Botanizing on Long Island

Long Island Botanical Society Trip to West Meadow Beach

Laura Schwanof and John Turner lead this trip on Saturday, June 16. Our purpose was to view the first New York state occurrence of perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium).

Is this a good thing? Yes and no!
"No" because perennial pepperweed is a nasty invasive plant, which we really don't need here.
"Yes" because by discovering it early, we can now take steps to control it! Eagle Scouts to the rescue!

Laura provided us with her West Meadow Beach plant list, prepared for the Brookhaven Town Master Plan.

West Meadow Beach Plant List

NATIVE PLANTS:
Virginia creeper   
Poison ivy   
Beach plum   
Blue toadflax   
Golden heather   
Shining sumac   
Milkweed    
Evening primrose   
Star-flowered solomon's seal   
Blackberry   
Prickly pear   
Sweetfern   
Yucca   

INTRODUCED PLANTS
Japanese honeysuckle   
Oriental bittersweet   
Common hawkweed   
English plantain   
Seaside rose    
Common mullein    
Dusty miller   
Mugwort   
Sheep sorrel   
Scotch broom

West Meadow Beach Botany

Much of this land was occupied by summer homes until recently. Brookhaven Town has published a master plan to develop as a parkland while preserving and protecting native species.