Clear weed is a relatively common plant for the warmer months, only a few inches high. It is in the nettle family but without any stinging elements. The name is from the translucent stems, sometimes used in biology classes to show the movement of colored nutrients. The specimen shown is at the top of Cloverlea near the mailbox. It is easily pulled if not desired and a close-up is seen in the second photo. The stem is squarish. One reference says edible but not very palatable.
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| Clear Weed, small nettle like but non-stinging,serrated leaves |
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| almost square translucent stem of Clear Weed |
Generally the mulberry on Cloverlea would be staining the road purple, but as here the mulberry crop in the area has been thin. V says they are beyond their normal time for ripening. So the blank space is this year's mulberry harvest. Maybe next year.
We like to feature plants to set your calendar by. The Mimosa trees in the area may qualify. There does not seem to be a tree right on Rolandvue, but on Bellona, as well as Mays Chapel. To be more precise the trees have been blooming for about ten days, so blooms really mark the first of July. Get closer and there is a sweet smell, but for some an allegic sensitivity.
The leaves are thigmonastic, respond to touch, heat, or cold. Might be an interesting school project. This may be one of the trees closing its leaves at night, though possibly a reaction to temperature.
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| close-up after shaking the leaves,did seem to respond |
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| profusion of sweet smelling blossoms |
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over view of the mimosa on Mays Chapel
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