Tag: environment
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Amelanchier canadensis
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: am-uh-LANG-kee-er kan-a-DEN-sis Description: Distribution/Location: Native to eastern North America, thriving in forests and open woodlands. Environmental Benefits: Its berries are a food source for birds, and its roots help with erosion control. Fun Fact: Serviceberry fruits taste like blueberries and can be eaten raw or used in jams and pies.
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Podophyllum peltatum
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: poh-doh-FIL-um pel-TAY-tum Description: Distribution/Location: Native to the eastern United States, commonly found in shady forests. Environmental Benefits: Provides food for wildlife, especially turtles, who enjoy the fruits. Crucial energy source for primary consumers. Fun Fact: While the fruits are edible when ripe, other parts of the plant are toxic and were…
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Sporobolus heterolepis
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: spoh-ROH-boh-lus het-er-oh-LEE-pis Description: Distribution/Location: Native to the prairies of central North America, thriving in well-drained soils. Environmental Benefits: Excellent for erosion control, drought-resistant, and supports prairie ecosystems. It is also often seen in urban areas, as decoration and Fun Fact: Prairie Dropseed was used by Native Americans to make flour from…
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Trifolium repens
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: try-FOH-lee-um REE-penz Description: White Clover is a low-growing, perennial herb with trifoliate leaves and small, white to pinkish flowers arranged in dense, round heads. It spreads via creeping stems that root at the nodes, forming a dense mat. The leaves are trifoliate, with three leaflets that are often marked with a…
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Panicum virgatum
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: PAN-ih-kum vir-GAY-tum Description: Distribution/Location: Environmental Benefits: Fun Fact: Switchgrass was one of the dominant species in the tallgrass prairies that once covered much of North America. Plays a key role in prairie restoration projects aimed at restoring these vital ecosystems!