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One of the things I’ve been struggling with on our 100 Species Challenge is finding a good way to identify plants that I’m not familiar with at all. I’ve looked for a good (or a couple of good) book resources but have thus far come up empty. Part of the problem there is that I like full color plant identification books and weeds are often not given that much love and attention!

So here is my first mystery plant. That I’m not having a good time finding any hints on:

It doesn’t get much bigger than that of course this particular specimen was located in a heavy traffic area so it may have been stunted. Any guesses as to what it is?

1. Pin Oak
2. Belladonna Lily
3. Poison Ivy
4. Highbush Cranberry
5. Stinging Nettle
6. Goldenrod

Scientific Name:  Solidago canadensis

Common Name:  Canada Goldenrod

I believe I have been bad mouthing this plant in error:

From the e-nature website:

This species produces showy displays, usually late in the summer. Although it and other Goldenrods are commonly blamed for hay fever, this discomfort is usually caused by pollen from Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), which are less conspicuous plants with greenish flowers that bloom at the same time. Missouri Goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis), is similar but usually smaller, with smooth stems.

We had this rather pretty plant blooming all over a few weeks ago. I was blaming its showy yellow flowers for my allergy flare up. But in researching the species I’ve learned I was most likely wrong. I can’t say much about this plant save for the fact it brightens up our meadow areas. And the bee’s seem to like this one that is situated quite near them. I was actually happy to learn that this is most likely not what is killing my sinuses as it means I do not have to try to banish it from our “yard”.

Read more about the Canada Goldenrod here!

1. Pin Oak
2. Belladonna Lily
3. Poison Ivy
4. Highbush Cranberry
5. Stinging Nettle

Scientific Name: Urtica dioica

Common Name: Stinging Nettle

This example of our Stinging Nettles is not the most impressive due to the fact that this particular plant is located near my chicken pen and has been continually mowed down over the summer. Now since I don’t really enjoy the horrid stinging of the plant I am not actually that sad to see that it has been stunted! But for the record we do have impressive two feet+ tall Nettle bushes out near our woods. They are strong and wild plants that one really doesn’t want to run into unprepared!

Stinging Nettles do have some uses and are considered to be an edible plant as they can be used in soups, tisanes and have other herbal uses. However if you run into these plants you will activate the stinging hairs on the plant releasing irritating chemicals that cause the “stinging”. If you are clothed it isn’t a problem but summer wear often leaves legs, ankles uncovered and vulnerable to this plant. While not detrimental to a person the “sting” is irritating and painful especially to children. A common remedy to alleviate the sting of a nettle is to rub the area with mint leaves.

Learn more about the Stinging Nettle at this University of Maryland website!