Hi! We bought our house in October, nothing had flowered, but there were several bushes with berries on them. However, many of the berries had dried out. I think I've identified some raspberry bushes and a currant bush. I'm stumped on a few more. Hopefully some of you experts can help me! I live in mid-Michigan (zone 5) and obviously these are all outdoor plants. This one has stumped me the most: http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/mizinformed/DSC01249.jpg This is a closer, better look at it. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/mizinformed/DSC01364.jpg The blossoms are almost a fushchia color. However, there are several other bushes with the exact same blossom, but the very palest lavender/pink color. This one, I don't have a clue. I apologize for the blurriness...it was really windy. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/mizinformed/DSC01375.jpg I will try for a better picture tomorrow if it's not raining. My woods are literally COVERED in these: http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e71/mizinformed/DSC01378.jpg Thanks so much for any and ALL help!! I'm looking forward to being an active participant in this forum. I stumbled across it while trying to identify the flora in my yard. Regards, Michelle
Hello Michelle, Got a tripod? on the second and third images you really need a close up of the flowers and as clear as possible. The first plant is a shrub??? It looks like a vine to me-in fact it reminds me of a pernicious honeysuckle plant except it is not white flowers! Possibly in the same family?? A closer up on the flowers would also help. Also have you tried googling for michigan wild flowers or northeastern wild flowers or canadian wildflowers? Don't really have the time to do so at this hour. Please redo the images.
#2 Looks like Viburnum acerifolium Maple Leaf Viburnum. Here's a site for comparison: http://www.tripplebrookfarm.com/iplants/Viburnum.html
Images aren't all that bad. First one does look like a Lonicera...there are many which are in shrub form...but I don't recognize it specifically. The flowers are a bit too showy for the usual bush honeysuckles that grow in your area. Second one is Viburnum acerifolium. Third one is clear enough, but I don't recognize it.
#3 could be Hesperis matronalis or Dame Hesperis? Try this page for a photo comparison and warning about it's invasiveness. If that #1 Lonicera (honeysuckle) is in a natural area then you might look through the this USDA Plants list of wild or escaped plants from your state, to see if any compare. I don't have time/energy to do the digging. Not all are pictured, so you will have to do a google image search on the botanic name for those. Those names indented are synonyms so skip them. One of the experts that habituate this forum might still come up with the answer though. Good luck with your search, looks like a great plant to save unlike #3 if it is Hesperis. Harry
I *think* this *may* be a highbush cranberry: http://www.traderscreek.com/Survival_Guide/Edible_Plants/highbush_cranberry.asp
Thanks for your help! I kind of like the hesperis...it's in a "wasteland" of sorts... I have been searching for literally, days, trying to figure out some of these things. The #1 honeysuckle is pretty close to a Japanese Honeysuckle, but different enough that I'm not sure. The honeysuckle is about 10 feet across, 10 feet deep and at least 8 feet tall, it is actually two bushes planted close together. I think it's quite pretty. There are several much smaller versions in the same area, with much lighter, paler blossoms. I'm sure at one time ,the woods here were not woods at all, but a planned garden area. The area has been allowed to "naturalize" due to neglect for at least 15-20 years. I have TONS of wild grapes growing all over the place. This morning my Mom was over and she thinks I also have TONS of poison ivy. <sigh>
MsMichelle You probably know all about it, but be careful with the poison ivy. Even if you don't get the rash, you can pass it on to others/pets through any contact, even by way of clothing. The oils remain for days. Also this is the time of year here when it is most apt to cause problems for those who are susceptible/sensitized. Whatever you do, don't burn it, as when the smoke gets in your lungs you are really in trouble. Also, one flora I read states that it might be possible to sensitize yourself to it by prolonged contact over time. So my suggestion would be to use protective clothing (Good Will/ St Vincent's) while working with or around it and then toss them afterwards. Harry
MsMishelle If you have plans to use Hibush cranberry (Viburnum edule) berries, better to pick them up after first frost- bitterness will go away
Thanks, Harry. After a nasty brush with poison ivy in my early teens, I'd like to avoid it as much as possible. After more looking, I'm thinking (ok, hoping) that it's actually Virginia Creeper. I'm pretty sure I remember lots of dark purple/blackish berries from last fall. If not, it's going to be eradicated. My 7 yr old son practically lives in those woods. Michelle in Michigan
Poison ivy has leaves of three/ let it be. Virginia creeper has a 5 leaves to a node. If you have trouble with id send a picture to the forum. :) Also there is a search tool on the green line towards the top of this page that should bring up some hits from this forum. Decided I was a little late with this post as you put up the poison ivy thread some time ago. I agree with LPlant that it is most probably Virginia Creeper or Parthenocissus quinquefolia . (quinquefolia = 5 leaves) Harry
Actually the viburnum trilobum is sometimes called the American cranberry bush. My book says the berries are 'musky, sweet' in flavour and can be made into preserves. Good for winter wildlife too. The first pics are honeysuckle. An old cottage near our house has one that looks like a bush, but is really a vine that had nothing to climb on and rolled over onto itself. Good luck with the perhaps invasive ?hesperis. Careful with it, though it is pretty, sometimes invasive becomes a war. Such as with my inherited jerusalem artichokes and my dad's planted goutweed.
