Hello there all people! I hope this publish finds you correctly. The rain inside the forecast seems to have disappeared, apart from the 3-4/10 of an inch twice earlier inside the closing week (or the week sooner than). Tuesday night time time we had considerably rain, nevertheless the rain gauge solely talked about 1/10″. There was additional inside the forecast for Wednesday afternoon, however it didn’t happen. So, it is nonetheless very dry. Temps have been inside the larger 80’s-90 daily which is what was inside the forecast.

On Sunday, September 24, I decided to take a stroll to the south hayfield and the southeast pasture to see what I’d of couldn’t uncover… The doorway part of the southeast hayfield will get some afternoon shade, so there could also be some inexperienced regardless that it is dry.

Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot) on 9-24-23.

Not faraway from the doorway of the south hayfield, I found numerous Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot). They like not lower than considerably shade for them to do correctly, and this time of the yr they really flourish and are in full bloom. There are quite a few these vegetation rising inside the area north of the rooster dwelling. They don’t seem to be good vegetation and are toxic to folks, livestock, and deer. That’s the species that causes milk sickness as its toxin (tremetol) is handed through the milk from cattle and goats. Tremetol may even contaminate the meat… No matter its toxicity, bugs feed on the nectar with no state of affairs. I didn’t see any butterflies or completely different bugs on the flowers of these vegetation… I took numerous additional photos of, or referring to the White Snakeroot shortly the stroll…

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster on 9-24-23.

There have been numerous hit-and-miss Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster) inside the south hayfield. This is not an ample species proper right here on the farm, the reality is, I first acknowledged it from a single small colony within the major hayfield closing summer season season. There have been so many Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) closing summer season season that one would on no account know besides you by likelihood got here throughout a lookalike…

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster) on 9-24-23.

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum has 16-50 ray florets in 1-2 sequence so this one is definitely inside these parameters… Hmmm… Am I optimistic? Which may be a secret. 🙂

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster) on 9-24-23.

One issue for optimistic, the involucral bracts say this plant is actually a Symphyotrichum species. It is the solely species inside the genus on the farm that has white flowers that develop in full photo voltaic. OH WAIT A MINUTE!!! I forgot regarding the Symphyotrichum pilosum (Bushy White Oldfield Aster). HMMM… That species has 15-35 ray florets! GEEZ! Maybe these photos are of S. pilosum! Now I am confused AGAIN… It’s very simple to be confused with among the many species on this genus.

I started strolling in direction of the sting of the place the blackberries develop nevertheless noticed these darn sticktights had been in all places! As a rule I title them Desmodium adopted by a popularity I can write proper right here. Properly, we’re grownup folks, so I am optimistic you may help. So, I walked contained within the hayfield in its place of the sting of the place the blackberries are rising.

Tripsacum dactyloides (Japanese Gamagrass) on 9-24-23.

I noticed some grass taller than the Purple Prime and bought considerably excited. I zoomed in considerably and took a shot sooner than dashing to the spot…

Tripsacum dactyloides (Japanese Gamagrass) on 9-24-23.

Now isn’t that thrilling? Tripsacum dactyloides (Japanese Gamagrass) inside the south hayfield!

Tripsacum dactyloides (Japanese Gamagrass) on 9-24-23.

WOW! To the correct was a quite a bit larger bunch. I suppose this grass has been proper right here for a while (duh) nevertheless I merely haven’t noticed it. I normally don’t run spherical inside the hayfield that quite a bit sooner than it’ll get decrease because of it is arduous to walk in. Since there was no hay to cut, this grass had a chance to get someplace. Kevin usually cuts the hay at 3-4″ and this species doesn’t choose it beneath 6″. That is because of it needs an excellent amount of carbohydrates that is saved in its leaves to regrow. I attempted to assemble seeds from this grass within the major hayfield, nevertheless I am undecided if I was able to get seeds or just what was left after the seeds fell out. We’ll see…

Hmmm… No caption wished! I was so excited regarding the Gama Grass I didn’t pay any consideration to the “you already know what” inside the midst of all of the issues. GEEZ!

Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) on 9-24-23.

There are just a few Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) even inside the south hayfield the place they’re normally in all places. Similar as a result of the state of affairs within the major hayfield.

Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) on 9-24-23.

Positive, I am positive about this one. Properly, my fingers are crossed as a result of it does have a look-alike. Erigeron strigosus is kind of associated nevertheless isn’t so “weedy”. I take that to suggest they don’t unfold as rampant as E. annuus. One has additional of a shaggy look nevertheless I forgot which is which with out doing the evaluation AGAIN… I had come to the conclusion the species proper right here is E. annuus so I am sticking with it…

Oenothera sp. (Primrose) on 9-24-23.

Hmmm… I walked in direction of the realm the place the blackberries are rising and stumbled upon, of all points, a Primrose. Throughout the hayfield!!! Okay, I suppose that isn’t so unusual apart from the actual fact I’ve on no account seen them inside the hayfield. There’s A LOT of Oenothera biennis (Frequent Evening Primrose) rising inside the cracks of what was the once more porch of my grandparent’s earlier dwelling. For the earlier numerous years pretty numerous have been rising inside the flower mattress subsequent to the porch… The mattress I made inside the early 1980’s… Until now I haven’t seen them wherever else on the farm and even on backroads. This yr I noticed a small colony alongside the freeway merely earlier a close-by metropolis (Calhoun). I had been engaged on a house in Clinton so I handed the colony numerous days in a row. Then sooner or later the freeway crew mowed them off…

The Missouri Crops website online lists 12 species of Oenothera native to Missouri…

My internet has been pretty sluggish for a while, nevertheless not too long ago, it has been insane! I am having a troublesome time importing photos…

Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster) on 9-24-23.

Strolling north in entrance of the blackberry jungle, I noticed a nice cluster of Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Tall White Aster). Possibly I shouldn’t bounce the gun on this one since I wasn’t correct subsequent to it. Yeah, I zoomed in because of what was rising spherical it. OUCH!!! After I took the {photograph}, I walked away and thought, “What if it isn’t even a Symphyotrichum species?” So, I went once more, reached in, and made optimistic. It is positively a Symphyotrichum, nevertheless I didn’t rely the petals. Properly, even after I did I may be guessing. I’m undecided, nevertheless I imagine the vegetation are the one ones that know their true identification whereas we folks merely guess… Some species I do know correctly, nevertheless others would require far more time to ascertain inside the self-discipline and I have to carry spherical notes. I am optimistic I can give you additional causes (excuses) to solely take a guess.

I bought right here to the east end of the south hayfield and wanted to resolve. I wanted to walk alongside the fence of the hayfield on my method once more, nevertheless I moreover wanted to attempt the once more pasture… Hmmm… It was already nearly 6 PM…

Shortcut to the once more pasture…

I decided I should go to the once more pasture and see what it seems to be like like. There’s one particular place I choose to cross that isn’t that harmful. Going through on the nook could possibly be not potential since there are A LOT of tall blackberry brambles to walk through. The precise spot I stroll through doesn’t even have Poison Ivy! There is a fence, nevertheless I can step correct over it.

Wanting in direction of the southeast nook…

As quickly as out inside the open, I appeared in direction of the tip of the once more pasture, in direction of what I title the swamp. I title your entire area behind the south hayfield the once more pasture. It would get good afternoon shade because of the timber rising inside the fence row. There’s some grass rising due to the Purple Stem and the Tall Fescue.

Wanting north…

Wanting north, you probably can see the timber on the left between the south hayfield and once more pasture. To the correct are timber on the neighbor’s property that adjust to a creek. The fence row has numerous Multiflora Roses, Japanese Pink Cedar, and naturally Japanese Honeysuckle.

Solidago sp. (Goldenrod) on 9-24-23.

There has on a regular basis been a good-sized colony of Solidago on the end of the grassy area of the once more pasture. Earlier them, it is normally a mixture of blackberry briars and additional blackberry briars… Which is able to sound weird, nevertheless it is true. There is a HUGE mulberry tree inside the area and former which may be a band of small timber…

Into the swamp…

Merely on the other side of the Goldenrod is an area that is usually grown up, nevertheless this yr I was able to stroll through it. Uncommon how quite a few “crap” seems to be missing proper right here. After we had cattle grazing the once more pasture, I had {an electrical} fence on this area so that they couldn’t farther down. Tree limbs and blackberry briars made it powerful to care for {the electrical} fence. As a result of the briars grew farther into the pasture, I’d switch the fence.

The swamp…

In 2020, a fence was constructed alongside the boundary of the south hayfield all one of the simplest ways all the way in which right down to the east boundary fence. We decided to maneuver the fence probably 60′ or so in entrance of the earlier fence. The earlier fence runs alongside the boundary and is usually standing in water. There’s now a cattle panel for a gate merely in case the cows get out. Hmmm… Each time and if the tenant locations cattle proper right here. For many who don’t take into account from earlier posts, the Rock Island Railroad ran alongside the south side of the farm, which is now part of the Katy (MKT) Path. On the other side is city park with a good-sized lake. The lake was as quickly as used to fill steam locomotives with water. There is a large culvert the place the lake drains. There’s moreover a spillway on the south side of the lake.

This area has modified moderately quite a bit since I returned in 2023. The swampy area was as quickly as filled with Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) then it was taken over by a species of reed grass. Since this summer season season has been so dry, even it has refused to develop…

Hmmm… I am questioning what variety of additional I can get on my pants?

Asclepias syriaca (Frequent Milkweed) seeds…

Strolling once more into the pasture, there could also be quite a few Asclepias syriaca (Frequent Milkweed) going to seed now. The vegetation inside the once more pasture are on a regular basis considerably behind these within the major hayfield. In all probability because of the realm will get shade inside the afternoon.

Midway inside the once more pasture making an attempt north on 9-24-23.

There have been a whole lot of Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) on this area earlier within the summertime. Now there are none. There’s not even a touch of earlier stems and seeds…

Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) on 9-24-23.

Hmmm… I was strolling alongside the treeline the place there have been pretty numerous White Snakeroots are in flower. I noticed this Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) so I zoomed in to get a shot. I noticed one factor weird… It appeared very nice… It was DEAD! It was hanging by its tongue… White Snakeroot, as you already know, is extraordinarily toxic nevertheless butterflies and completely different bugs can feed on the nectar with out damage. Do you assume, since there aren’t many flowers to feed on, that an extreme quantity of of an excellent issue may probably be lethal?

I knew it was a Painted Lady because of earlier identifications, nevertheless I’ve no observations posted on iNaturalist nor any photos in my folders. Hmmm… One factor is weird… Possibly I took photos nevertheless they’d been too blurry to keep away from losing nevertheless OK for an ID. In response to information on-line, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) might be essentially the most widespread of all butterfly species…

Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle) on 9-24-23.

There have been nonetheless numerous Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle) blooming nevertheless most have already gone to seed. These are “user-friendly” thistles with out the entire prickles on their leaves and stems.

I left the once more pasture and went once more into the south hayfield. I walked alongside the fence the place it had been mowed a while once more.

Bidens bipinnata (Spanish Needles) on 9-24-23.

WHOA! I nearly walked correct proper right into a lure of Bidens bipinnata (Spanish Needles)! In quite a few vegetation, they’re arduous to see. I didn’t want so as to add the other sticktights on my pants!

Bidens bipinnata (Spanish Needles) on 9-24-23.

I on a regular basis choose to steer clear of these and normally do a fairly good job.

Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) on 9-24-23.

Farther down I noticed one different lifeless Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) on White Snakeroot flowers… As soon as extra hanging by its tongue…

Argynnis cybele (Good Spangled Fritillary) on 9-24-23.

Inside numerous ft was an Argynnis cybele (Good Spangled Fritillary) feeding on A Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle) flower. These are one among my favorite butterflies to {photograph} because of they don’t fly away so fast. This one isn’t so brightly colored and his wings are torn significantly. I suggested it to avoid the White Snakeroot…

I appeared ahead of me and noticed I was in considerably little little bit of a predicament… The vegetation had grown additional on this area as a result of it was mowed. I have to stroll through it… Maybe I can get additional beggarticks on my pants!

The above {photograph} is what I merely walked through (in direction of the east). You can see the place it has been mowed farther up…

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (Pale Indian Plantain) on 9-24-23.

I ran all through a colony of first-year Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (Pale Indian Plantain). I truly like their tropical-like leaves.

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (Pale Indian Plantain) on 9-24-23.

In case you’re unsure of the species, merely flip over the leaves and seek for the whiteish underside.

Abutilon theophrasti (Velvet Leaf) on 9-24-23.

I had wanted numerous additional photos of Abutilon theophrasti (Velvet Leaf) and proper right here I found one different plant. I imagine it was closing yr I found a single seed pod within the major hayfield.

Abutilon theophrasti (Velvet Leaf) on 9-24-23.

This one has numerous seed pods and even numerous inexperienced leaves! The seed pods could possibly be good in dried preparations.

Ipomoea hederacea (Ivy-Leaved or Blue Morning Glory) on 9-24-23

It even had a Ipomoea hederacea (Ivy-Leaved or Blue Morning Glory) on its stem. I imagine the south hayfield is the one place I’ve seen this species of Morning Glory. It’s a widespread species nevertheless I first acknowledged it from vegetation sprawling alongside the underside in 2021. There is a good older home in Clinton with Morning Glories planted alongside its wrought iron fence. Appears to be truly good!

Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed) on 9-24-23.

Lastly a nice colony of Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed).

Senna marilandica (Maryland or Southern Senna) on 9-24-23.

Then I stumbled upon this plant alongside the fence… I acknowledged it as Senna marilandica (Maryland or Southern Senna) however it may probably be one different species of Senna… One different new species acknowledged proper right here. As you probably can see, it’ll in all probability merely be acknowledged by its leaves and prolonged bean-like seed pods. It is a member of the plant family Fabaceae…

Verbesina virginica (White Crownbeard.Frostweed) on 9-24-23.

There’s on a regular basis a giant colony of Verbesina virginica (White Crownbeard/Frostweed) alongside the fence inside the south hayfield. We’re getting close to the tip… This colony is temporary since they’d been mowed off beforehand.

Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot) on 9-24-23.

Correct subsequent to the Verbesina virginica is a good-sized colony of Ageratina altissima (White Snakeroot). As with all of this species on the farm, this colony seems to be like good…

I walked out of the south hayfield getting ready to return to the house. I decided to walk in direction of the small pond to cut all through the ditch there… Guess what I seen?!?!

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) on 9-24-23.

Lo and behold it was the clump of Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster). For many who take into account from the ultimate publish, I assumed they’d absolutely vanished because of the drought. I ought to have been considerably off inside the location (numerous ft)… What I seen sooner than was merely stems and dried leaves so I assumed it was one factor else. As a result of it rained considerably since then, it grew new leaves and flowered. Which may be a attribute of numerous species of Symphyotrichum along with S. praealtum (Willowleaf Aster) which hasn’t flowered however. I can’t uncover it until it blooms…

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) on 9-24-23.

The flowers aren’t nearly as enormous as widespread and by no means near as many. The vegetation are usually taller than I am, nevertheless this yr they’re MUCH shorter (which is one other excuse I couldn’t uncover them). A minimal of the stems are standing upright the place they’re usually nearly on the underside. One issue I like about this species is that they maintain put. The clump has gotten bigger, nevertheless they don’t pop up in all places. I am relieved they’re nonetheless alive!

Torilis japonica (Japanese Hedge Parsley) on 9-24-23.

One different plant I steer clear of similar to the plague is Torilis japonica (Japanese Hedge Parsley). I’m not going to repeat my sock story from after I used to be a baby. A similar species, Torilis arvensis (Frequent Hedge Parsley), is comparable in nearly every attribute. Various years up to now I grew to grow to be curious regarding the Hedge Parsley proper right here. T. japonica has hooked barbs whereas T. arvensis has curved barbs. I took the magnifying glass and all I checked out had hooked barbs. A while once more, a member of iNaturalist disagreed and really useful T. arvensis. I outlined the excellence and he thought it was the other method spherical… He tagged one different member and he talked about one of many easiest methods to tell was T. japonica has a whorl of bracts beneath the umbellets… Hmmm… I went to confirm and the entire vegetation I checked had been too far alongside to have leaves to not point out bracts. Now I’ve to attend until subsequent yr to confirm… When the seed will become old, the hooks on the bristles moreover fall off.

I assumed I’d take a shot of the first pond behind the barn… It is dry and the ragweed is flourishing…

Darn! I misplaced numerous…

Properly, I larger shut for now. Because it’s October now, eventually the potted vegetation should come inside. GEEZ!

Until subsequent time, be safe, maintain optimistic, and on a regular basis be grateful.