What to See This Week

Our native hibiscus, swamp rose mallow, is now blooming on wetland edges around The Arboretum. They have large pink or white flowers and can be seen on main grounds at the edges of ponds but one of the very best places to see them in large numbers is Dutch Fork Wetlands. Look at the map for Dutch Fork Wetlands for the “Hibiscus Corridor”!

Royal catchfly is a beautiful native wildflower that is listed as a threatened species in Ohio. With most wildflowers coming in shades of whites and yellows, a bright red bloom definitely stands out. The name comes from their sticky stems and leaves that work as a defense mechanism. 

Ashy sunflower is a native sunflower that is listed as endangered in Ohio. Many sunflowers have similar inflorescences, but the ashy sunflower has unique foliage. Look for the muted grayish-green fuzzy leaves with bases that clasp the stem.

As we near August, some familiar August flowers are just beginning to bloom! One of these plants is ironweed, a plant known for its vibrant purple flowers that contrast beautifully against many of the yellow flowers that bloom this time of year. They also grow up to 8 feet tall, often towering over many of the surrounding plants in meadows and prairies.

Common teasel is recognizable throughout the year due to its distinctive, spiny flower head. While they have pretty purple blooms, these plants are destructive invasive plants that easily spread and take space from important native plants. Interestingly enough, one idea of why they were introduced is for textile processing.

Dogbane leaf beetles are some of the most incredibly colored beetles native to our area! Their metallic rainbow exoskeleton rivals the beauty of any butterfly. They are most often found on dogbane, the plant they feed on most often.