What’s In Bloom?AT A D K I N S A R B O R E T U M I N S E P T E M B E R

Andropogon gerardii (an-dro-PO-gon jer-AR-dee-eye) big bluestem—This clumpforming grass gets its name from abluish color at the base of the stem.Growing 4-6 feet tall, it’s taller thanother grasses in the South Meadow.Flowers arranged in 3 dense clustersexplain the common name, “turkey footgrass”.

Euphorbia corollata (yew-FOR-bee-ahkor-oh-LA-ta) flowering spurge—Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, cloudlikepanicles of small white flowers withgreen and yellow centers bloom on stiffstems from late summer to fall. Leavesare dark green. Resembles Baby’sBreath, and self sows easily. These erectplants favor the South Meadow.

Eragrostis spectabilis (ehr-ah-GROS-tisspek-TAB-il-iss ) purple love grass—Found in the Arboretum’s meadowsand roadsides, it shows fluffy clouds ofbronze red flowers in August andSeptember. Short clumps of light greenfoliage in summer turn bronze red infall. Very showy. Tolerates sandy soiland drought.

Gnaphalium obtusifolium (nah-FAHL-ee-um ob-too-sih-FOHL-ee-um) pearlyeverlasting—This 1 to 3 foot plant hasbranching clusters of white flowers thatbloom into the fall on white, woolystems. Gray-green leaves are fragrantwhen crushed. Used medicinally byNative Americans, it is also used inaromatic flower arrangements. Prefersdry sunny areas like the North Meadow.

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Chrysopsis mariana (kry-SOP-sis mar-ee-AHN-ah) Maryland golden aster—Notice loose clusters of single, golden-yellow flowers blooming late summerinto fall in old fields, woodland edges,and along roadsides. Grows 1 – 2 feetand readily self-sows. Found along theArboretum’s upland path and in themeadows.

Sorghastrum nutans (sor-GAS-trumNEW-tanz) Indian grass—Look for thesilky and soft, golden brown seedplumes of this plant in the autumnlandscape. It may reach a height of 3 to5 feet, the second most important tallgrass next to Big Bluestem. It growsrapidly in well-drained soil. Found inthe south meadow.

Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, P.O. Box 100, Ridgely, MD 21660, 410-634-2847, www.adkinsarboretum.org

What’s In Bloom?at Adkins Arboretum in September

Solidago altissima (sol-ih-DAY-go all-TIS-im-ah ) tall goldenrod—Plants grow 3 to4 feet tall and form colonies in meadows,fields, and along roadsides. Flowersgather into small heads and spread side-ways to form a brilliant yellow “feather”on top of the stem. Insects may cause agall, or a swelling, to form along thestem from which they feed. This is oneof the most common goldenrods.

Chamaecrista fasciculata ( kam-ah-KRIST-ah fah-sik-yew-LA-ta) partridgepea—This pea plant relative’s brightyellow flowers grow from the leaf axilsyielding long, narrow seeded podswhich ripen by late October, burst openand scatter. Fern-like leaves grow onbranched, reddish stems. Seeds arevaluable winter food for bobwhite quail.Found in the meadows and near theChildren’s Council ring.

Asclepias syriaca (ah-SKLEE-pee-us seer-ee-AH-kah) common milkweed— Easilyidentifiable in summer by fragrant pinkpompoms of blossoms which are anectar source for many butterflies.Leaves are also food for monarchbutterfly larvae. In fall, seeds bearingwhite hairs emerge from warty podsand float everywhere. Commonlyfound in the Arboretum’s meadows.

Rudbeckia hirta (rud-BEK-ee-ah HER-ta)black-eyed Susan—This familiar plant isa member of the huge aster family, andis known by its typical daisy like flowerhead on an erect, bristly stem. It maygrow as tall as 3 feet, and flowersproduce from summer until midautumn in fields, meadows, alonggarden borders and roadsides. It is thestate flower of Maryland.

Phytolacca americana (fy-toh-LAK-ah a-mer-ih-KAN-ah) pokeweed—Long,drooping clusters of fruits ripen in latesummer. Berries contain a vivid crimsonjuice. The plant may grow to be as tallas 9 feet, and the dark, purplish fruitclusters make it easily identifiable.Found along woods and meadow edgeswhere sun aids the fruit ripening.

Oenothera biennis (ee-NOTH-er-ah by-EN-iss) common evening primrose—This entire plant can range from 1 to 6feet in height with yellow 4-petaledflowers,1 to 2 inches in size, which openfully at twilight in meadows. Its leavesare broad and lance shaped withsparsely toothed edges. Fluted seedpods are beautiful in winter.