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September 22, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

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Adkins Mystery Monday: What Caterpillar is this on the Golden Alexanders

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Happy Mystery Monday! Do you know what caterpillar we found on the golden alexanders (Zizia aurea)?
Last week, we highlighted common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale). This fall blooming aster does well in full sun and medium to wet soils. Have you ever wondered how it got its name? Apparently, people used to dry the flowers and leaves and then used them for snuff to promote sneezing. The leaves, flowers, and seeds, however, are known to contain toxins, so we recommend just enjoying this plant for its beauty and ecological value.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: A Bright and Cheery Plant

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Happy Mystery Monday! What bright and cheery plant is blooming and attracting bumblebees? This plant is perhaps less popular because of its common name, but it is a beautiful addition to the landscape.

Last week, we asked you about tick trefoil (Desmodium sp.)! There are several species of Desmodium that occur here in Caroline County.  This plant uses a seed dispersal strategy known as epizoochory — that is transportation and dispersal of seed by attaching to the outside of a passing animal. Its velcro-like seed pods stick easily to anyone who passes by.

Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: It Produces Seed Pods that Stick Like Velcro

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Happy Mystery Monday! This plant is blooming and producing seed pods that stick like velcro. It is near the goat pen, though we’ve also found it in the South Meadow. What is it?

Last week, we asked you about the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)! Garter snakes are extremely variable in appearance but usually have 3 yellowish stripes against a dark body and a light colored belly. There are four subspecies in the eastern U.S, but only one in the mid-Atlantic: the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis). They are active during the day, but may forage at night in the summer. They prefer open, grassy areas, but are also found in the wood and near streams and swamps.

Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: A Shrub with Devilish Features?

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Happy Mystery Monday! This week’s mystery may look similar to last week, but we promise it is a different native shrub with it’s own devilish features!
Last week, we highlighted shining or winged sumac, Rhus copallinum! This native shrub has unique wings on the leaf midribs and brilliant red fall foliage. This shrub is great for natural areas where it can spread. Fun fact: shining sumac is in the same plant family as cashews and poison ivy, all of which can cause a variety of irritations depending on the part of the plant and the individual.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What Native Shrub is Blooming Now?

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Happy Mystery Monday! Do you know what native shrub is blooming right now?  It has brilliant fall foliage and is popular among pollinators.

Last week, we highlighted the fruits of the Sassafras! Sassafras albidum is a very aromatic understory tree with three distinct leaf shapes. Birds will eat the fruits and the sassafras also serves as a host plant for the tiger swallowtail and spicebush swallowtail.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: We are Seeing a lot of these Fruit Lately…

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Happy Mystery Monday! We are seeing a lot of these fruits this week. What tree do they belong to?
Last week, we highlighted the luna moth! The picture was a closeup of the antennae, which can help you determine whether it is male or female. Males tend to have feathery antennae and females have more slender and fuzzy antennae. Luna moths are very distinct with their minty green wings, which can be anywhere from 4 to 7 inches wide! They rely on many native plants as their host plant, including walnuts, persimmons, sweet gums, and hickories.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What is this Ethereal Critter?

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Happy Mystery Monday! We got a close-up of an ethereal critter this morning, do you know what it is?

Last week, we highlighted the maturing fruits of the mountain laurel, Kalmia latifiolia! Mountain laurels grow along our Tuckahoe Creekside and South Tuckahoe Valley trails. They are ericaceous, making them related to blueberries, rhododendrons, huckleberries, and many other species. Their fruits will persist into winter, as do their glossy evergreen leaves.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What Plant Makes this Mature Fruit?

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Happy Mystery Monday! Can you identify this plant from its maturing fruits? Hint: it is an evergreen shrub that grows in the woods.
Last week, we highlighted the black cherry, Prunus serotina! Black cherry trees can grow to 80 feet tall and grow in full to part sun. These juicy fruits provide an important food source for birds in the summer.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What Tree Produces this Fruit?

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Happy Mystery Monday! What native tree is producing these fruits?

Last week, we highlighted a spring peeper in summer! Spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) have a distinct “x” on their backs and are a light tan color. In the spring, you hear their high pitched calls more often than you see them. Did you know that their vocal sac is almost the same size as their body? No wonder they can make such a loud sound!

Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What is Found in this Tall Grass?

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Happy Mystery Monday! What did we find in the tall grass?
Last week, we highlighted trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)! Trumpet creeper is a vigorous native vine that has tubular orange and scarlet blooms in July. It attracts hummingbirds and produces bean-like seed pods in the fall. This vine requires some maintenance in order to keep it in check, but it can be a good solution for stabilizing eroding areas.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. Please give them here.