Chicory: Weed or Roadside Beauty?
Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. By definition, a weed is a plant that is not valued where it is growing. Chicory is commonly called a weed by many people, while others… Chicory: Weed or Roadside Beauty?
Jewelweed: A Not So Hidden Gem
You have probably seen this native flower in bloom recently throughout our Great Parks, and may know it by many names. Commonly called spotted jewelweed, orange jewelweed, orange balsam or spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis), there… Jewelweed: A Not So Hidden Gem
Hard Times for Toads
Amphibians have been having a pretty hard go of it lately. Numerous studies have shown that worldwide amphibian populations are on the decline. Worse yet, in May the US Geological Survey released a study that… Hard Times for Toads
When it Rains
I have come to know Cincinnati for all its great things: Great Parks of Hamilton County, the Zoo, Museum of Art and an alive and bubbling downtown. I have also come to know the not-so-great… When it Rains
Adder’s Tongue
There is more than meets the eye to the adder’s tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum). At first glance you might not guess that it’s even a fern. Lacking the typical delicate-looking leaves of other ferns we’re… Adder’s Tongue
Butterfly Weed
We’ve written briefly about butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) before, but this is a plant that really gets a second look. As an ornamental, it’s exceptionally gorgeous with brilliant orange blooms that last for much of… Butterfly Weed
Cave Salamander
When most of us picture an endangered species, we tend to think of animals like cheetahs, bald eagles and rhinos. These are all large, poster-worthy animals that live in far-off exotic places and easily capture… Cave Salamander
The Lion in the Forest
Here we have the lion’s mane fungus (Hericium erinaceus). Often found growing on hardwood logs, such as downed beech or oak trees, it is one of the easier wild mushrooms to identify. This one was… The Lion in the Forest