Flora Posts

Mystery Tree Identified! by , Ranger

May 12th, 2011

Earlier this spring I noticed a small tree or shrub at the bottom of the boardwalk just as you make the turn towards the Black Bear Exhibit, where the boardwalk levels out. I didn’t know what the tree was and I don’t remember seeing it last summer. It was either a very fast growing tree [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Spring Happenings by , Ranger

April 8th, 2011

There’s been much excitement over the past few days about the Red Wolves and the expected new residents here at the Museum. In the next few days many of you will hike out to the Red Wolf Exhibit to check on our female (1287) to see how she’s doing. I don’t blame you, I’ve been spending [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Early Blooming Willow and Violet by , Ranger

March 12th, 2011

There are willows currently in bloom on the north side of the Wetlands. Not the Black Willows which will be in flower next month and which dominate the Wetlands, but much smaller trees of a different species. There are only five of these slender trees on the property. Each year as these trees come into [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Where’s Spring? by , Ranger

March 4th, 2011

There’s still a few weeks to go before it’s officially spring, but as far as I’m concerned, it has arrived. So, here’s some springtime happenings out in Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind. Alders are one of the earliest of woody plants to bloom and the plants here at the Museum have had flowers [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Which Pine is it, anyway? by , Ranger

December 21st, 2010

Nearly everyone you talk to in North Carolina knows, or has heard of, Loblolly Pine, if for no other reason than that it’s a rather interesting and fun to say name (we’ll get to the name later). When you walk around the trails of the outdoor exhibits here at the Museum you can’t help but [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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More Galls by , Ranger

December 9th, 2010

In early November I wrote about gall wasps on the Museum’s oak trees. And, as promised, here’s another gall-filled adventure. Winter’s less than two weeks away and it’s a good time to talk about galls. Insect activity has slowed down, many plants have shut down for the winter, and although there is always something going [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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Some Color by , Ranger

November 20th, 2010

Some leaves. Through the trees. Some reflections. Changes occur quickly at this time of year so head out to Explore the Wild and watch it happen! Read the rest of this entry »

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A Warm Day with the Lotus by , Ranger

November 10th, 2010

Uli and Robin (Butterfly House) took advantage of the warm, 70 degree temperatures on Tuesday (11/9) to do a little plant control in the Wetlands. Lotus is a spectacular water plant which has become established in the Wetlands. Its leaves and flowers may stand six feet above the water’s surface. Lotus, whether the Asian Lotus [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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What’s wrong with the acorns? by , Ranger

November 6th, 2010

For the past month or so I’ve been seeing what appear to be red acorns, many of them, on the trail between the Dinosaur Trail and Catch the Wind. Most are crushed from being stepped on or run over by Museum visitors or vehicles, but many are whole and unmolested, especially the ones that rest [...] Read the rest of this entry »

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