ties, and as a source of fuel.
To identify a species of oak, it is often necessary to have
the tree’s acorns and cups, and some species are even
difficult for botanists to recognize. In black oaks, the acorn
cup is bowl-shaped, with rough edges that have fringelike scales. Its leaves are somewhat thickened, with pointy,
bristle-tipped lobes and a glossy upper surface, and are
approximately 4 to 10 inches long. Individuals of this
species may grow up to 80 feet tall.
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Stop 18
Sailors’ Cemetery
Overlooking the marsh, high on the hummock, sits Sailors’ Cemetery – final resting
place for the remains of 118 sailors and marines who served in the U.S. Navy
around the time of the Civil War.
Following their tour of duty, the veterans resided at the National Sailors’ Home,
located on a 6.5 acre farm in the area bordering what is now Rice Road and
Fenno Street, in the Beechwood Knoll section of Quincy. Dedication ceremonies of
Sailors’ Home were held on August 1, 1866. The original purpose of this home was
to provide a residence for disabled sailors and marines that had served in the U.S.
Navy during the Civil War. The home was funded through private fund raising as
well as subsidies from the federal government.
Due to declining numbers of occupants and mismanagement of funds, the home was
forced to close its doors around 1930-31. The cemetery is now all that remains
of the National Sailors’ Home. It has been entrusted to the care of the City of
Quincy.
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Stop 19
Bird Watch
Depending on the time of year, you may see a variety of bird life from this spot.
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), is often sighted here. A tall, gray bird with
a white face and a yellow beak, the Great Blue Heron can also be recognized by
the black accents on its shoulders, crown and stomach. Another heron, known as the
Great Egret (Ardea alba),), can also be found in this area.
It can be recognized by its long yellow bill, black
legs and feet, and solid white coat of feathers.
You may spot numerous ducks and geese in the salt marsh –
they are attracted by the plentiful supply of
algae and marsh grass. Out in the open water,
gulls often rest, and cormorants perch on large
rocks and pieces of driftwood.
Directly across the water from this stop is
Merrymount Park, a fantastic spot to see migrating
song birds in the spring.
Stop 20
Smooth Cordgrass – Spartina alterniflora
This grass grows in the wettest area of the marsh, and is on the
“front-line” of the salt marsh as it evolves from the mud flats. Smooth
Cordgrass provides nutrients to the marsh food chain and at high tide
provides a haven for the marsh snails that cling to its tall stalks until
the tide subsides. The food chain begins when the marsh grass dies
and bacteria begin to compose the dead organic matter (detritus).
Plankton then feed upon the detritus and in turn are fed upon by
clams, crabs, shrimp fry and other animals. These animals then provide
food for birds, larger mammals, fish and humans.
As a way of surviving the high salinity of the salt marsh, Smooth
cordgrass discharges excess salt, as evidenced by the visible crystals
that appear on its leaves. Its roots are submerged deep within the
mud and receive little oxygen, therefore the plant must rely upon
its hollow stems to transport the oxygen from the leaves to the roots.
Value is placed on the role this grass plays in buffering storms and
absorbing mercury, lead and other pollutants before they reach the
sea. However, its most important role is the contribution it makes to
the food chain.
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Stop 21
Crabapple – Malus coronaria
This is a little, stiff tree that produced highly
fragrant pink or white flowers in the spring.
Later, this ornamental species bears small, acidic
fruits favored by raccoons and skunks (unless people
get there first to steal the fruit for making
crabapple jelly). The apples are approximately
1 inch in diameter and feel waxy to the touch,
meaning that they have a lot of jelly-making substance
in the skin.
There are many crabapple trees growing through the marsh area. They can
sometimes be found growing in a shrub-like form – those may be younger trees.
Be careful around this part of the trail. Poison Ivy has a tendency to proliferate
here.
Stop 22
Wildlife – Land animals
This forested area surrounded by the salt marsh
provides a variety of food and shelter for the small
wildlife that frequents the area. The grass and low
bushes are excellent cover for the cottontail rabbits,
raccoons, ring-necked pheasants and opossums that
live here. Birds that have nested here include robins,
red-winged blackbirds, and a variety of sparrows and
cardinals.
Queen Anne’s Lace – Daucus carota
Also knows as Bird’s Nest or Wild Carrot, this
lacy flower is in the Parsley family (Apiaceae). Its
flat-topped clusters of tiny, cream-white flowers
have a single, dark purplish-brown floret in the
center. Plants are biennial, so in any one year you
will see some plants with only long, bright green
feathery leaves, while others will have flowers
on stalks as tall as 3 feet. The flowering season
begins in May and continues through October.
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Stop 23
Osprey Nest – Pandion haliaetus
This pole was erected many years ago, along with
several others in the area, as part of a program to try
to attract the Osprey to nest in the area again. Some
platform-topped poles have been successful, and you
can regularly see Osprey fishing at Wollaston Beach
and along the Neponset River during the summer
months.
The Osprey ranges in length from 21 to 24 inches, and
can be recognized by the predominant brown color on
its back, its white underside, and a dark colored line
running along the side of its head.
Stop 24
Value of the Salt Marsh
A salt marsh means different things to different
people, and its continued existence can be
controversial. To some it is a foul-smelling eyesore,
and a dangerous bog infested with mosquitoes.
To others a filled in marsh represents a monetary
profit from real estate development. To still others,
and their numbers are increasing, the salt marsh is
recognized for what it is – a dynamic ecosystem of
great value and importance.
The plant matter of a salt marsh interacting with
water and sunlight starts a food chain – from
simple invertebrates to man - that is vital to life. In
production of food per acre, it greatly surpasses
even the best corn fields of Iowa. Clams, oysters,
shrimp, flounder, and striped bass are only a few
of the more commercial items directly dependent
on the salt marshes. Many young fish live in the
tidal creeks until they mature and many fish come
into the salt marsh to spawn. Salt marshes are also
nature’s rain barrels – vast sponges absorbing
water that if not contained might otherwise cause
great flood damage.
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Stop 25
Poison Ivy – Toxicodendron radicans
Warning! Do Not Touch!
Poison Ivy can grow as a large shrub, a vine
that climbs up trees or one that trails along
the ground. It can be recognized by it leaves,
which are each made up of three leaflets,
which is where the phrase “Leaves of three,
let it be!” comes from. In the spring, Poison Ivy has
shiny, greenish-red leaves, and it is this stage that is
most dangerous to those who are allergic to the plant.
The leaves dull and become green as they mature, and
in fall, they change to brilliant reds and oranges.
Flowers appear from May through June and again in August,
followed by clusters of bright, waxy white berries. Although all parts of the plant
emit a poisonous, skin-irritating oil, birds and other animals do eat the fruits,
making this species valuable winter fare for wildlife. Poison Ivy thrives here in the
salt marsh, so be careful!
Stop 26
Common Reed – Phragmites australis
This member of the grass family (Poaceae) grows
along the borders of brackish marshes and ditches.
Each thick stem is topped by a plume-shaped
inflorescence made up of many fuzzy spikelets.
Attached to the stems are long, blade-shaped leaves
with parallel veins.
There are both native and non-native varieties of
Phragmites that grow in the U.S., but the native strain
is scarce in Massachusetts. The non-native Common
Reed that you see here is invasive: it can grow to a
height of 15 feet and form dense thickets that prevent
intrusion by other wetland plants. While each plant
can produce a large amount of seed, the species
typically spreads by underground stems known as
rhizomes. Flowering occurs from late June through
October, and the dried out flowering stalks can persist
through the following growing season.
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Stop 27
Common Tansy – Tanacetum vulgare
This perennial is recognizable by its clusters of
button-shaped golden flowers with flat heads, each about
1⁄2 inch wide. Tansy leaves are pinnate (feather-like), and
separated into smaller leaflets that run along the side of the main leaf stalk, giving
them a fern-like appearance.
Common Tansy flowers from July through September and can be found along
roadsides and edges of fields. The stems and leaves of this heavily scented plant
contain a toxic yellow sap known to be hazardous to humans and animals.
Chicory – Cichorium intybus
Chicory is a member of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is
easily recognizable by its large blue flowers, each with multiple
square-tipped petals. Each flower, borne against the plant’s thick
stem, lasts for only one day. The leaves of this species have
a dandelion-like appearance. The roots can be roasted and
ground up and have been used as an additive in or substitute
for coffee.
Stop 28
Pokeweed – Phytolacca americana
This large-leaved plant has heavy, smooth reddish
stems, and grows in damp thickets, clearings and
disturbed areas. It produces long clusters of small
white flowers in summer, followed by dark purple
berries highlighted by flower stalks that turn a
brilliant pink. The fruit and fleshy root of Pokeweed
are poisonous to humans, but birds eat the berries of
this native species. The juice of the berries can be
used as a dye and in the past was used to “improve”
cheap wine.
Butter and Eggs – Linaria vulgaris
This European relative of the snapdragon has a distinct yellow
flower with an orange center. Each flower is about one inch
long and has five lobed petals; two petals in the upper “lip”
and three in the lower “lip.” The flowers grow on long clusters
on a stem covered with thin, linear leaves. Butter and Eggs
can flower any time from May to October. It is commonly found
along roadsides and in other disturbed areas.
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Stop 29
Reuben A. and Lizzie Grossman Memorial Park
The handsome winged fieldstone monument you see here, 24 feet in length, was
designed by Anthony T. Delmonico of Quincy, and was constructed under his
direction by the Quincy Park Department. On the monument’s face, etched on a
medallion of pink granite, are profile likenesses of Reuben A. and Lizzie Grossman.
Beneath the medallion is a message honoring the Grossmans:
“This land and its natural resources
Made available to the people of the
City of Quincy
By the children of
Reuben A. and Lizzie Grossman
In memory of their parents
Who will always be remembered for
Their humility, humanity, kindliness
And godliness”
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Glossary
Algae - Simple single-celled or multicellular photosynthesizing organisms, typically
located in water or wet areas. Similar to plants, but usually lacking true roots, stems
or leaves.
Annual - Life cycle of a plant that is completed in one season or one year.
Axil - The angle between a leaf or stem and the supporting stem or branch from
which it arises.
Bacteria - A group of microscopic organisms, most of which survive by breaking
down dead plant or animal matter.
Biennial - Life cycle of a plant that lasts for two growing seasons.
Brackish Marsh - A marsh flooded regularly or irregularly by water with low salt
content.
Cultivated - Plants that are grown by people; plants that survive only due to care
and attention provided by people.
Deciduous - A plant whose leaves fall off at the end of its growing season.
Decompose - To decay or rot as a result of being broken down by
microorganisms.
Diatoms - Any of the many species of microscopic, single-celled algae that inhabit
marine or freshwater habitats and have cell walls made out of silica.
Ebb - The movement of the tide towards the sea.
Ecosystem - A natural living system produced by the interactions between organisms
and their environment.
Estuary - An ecosystem formed where the mouth of a river meets the ocean, causing
the merging of fresh and salt waters.
Herbaceous - Not woody, and typically dying down to the ground at the end of
each growing season.
High Marsh - A marsh flooded irregularly, typically by spring tides or storm
surges.
Hip - A fleshy or leathery hollow fruit with seeds attached to the inside; the name
given to the fruit of Rose species.
Indigenous - Originating in and native to a particular region.
26
Invertebrates - Animals without a backbone.
Leaflet - A single section of a compound leaf.
Lobed - Having indentations on the margins, producing rounded projections.
Typically applied to a petal or leaf.
Lower Marsh - A salt marsh flooded daily by the tides.
Perennial - Life cycle of a plant that continues for more than two growing seasons.
Plankton - Tiny plants, animals and other organisms that drift freely in the waters
of oceans, rivers, lakes and ponds.
Salinity - The concentration of salt in the water.
Salt Marsh - A marsh subject to repeated flooding with salt or brackish tidal
waters.
Scale - A leaf that is small, thin, and flat, often dry and frequently difficult to
distinguish as a true leaf.
Submerged - Under water; typically applied to plants that can survive under the
water either part or full time.
Tidal Creek - A channel in a salt water marsh through which the tidal waters ebb
and flow.
Toothed - An edge with triangular projections resembling teeth, typically applied
to leaf margins and sometimes petals.
Twig - The end subdivision of a branch.
Upland - Used to describe ground that is elevated along a low wetland area.
Whorl - A circle of three or more leaves around a stem. Also used to describe a
circle of petals on a flower.
Zonation - The distribution of different plant and animal communities over a
certain area in response to different environmental conditions.
Zooplankton - The tiny animals that make up a portion of the plankton.
27
Resources
Duke, James A. and Steven Forster, A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants, Houghton
Mifflin, Boston, 1990.
Duncan, Marion B. and Wilber H. Duncan, The Smithsonian Guise to Seaside
Plants of the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington
D.C., 1987.
First Field Guide – Birds, National Audubon Society, Scholastic, New York, 1998.
Levering, Dale, Ph.D., An Illustrated Flora of the Boston Harbor Islands,
Northeastern University Press, Boston, 1978.
McKenny, Margaret and Roger T. Peterson. A Field Guide to Wildflowers (of
Northeastern and North Central North America), Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1968.
Mohlenbrock, Robert H. and John W. Thieret, MacMillan Field Guides – Trees,
MacMillan Publishing Company, New York, 1987.
Niering, William A. and Nancy C. Olmstead, Field Guide to North American
Flowers (Eastern Region) – National Audubon Society, Alfred A. Knopf Inc., New
York, 1995.
Page, Nancy M. and Richard E. Weaver Jr., Arnoldia, Vol. 3, No. 4, Arnold
Arboretum of Harvard University, 1974.
Petrides, George A., A Field Guide to Eastern Trees, Peterson Field Guides,
Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1988.
Scott, Michael, The Young Oxford Book of Ecology, Oxford University Press, New
York, 1995.
Stokes, Donald, and Lillian Stokes, Stokes Beginner’s Guide to Birds, Little, Brown
and Company, Boston, 1996.
Symonds, George W.D., The Shrub Identification Book, William Morrow and
Company, New York, 1963.
Tiner, Robert W., Jr., A Field Guide to Coastal Wetland Plants (of the
Northeastern U.S.), The University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, 1987.
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Acknowledgements
From Jennifer Forman Orth (Editor, Photographer, Website Designer/UMass
Boston):
The Virtual Nature Trail for the Sailors’ Home Salt Marsh Trail
(http://www.virtualnaturetrail.org/sailors) and the updated version of this paper trail
guide could not have been completed without:
- Lori Schneider, who spent many hours walking the trail, taking photographs, and
assisting me in identifying the flora and fauna of the area.
- Sally Owen, who encouraged me to proceed with this project and to share the fruits of
my labor through the Quincy Environmental Treasures program.
- The contributions of other excellent photographers (Gwendolyn White, Derek
Berezdevin, Morola Adjibodou, and Suzanne Shrewsbury) and the identification
expertise of numerous people, including Rick Kesseli, Tom Palmer, Fred SaintOurs and
Anna Santos.
Support provided by the Electronic Field Guide Project, Dr. Robert Morris and Dr. Robert
Stevenson co-PIs, University of Massachusetts Boston, with a grant from the National
Science Foundation.
From Brenda Shore (Project Director/Quincy Educator):
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the many individuals, educators, parents,
and community leaders, who enthusiastically joined me in the updating of the salt marsh
walking trail and guidebook. It is because of their tireless effort that this project is a
reality.
I would also like to thank:
- Kathleen Morris, Beechwood Knoll School principal, for her unending support and
commitment to the preservation of the salt marsh, which will ever benefit the Beechwood
Knoll School and community.
- Maureen McCarron, Beechwood Knoll parent and community leader, who painstakingly
evaluated the marsh habitat, researched data, and organized the physical restoration
of the trail.
- Chuck Phelan, Director of Data Processing for the City of Quincy, who assisted in the
development of a restoration plan and was largely responsible for the printing of this
trail guide.
- Jack Lydon, Operations Manager, and members of the staff of the Data Processing
Department for the City of Quincy, who also assisted in the printing of this guide.
- Dr. Philip McLaren, Eastern Nazarene College, who shared his expertise and provided
scientific and historical information about the salt marsh.
- Janet Baglione, Beechwood Knoll parent, who provided scientific data that was
instrumental in the identification of plant and animal life along the trail.
- Steven Baglione, Beechwood Knoll parent, who photographed the trail and contributed
his collection of nature photographs, which can be observed along the trail on many of
the numbered markers.
- Dave Murphy, Quincy Park Department, who constructed new trail posts and restored
the walking trail.
- Beth Paulding, art student, who so beautifully illustrated the guidebook.
- A Special Thanks to the Quincy Conservation Commission for supporting and
encouraging our efforts to revitalize the trail.
-
Funding for trail restoration and the previous edition of the trail guide provided
through the Quincy Public Schools’ Community Service Learning Grant program and the
generosity of Colonial Federal Savings Bank, Beechwood Knoll School business partner.
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“This land and its natural resources made available
to the people of the City of Quincy
by the children of
Reuben A. and Lizzie Grossman
in memory of their parents
who will always be remembered for their
humility, kindliness, and godliness”
Notes
inches
centimeters
31
Visit the Sailors’ Home Cemetery Salt Marsh Trail
website, featuring more than 1000 digital photos,
at http://www.virtualnaturetrail.com/sailors