Tuesday, September 27, 2011

We're Overdue

Last night, I posted the following plant quiz...

It's hard to believe we've let nearly three months go by without a plant quiz!  Try your luck at this one...


It didn't take long to get an answer.  At work today, Abby asked me if this was Polymnia canadensis, and Keith also guessed Polymnia canadensis.  Both are correct.

A  more typical leaf

Polymnia canadensis is known from damp, shaded areas with calcareous soils throughout the eastern half of North America.

Flower heads

Nice job, Abby and Keith!

6 comments:

  1. Ah, yes, a green leaf; that narrows it down a lot. Just like the time the poison control center called me and said we have a kid who's eaten what may be a poisonous plant; it has green leaves and red berries, which narrows it down to about 300 species in this area.

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  2. Am I allowed to guess if I think I've seen it with you in the last week?

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  3. I'm going to take a wild guess at Polymnia, possibly P. canadensis.

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  4. Great quiz, Scott! I might add that this plant has a very interesting aroma (or odor, depending on your disposition), and it has a special affinity for damp, shady talus slopes.

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  5. Also! It was historically used to mask scents when hunting!

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