Since 2020 I have discovered over 70 plant species in my backyard, located in upstate New York’s Ecoregion 83b, known as the Champlain Lowlands.
Research-grade identification of each plant is still underway and will be a multi-year process.
Once identified, each species is further explored through history, art, storytelling and culinary experiments.
CLICK the BUTTONS below each IMAGE for a journey into each plant:
White Mulberry (Morus alba)
Common Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
Native to Europe and the Middle East
Arrival on the property: Human introduction by cultivated bulbs (circa 1980)
Crocus
Genus Crocus
Native to Europe, North Africa, Middle East. Variety unknown.
Arrival on the property: Human introduction by cultivated corms (circa 1980)
Blue Pearl Crocus
Crocus chrysanthus
Native to Europe, North Africa, Middle East. Hybridized in Holland in 1950. Also known as botanical or snow crocus.
Arrival on the property: Human introduction by cultivated corms (circa 1980)
Wild Mustard
Sinapis arvensis
Native to Eurasia
Arrival on the property: Birds (circa 1970)
Common Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Native to Europe and Asia
Arrival on the property: Unknown (prior to 1962)
Annual Fleabane
Erigeron annuus
Native to eastern United States.
Arrival on the property: Local native!
Purple Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata var. purpurea
TAXONOMY (“Purpurea” is a cultivar of Lysimachia ciliata)
Red Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Cultivar from an Eurasian (and possibly mixed with an American) variety.
Arrival on the property: Human introduction from a cultivated nursery plant (2020)
Lady’s Thumb
Persicaria maculosa
Native to Europe and Asia
Arrival on the property: Unknown (prior to 1962)
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Native to Europe and Western Asia.
Arrival on the property: Unknown (prior to 1962)
Chamomile
Chicory
Daffodil
Echinacea
Wild Strawberry
River Grapes
Goldenrod
Goutweed
Ground Ivy
Glechoma hederacea
Herb Robert
Ironweed
Native to New York
Jerusalem Artichoke
Joe Pye Weed
Lilac
Milkweed
Pennycress
Bull Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Star of Bethlehem
Stitchwort
Violets
Swamp Aster
White Wood Aster
Serena Kovalosky 