Attending: Caroline and Robert Gray with Philo and Charles, John Hyde, Sharon Horton and Marty Dodge as our guide. And what a guide!
Marty
Dodge started right in with the willows by the parking lot and told us many
interesting and useful plant facts.
Willow bark contains aspirin but is quite acidic.
Buttercups are poisonous.
Plantains are edible with the narrow leaf plantain being
better eating.
Some say milkweed is toxic, but the young pods are tasty
when fried.
Dog Bane bark makes good twine.
We
compared several different
grasses; most of which were in bloom --achoo!
We
identified poison ivy and tried to impress its recognition on the boys.
Professor
Dodge talked about invasive plant species such as the rose bushes and tartarian honeysuckle. He
also talked about the various invasive beetles that are threatening the Northeast. Perhaps best of
all, Professor Dodge taught Charlie how to make noises by blowing on a blade of
grass!
For more information about the Muller Field Station... http://www.flcc.edu/muller/index.cfm
For more information about the Muller Field Station... http://www.flcc.edu/muller/index.cfm