Botanizing on Long Island

Ghetto Palms of Detroit

Tree of Heaven grows here. In fact, I think the largest specimen in the U.S. may be found in St. James.

But these folks in Detroit, have turned this invasive species into an art project!

Kudzunol?

Kudzu, the "Plant That Ate the South," has only recently appeared on Long Island. We don't know how much of problem it will become here. Perhaps our cold winters will keep it from setting seed.

But just in case, we should make a note of this man's invention: Kudzonol. It's a biofuel, ethanol, made from Kudzu.

I wonder if we could do the same with Oriental Bittersweet.

Devil's Walking Stick

This blog post got my attention.

The native Devil's Walking Stick is often confused with the nasty, invasive Chinese Angelica Tree.

This discussion from iVillage Garden Web is helpful.

We've recently learned that Devil's Walking Stick does not occur Long Island.

Knot Again!

Mile-A-Minute Weed

Found in my garden last week.

This is a nasty invasive weed which only arrived on Long Island 9 years ago and is now found in at least 20 sites. In Maryland woodlands, it looks like this. Read a New York Times article here.

Indian strawberry

Indian strawberry (Duchesnia indica) is native to Asia.
It's a weed! Not a strawberry.
Yes, it's edible, but no, it doesn't taste like much.
You'll find it in your lawn and along roadsides, etc.