There are eleven stations along the trail. Enjoy the tour...
1. Poison Ivy, Virginia Creeper and Oriental Bittersweet
2. Winged Euonymus
3. Skunk Cabbage and Spicebush
4. Multiflora Rose and Japanese Knotweed
5. False Solomon Seal
6. Goldenrods
7. Hog Peanut
8. Jewelweed and False Nettle
9. Jumpseed, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and Bloodroot
10. The creek
11. Garlic Mustard

Station 1: In this tree there are two distinctive vines. The large hairy vine is Rhus radicans, better know as the poison ivy vine. Poison Ivy has large leaves with three leaflets. The central leaflet has a long stalk and the lateral ones are almost stalkless. Even the slightest touch of the plant can cause a serious skin rash. ivy ivy young poison ivy ivy ivy ivy ivy ivy ivy ivy ivymature poison ivy

Poison Ivy Vine and Oriental Bittersweet

Poison ivy is sometimes confused with the non-poisonous Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) which has five leaflets instead of three. The other thick vine in the tree is Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). It was introduced from Asia as a garden plant and the stems can be dried and used as decoration in wreaths and garlands. Today oriental bittersweet is an aggressive pest.   Interesting medical uses: Although poison ivy causes extreme skin irritation, in controlled proportions, it is used to treat rheumatism, ringworm and other skin disorders.

Virginia Creeper

Station 2: This deciduous shrub has unique corky wings that run along the sides of its bark, giving it the name Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus). In the fall the leaves turn a brilliant purple-red color giving it the common name, "burning bush". The winged euonymus is an exotic species that was accidentally brought to America from Southeastern Asia. Although its introduction was accidental, the spectacular fall color makes this a popular landscape ornamental.

Winged Euonymus

Station 3: Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is usually the first flower of the year to grow. As the flower pokes up through the soil in late winter or very early spring, it generates so much heat that it often thaws the surrounding snow and frozen soil. The skunk cabbage gets its name from the unpleasant skunk-like odor released when the leaves are crushed. The Native Americans used the root for treatment of cramps, whooping coughs, toothaches, and even for underarm deodorant. Young Skunk Cabbage in March

Mature Skunk Cabbage in May

Spice Bush

This is Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). When one of its leaves are crushed, it releases a spicy fresh aroma. The leaves are egg shaped and placed alternately along the stem, rather than in oppposing pairs. Spicebush flowers are small and yellow with no petals and they bloom very early in the spring before the leaves appear. The fruits are round and bright red. The Spicebush can grow up to fifteen feet high.   Fun Survival tip: If you run out of water in the wood, chew on the stem of a spicebush and it will quench your thirst and leave a clean, fresh and spicy taste in your mouth.

Multiflora Rose

Station 4: The Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) is a member of the rose family. It is a dense shrub with thick curved thorns and small white flowers. Multiflora rose was introduced from Japan in the late 1800's and was promoted as a "living fence. When planted on farm fields it made an impenetrable self-renewing barrier. The U.S. Conservation Service planted it to prevent soil erosion. Unfortunately, its impenetrable thickets also smother other plant species, thus decreasing the woodlands biological diversity.

The Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) is also native to Asia and was brought over to North America as an ornamental in the late 1800's. It is a semi-woody perennial with hollow, bamboo-like stems. It grows every spring to a height of 2 or 3 meters and is knocked down every winter by the first snow. It sprouts again the following spring from a network of underground stems, or rhizomes, which eventually form an expansive mat that chokes less aggressive neighbors.   Nomenclature: The Japanese Knotweed belongs to the species of Polygonum meaning "many knees". This refers to the large joints on the stem of the plant. The genus name cuspidatum means "abruptly pointed" referring to the pointed tip on the leaves.     Tasty snack: In early spring the Japanese Knotweed can provide a tasty snack. When the shoots are cooked with sugar, they taste like rhubarb. This can only be done in early spring before the plant reaches eight inches high, otherwise the stem is too stringy to eat.

japanese knotweed along the trail   young japanese knotweed in May

False Solomon Seal

Station 5: The False Solomon Seal (Smilacina racemosa) is a native perennial easily identified by its zigzagging stem and long oval alternate leaves. It t grows about 1-2ft. False solomon seal got its name because of its flower's slight resemblance to Solomon's Seal.   Uses: The Native Americans had a variety of uses for False Solomons Seal. The leaf tea was used as a contraceptive and as a method to sooth coughs. Root smoke was inhaled to cure headaches and to treat people for insanity. Fresh leaves were crushed and applied to cuts to stop bleeding.

 

The Goldenrod in July before it blooms

Station 6: Goldenrods (Solidago species) Fifty different species of Goldenrod are found in the New England area. All goldenrods have alternate leaves that are either smooth or toothed. Most have small flowers that grow in spikes. However, unlike other plants with spikes of flowers, goldenrods often bloom at the top of the spike first and continue to bloom downward. In other plants, the bottom-most flower on the spike opens first and the blooming continues upward. Because the goldenrods bloom late in the season, it is to their advantage to open their highest flower first to attract insects for pollination. By the fall, when there aren't as many flowers in bloom to compete with, the lower flowers will bloom.   The big misconception: Many people falsely blame goldenrod for the cause of hayfever. It is actually the pollen of ragweed that brings upon this allergy.

Station 7: The Hog Peanut (Amphicarpea bracleata) is a vine. The leaves have three egg-shaped, short pointed leaflets. It has small pale purple or white flowers with no. The flowers are found near the base of the plant.   Uses: Hog Peanut was an important food source for the Native Americans. In the autumn, the women of the tribe would rob the nests of the white-footed mice to secure piles of this peanut. However, they always replaced the stolen food with equal amounts of corn to ensure the livelihood of the mice.

Hog Peanut

 

Station 8: Jewelweed and False Neetle The Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) also known as the Touch-me-not, has one inch long orange flowers that dangle from long stalks. The leaves are egg-shaped and coarsely toothed. The seeds are touch triggered; if the mature seed pod is tickled, the seeds will shoot out, giving it the name, touch-me-not. Uses: It is a well-known folk remedy to rub the crushed leaves of the jewelweed on poison ivy rash. Some people even drink jewelweed tea as a preventive method for poison ivy.

The Jewelweed Flower in August

The False Neetle

The False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) is often confused with its poisonous cousin the stinging nettle. False nettles have spikes of greenish flowers that often have a leafy tip. The leaves are egg-shaped and coarsely toothed. Unlike the stinging nettle, the false nettle does not have stinging hairs on its stem.

Station 9: Jumpseed, Bloodroot, Jack-in-the-Pulpit The Jumpseed also known as the Virginia Knotweed (Tovara virginiana), has long sprays of tiny greenish white flowers on tall skinny spikes that some people believe look like exploding fireworks. The plant has alternate, egg-shaped leaves. The seeds, like the jewelweed, are trigger loaded and shoot out when jostled. The jumpseed blooms in late summer.     Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has round-lobed leaves and large white flowers. The root is a deep red or blood color. The Native Americans used the root as a dye and as a decorative skin stain. In the midwestern Native American Ponca tribe, men believed the bloodroot to be a love potion. A man would rub part of the root on the palm of his hand and then shake the hand of the woman he wanted to marry. She would then be willing to marry him within 5-6 days.

Jumpseed in August

Bloodroot leaves in August Deuquan with the "Blood" root, notice the blood color.

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema atrorubens) is another native perennial. It grows about 1-2ft high and usually produces one or two leaves, each divided into three leaflets. It has a striped green and purple cup-like flower with a prominent central spike or spadix, which is covered by the curbing flap of the spathe. The Jack-in-the-pulpit flower in early May The "Jill" or the fruit of the Jack-in-the-Pulput in late July

Station 10: The Creek Under the rocks of this stream, are many kinds of life. Attached to the rocks, small clumps of sand and organic material are found. These clumps are actually the homes of the Caddis Fly larva. Eventually the larva will turn into a fly and emerge into the trees where it will mate and eventually return to the water to lay its eggs under a rock where the next larva will build its home. Also found under are tiny snails or gastropods, crustaceans called isopods and leeches.

The Creek in the Fall

This erosion developed because of the curve in the stream. Water moves faster on the outside of the curve eroding the side bank and forming steep bank walls. On the inside of the curve water moves more slowly. Sand settles out of the water and is deposited on the sand bar, creating a shallow, low sloping bank. It is by this process that large rivers, like the mighty Connecticut, continuously meander and erode the Connecticut River Valley.

 

Station 11: This plant is also an exotic species from Europe. Garlic Mustard (Alliaria officinalis) is a tall biennial with heart-shaped or somewhat triangular leaves that release a strong garlic odor. The Latin name allium, means onion, due to its intense smell. The fruits are long, thin pods which actively disperse seeds causing it to be an extremely invasive species. In early spring the leaves of the garlic mustard can be picked and added as a spice to many dishes.   Nicknames: In England, the garlic mustard was often used by the poor communities as a garlic spice giving it the nickname "poor man's mustard".

The Garlic Mustard Flower in July

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