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4-5 Scientists

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The emerging scientists of the 4-5 program continue to hear from the professional at the Vital Signs program.  Conversations between scientists and students are ongoing as 4-5 learners enter their findings into the Vital Signs data base.  Here are some of the comments:

Hi Sterna Australis
Nice observations, Nice site!  You are correct, no Phragmites in your photos.

While I suspect someone has already helped you figure it out, the grass you show in your photos is salt marsh cord grass (Spartina alterniflora).  This is one of the most common and important salt marsh plants on the U.S. east coast, found in tidal marshes from Florida up into Canada.

Your observations were dead on.  While this is a pretty large grass, it is seldom anywhere near as large as Phragmites gets.  And the inflorescence is very different.

And what a pretty salt marsh!  Just from your photos I get a really good idea of how the vegetation changes from near the tidal channels up to the forest edge.

 CBEP wetland botanist
Hi Pandion Multiflora,
Nice photo of the fringes!
I like your username. Pandion is the genus for birds of prey and the name of a mythology king, right? It's fun that you paired that with the name of an invasive rose species. Clever.
                                                            
Data Trooper


Hi Pandion Nightshade,
We wanted to let you know that your Evidence photo #3 was elevated to species ID card status.  This is breaking news for Pandion nightshade!

Your third evidence photo just made the Bittersweet nightshade species ID card. Thanks for that great photo of the stem. We've been needing one of those, and you made it happen.
Sniffly


Pandion Nightshade,
I am impressed with your work and am psyched that your photo has been used for the ID card.   I took some time to review your evidence.  I am happy to see that you used specific details about your species.  I also think you did a good job of making it clear that your species was nightshade and not another type of vine.  As you continue to grow as observers you will look at your species and comment on what it would be like in the future or what it was like in the past.  These types of observations will help you make new hypothesis or ask new questions.

Thanks for your hard work,
Tim


 Why do you think they call it staghorn sumac?  What do the fuzzy branches look like?



Hi Pandion Nightshade,
Thanks for the new photos of Bittersweet Nightshade.
 

 

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