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Plant Profile: Naematoloma fasciculare
This mushroom typically grows in forests or natural environments, often appearing in dense clusters of 20 to 30 fruiting bodies. It can be found on logs and stumps from various tree species or directly on the soil, likely due to buried wood.
While it is not advisable to consume this mushroom, its distinctively bitter flavor, along with its growth habits and preferred habitats, makes it relatively easy to recognize. There are several similar species that do not have the bitter taste and are safe to eat, so caution is essential when distinguishing between them.
Identification Guide:
CAP: The cap is yellow, orange-yellow, or greenish-yellow, smooth in texture, and can reach up to 3 inches in diameter.
GILLS: The gills are attached to the stem, initially greenish-yellow and turning purplish-yellow as the spores mature.
STALK: The stalk is slender, measuring up to 1/3 inch in thickness, and changes from yellow to a brownish-yellow hue.
ANNULUS: The annulus is thin and fibrous, leaving only a fibrous ring on the stalk.
SPORE PRINT: The spore print is purple-brown.
TASTE: The flavor is extremely bitter.
Sulfur Tuft
nay-MAH-toh-LOH-muh fas-sik-yoo-LAIR-ee
Nandina domestica
Nandina is a popular ornamental evergreen shrub that stands upright and is celebrated for its striking bright red berries. This plant tends to produce suckers and readily reseeds itself, sometimes leading to naturalization in the wild. With a cane-like structure, it can reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. In disturbed areas, it can become weedy, often persisting after being planted and even escaping into the surrounding environment. On rare occasions, it has formed dense colonies in forested areas. Nandina blooms in late spring and produces ornamental fruits, showcasing reddish new growth and fall foliage that can vary significantly among different cultivars, both seasonally and annually. This plant offers visual appeal throughout the year.
Nandina thrives in conditions ranging from full sun to shade and can adapt to various soil types, although it prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It is resilient to extreme soil conditions and exposure, and it is generally free from pests and diseases. The plant features unbranched, upright canes, but may become leggy if not pruned. It is drought-tolerant, shade-tolerant, slightly salt-tolerant, and notably resistant to deer damage. Ideal uses for Nandina include informal hedges, shrub borders, or woodland gardens. For maximum visual impact, it is best planted in groups or mass plantings.
**Quick Identification Tips:**
**Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Concerns:** Due to its tendency to spread easily and potentially become invasive, it is advisable to consider native plants for your landscape. Additionally, both the leaves and berries of Nandina are toxic to livestock and other domestic animals, as the berries contain cyanide, which can be harmful to birds if ingested in large quantities.
Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina, Sacred Bamboo
nan-DEE-nah doh-MES-tih-kah
Crocus sativus (Autumn Crocus, Saffron, Saffron Crocus)
Saffron is derived from a type of crocus cultivated for its valuable stigmas. This costly and labor-intensive spice is primarily utilized for flavoring dishes, although it also serves as a dye for
Autumn Crocus, Saffron, Saffron Crocus
Crocus \ sativus \ Iridaceae
Crocus tommasinianus (Woodland crocus)
The Snow Crocus is a bulbous plant that blooms from late winter to early spring and is indigenous to southeastern Europe. It is among the first flowers to emerge, often breaking through the snow, w
Woodland crocus
Crocus \ tommasinianus \ Iridaceae
Crossandra infundibuliformis (Firecracker Flower)
In temperate climates, this plant is often grown indoors as a houseplant. The nickname "firecracker flower" comes from its seed pods, which appear after the flowers have withered and are known to "
Firecracker Flower
Crossandra \ infundibuliformis \ Acanthaceae
Crotalaria (Crotolaria, Rattlebox, Rattleweed)
Herbs that can be either annual or perennial feature leaves that are arranged alternately and can be simple or divided. They produce yellow flowers that grow in elongated clusters at the ends of st
Crotolaria, Rattlebox, Rattleweed
Crotalaria \ \ Fabaceae
Crotalaria spectabilis (Rattlebox, Showy Crotalaria)
Crotalaria spectabilis, often referred to as Showy Crotalaria, belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae. This annual herbaceous plant typically flowers between August and November. Although it is not
Rattlebox, Showy Crotalaria
Crotalaria \ spectabilis \ Fabaceae
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