During the walk at RE Lee Park, the ranger mentioned that not much was blooming in the park at this time of year. So the plants go on a vacation of sorts. There are two with prominent flowers, both with reputations a little on the noxious side.
Bindweed is in the morning glory family, comes in a couple of flavors, this trying to overgrow the shrubs is probably field bindweed. Although pretty, it is aggressive and difficult to eradicate. It can re-grow from roots going down 30 feet (or maybe they meant 30 feet long, roots need oxygen too). The two pictures show the change in buds from early morning to noon. Here is another example of the motility of plants, opening and closing their flowers in response to heat, humidity or light. With latin name convulvulus arvensis, it is a non-native invasive. Bindweed does not get much attention from foragers, is mildly toxic to animals. Note the arrow-shaped leaves, about two inches long.
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| The early morning appearance of bindweed flower,septals separate varieties. |
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| Appearance of bindweed flower in midday. Did not track over 48 hours, may last only one day. |
Canadian thistle is also known as lettuce from Hell, or cursed thistle. It appears in colonies since spreads along the thick net of roots. Leaves are spiny, and clasp the stem. Illustrated are the feathery seeds or pappas,up to 1500 per plant, designed to spread on the wind. Foraging notes mention the roots as being edible but "gassy." These were along Bellona Avenue.
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| Feathery seeds of the canadian thistle, seen commonly along roadsides at the end of July |
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