Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.
 Tiger Swallowtail on Button Bush
We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910 unless otherwise noted. (No meeting in December.) The Center is located on the south east corner of Mount Hope Ave. and Aurelius Road, see map at right.
All meetings and field trips are open to the public. We always welcome interested individuals to join us in learning more about Michigan's rich diversity of native plants, and the wildlife that depend on them. Refreshments are usually served. In the summer months we visit outdoor locations instead of meeting indoors. See our upcoming events on the Wild Ones Red Cedar Chapter Events page! |
Native Notes
No Neonics Photo from
usinggeorgianativeplants.blogspot.com Studies of plants purchased at national retailers found high levels of neonicotinoid insecticides in flowers normally planted in pollinator gardens. The levels found were high enough to kill bees or impair them. Butterflies and caterpillars are at risk too. Some retailer have marked treated plants with tags but uninformed buyers might consider having no insects a benefit. For more information follow this link.
All the Red Cedar Chapter native plant sale stock is pesticide free! |
Pinch Perennials Now to Control Height Joe-Pye Weed
by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region Flickr.com Do you want to plant native flowers for the birds, bees and butterflies but find that some are just too tall? You can shorten the height of Asters, Bee Balm, Joe-Pye Weed, Culver's Root and others by pinching back the new growth. You can cut them back by as much as 1/2 to 2/3 which will result in shorter, more compact plants with more flowers. Click here for more information.
|
Which Native Plants are Blooming this Week?
Information about how insects and other animals utilize these plants comes from www.illinoiswildflowers.info
Most of our photos are from photographers who share their images under Creative Commons licenses. Click on individual photos for more details.
 Photo by "beautifulcataya"Flickr.com 6-3-17 Shrubby Cinquefoil is in bloom. The flowers attract bees and other insects. Caterpillars of the Dorcas Copper butterfly and the Large Lace Border moth eat the foliage and flowers.
|
 Photo by Marilylle Soveran"withrow" Flickr.com 6-2-17 Harebell is in bloom. These delicate looking flowers are actually quite easy to grow. They attract a variety of bees which pollinate them while collecting their nectar.
|
 Photo by Jenny EvansFlickr.com 5-30-17 Blue Flag Iris is in bloom. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. The caterpillars of the Virginia Ctenucha and Agreeable Tiger moth feed on the foliage
|
 Photo by Mary Leys
5-30-17 American Bittersweet is in bloom. The flowers attract bees and other insects. The caterpillars of the Common Tan Wave moth eat the foliage. Birds and mammals eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by "Stilgherrian"Flickr.com 5-30-17 Sand Coreopsis is in bloom. Many bees, butterflies & beetles visit to collect nectar and pollen. Several moth caterpillars such as the Wavy Lined Emerald feed on the foliage and birds eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by Jon Sullivan"Mollivan Jon" Flickr.com 5-30-17 Honey Locust is in bloom. The fragrant flowers attract small bees. Several caterpillars eat the foliage including the Silver Spotted Skipper. The sweet seed pods may have been eaten by mastodons.
|
 Photo by "mwms1916"Flicker.com 5-23-17 Wild Blue Indigo is in bloom. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators. Several moth, butterfly & skipper caterpillars feed on the foliage including the Frosted Elfin & Orange Sulfur.
|
 Photo by Per "the real Kam75"Flickr.com 5-21-17 Wild Lupine is in bloom. Many types of bees visit the flowers for pollen. The leaves feed the caterpillars of several moths and butterflies including the endangered Karner Blue butterfly.
|
 Photo by Fritz Flohr Reynolds Flickr.com 05-25-17 Hairy Beardtongue is in bloom. The tubular flowers attract native bees. Caterpillars of the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly feed on the foliage. Hummingbirds may also visit.
|
 Photo by Kerry Wixted Flickr.com 5-20-17 Creeeping Strawberry Bush is in bloom. The flowers attract small bees and flies and the foliage feeds caterpillars such as the American Ermine moth. The red fruit is eaten by birds.
|
 Photo by Dave BontaFlickr.com 5-20-17 Starflower is in bloom. These plants are found in shady, moist areas with acid soil. Bees & flies visit for pollen but the flowers produce no nectar. Chipmunks eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by Mo Barger "MoBarger" Flickr.com 5-20-17 Blueberries are in bloom. Bees visit for pollen and nectar. Many species of moth & butterfly caterpillars feed on the plant including Harris's Three-spot moth & Henry's Elfin. Birds and mammals enjoy the fruit.
|
 Photo by Charles Wohlers "cwohlers" Flickr.com 5-20-17 Pagoda Dogwood is in bloom. Many insects are attracted to the fragrant flowers. Several caterpillars, including those of the Cecropia moth, feed on the foliage. Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruit.
|
 Photo by "pverdonk"Flickr.com 5-20-17 Spiderwort is in bloom. The blue flowers open in the morning and close by evening. They are pollinated by several types of bees. Some animals will eat the foliage such as rabbits & box turtles.
|
 Photo by Peter Gorman "pchgorman" Flickr.com 5-20-17 Virginia Waterleaf is in bloom. The flowers attract many kinds of bees including Bumble Bees, Digger Bees, Cuckoo Bees, Mason Bees, Halictid Bees and Adrenid Bees.
|
 Photo by Joshua Mayer "wackybadger" Flickr.com 5-13-17 Golden Ragwort & Round-leaf Ragwort are in bloom. The flowers attract small bees, flies & beetles. The caterpillars of Northern Metalmark and the Gem moth feed on the foliage.
|
 Photoby "Linda N."Flickr.com 05-13-17 Black Chokeberry is in bloom. Bees are attracted to the nectar and pollen. Caterpillars of Coral Hairstreak butterflies and Bluish Spring Moth eat the foliage. Birds and mammals enjoy the fruit.
|
 Photo by "wundoroo" Flickr.com 5-13-17 Blue-eyed Grass is in bloom. The petals have dark violet nectar guides that lead visiting bees to the center of the flower. The seeds are eaten by wild turkeys and other game birds.
|
 Nannyberry by Dan Mullen"milesizz" Flickr.com 05-13-17 Nannyberry is in bloom. The nectar & pollen attract many kinds of bees. Moth caterpillars such as the Brown Scoop-wing & the Horrid Zale eat the foliage. Birds and mammals relish the fruit.
|
 Photo by Sage Ross "ragesoss" Flickr.com 5-11-17 Wild Columbine is in bloom. Humming-birds visit to drink nectar, bees collect pollen as well. The leaves host caterpillars of the Columbine Duskywing butterfly.
|
 Photo by "Dendroica cerulea" Flickr.com
5-11-17 Wild Strawberry is in bloom. The flowers attract bees, flies and butterflies. Several caterpillars feed on the foliage including those of the Grizzled Skipper. Birds and mammals enjoy the fruit.
|
 Photo by Elizabeth Seagull
5-11-17 Limber Honeysuckle, also known as Red or Smooth Honey-suckle is in bloom. These flowers are a food source for hummingbirds and bees. Birds eat the fruit.
|
 Photo by James Gaither"J.G. in S.F." Flickr.com 5-11-17 Grape Honeysuckle is in bloom. The fragrant yellow flowers attract hummingbirds, moths & bees. Several moth caterpillars eat the leaves including the Snowberry Clearwing The fruits are eaten by birds.
|
 Photo by Franziska Geiser "franziskas garten" Flickr.com 5-01-17 Wild American Plum is in bloom. The flowers attract bees & other insects. Several moth caterpillars eat the leaves including the Twin-Spotted Sphinx. The fruits are eaten by birds & mammals.
|
 Photo by Jay SturnerFlickr.com 4-28-17 Swamp Buttercup is in bloom. Bees, flies, beetles and skippers visit the flowers to collect the pollen and nectar. The seeds are eaten by turkeys and small mammals.
|
 Photo by Frank Mayfield"gmayfield10" Flickr.com |
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
4-28-17 Fragrant Sumac is in bloom. The flowers attract small bees and flies. Caterpillars of several moth and butterfly species eat the foliage including the Red-banded Hairstreak and Regal Moth.
|
 Photo by Lisa Brown"Mean and Pinchy" Flickr.com 4-28-17 Woodland Phlox is filling the air with its sweet perfume. Bees and butterflies visit to collect nectar. The leaves feed some species of moth caterpillars.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield"tgpotterfield" Flicker.com 4-28-17 Pawpaw trees are in bloom. The flowers are pollinated by flies. Zebra Swallowtail and Pawpaw Sphinx caterpillars eat the leaves. The fruit is eaten by mammals and Box Turtles.
|
 Photo by Teresa Boardman "TBoard" Flickr.com 4-25-17 Wild Geranium is in bloom. The flowers attract bees, flies & skippers. Some caterpillars feed on the leaves including the Omnivorous Leafroller moth. Chipmunks eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by Michael.PortrayingLife.comFlicker.com 4-25-17 American Bladdernut is in bloom. The bell shaped flowers attract bees and small butterflies. Leaf Cutter bees use the foliage for their nests. This shrub will grow in part shade and is deer resistant.
|
 Photo by "RobDurfee"Flickr.com 4-25-17 Trillium is in bloom. There are several species of Trillium with flowers varying from white to red, upright to nodding, and large to small. Their seeds are distributed by ants.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
4-25-17 Jacob's Ladder is in bloom. Many bees, butterflies, and moths are attracted to the flowers to collect nectar or pollen. These plants will grow under Black Walnut trees.
|
 Photo by Matt Lavin Flickr.com 4-23-17 Green Ash is in bloom. Many insects feed on the foliage including the caterpillars of the Tiger Swallowtail and Promethea moth. The seeds are eaten by birds and squirrels.
|
 Photo by Eli Sagor "esagor" Flicker.com 4-22-17 Hackberry is in bloom. The leaves feed several caterpillars including those of the Hack-berry Emperor and the American Snout butterfly. Birds and squirrels eat the berries.
|
 Photo by "JanetandPhil" Flicker.com 4-22-17 Boxelder is in bloom. The leaves feed several cater-pillars including Rosy Maple and Cecropia moths.The seeds are an impor-tant food source for birds since they remain on the tree during the winter.
|
 Photo by Joshua Mayer "wackybadger" Flickr.com
04-22-17 Jack-in-the-Pulpit is in bloom. The "pulpit" contains the flowers which will later develop into bright red fruit. The fruits are eaten by birds such as the Wood Thrush and Wild Turkeys.
|
 Photo by Richard SkoonbergFlickr.com 04-22-17 Foamflower is in bloom. This plant forms a lovely ground cover in part shade. Insects visit the flowers for pollen and nectar. Birds eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by Joshua Mayer "wackybadger" Flicker.com
04-22-17 Golden Alexanders are a nectar source for insects with short mouth parts during the spring when few other such flowers are blooming. The caterpillars of Black Swallowtail butterflies feed on the foliage.
|
 Photo by "pverdonk"Flickr.com 04-22-17 Wild Black Currant is in bloom. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, while the foliage is eaten by caterpillars of the Green Comma and Gray Comma butter-flies. Mammals and birds enjoy the fruit.
|
 Photo by Fritz Flohr Reynolds Flickr.com 04-22-17 Spring Cress is in bloom. The nectar attracts bees, flies, small butterflies and skippers. It looks very similar to Purple Cress which blooms about 2 weeks earlier and has flowers with a pinkish tinge.
|
 Photo by "pverdonk"Flickr.com 04-22-17 Blue Cohosh is in bloom. The flowers aren't very showy but bees, flies, and beneficial wasps do visit for nectar and pollen. The blue berries are eaten by birds and small mammals.
|
 Photo by "dogtooth77"Flickr.com 04-18-17 Wood Anemone is in bloom. The flowers close at night and open during the day to allow pollination by bees, wasps and flies.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
04-18-17 Flowering Dogwood is in bloom. Bees and flies gather nectar and pollen. Many butterfly and moth caterpillars eat the leaves including the Spring/Summer Azure and Cecropia moth.
|
 Photo by "k8southern"Flickr.com 04-18-17 Large Flowered Bellwort or Merrybells is blooming in shady woodlands. Bees collect the nectar and pollen, and ants distribute the seeds.
|
 Photo by "dogtooth77"Flickr.com 04-18-17 Early Meadow Rue is in bloom. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants and are wind pollinated. Moth caterpillars such as the Canadian Owlet Moth eat the foliage.
|
 Photo by Bob Danley "Striking" Flickr.com
04-18-17 Pussy Toes are in bloom. The flowers aren't very showy but small bees and flies do visit them. The silvery foliage feeds the caterpillars of American Painted Lady butterflies.
|
 Photo by Jay SturnerFlickr.com 04-18-17 Spring Avens is in bloom. The flowers primarily attract small bees which collect the pollen and nectar. The bristly seed heads stick to animal fur and clothing for distribution.
|
 Photo by "BlueRidgeKitties" Flicker.com
04-18-17 Wild Ginger is in bloom. These flowers are at ground level hidden under the leaves. They are most likely pollinated by beetles and flies. Ants disperse the seeds.
|
 Photo by Gene WilburnFlickr.com 04-18-17 Prairie Smoke is in bloom. The pretty pink buds barely open. Bumble bees are one of the only insects strong enough to force their way in to get the nectar. The seed heads are showy too!
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
04-18-17 Marsh Marigolds or Cowslips are in bloom. This is a circumpolar species found in Europe, Asia and North America. They grow in wet areas and attract bees and flies for their pollen & nectar.
|
 Photo by "buttersweet"Flickr.com 04-18-17 Eastern Redbud is in bloom. The flowers attract bees and the leaves host caterpillars of Henry's Elfin butterflies. Birds eat the seeds. The flowers and young seed pods can be eaten by people too!
|
 Photo by Joshua Mayer "wackybadger" Flickr.com 04-18-17 Two-Leaved Mitrewort or Bishop's Cap is in bloom. Its dainty fringed flowers are visited by Syrphid flies and short-tongued bees. Adult Syrphid flies also prey on aphids, scales & thrips.
|
 Photo by Dan Mullen"milesizz" Flickr.com 04-18-17 Cotton-wood trees are in bloom. Poplar trees support 368 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars including those of Viceroy, Red Spotted Purple, and Tiger Swallowtail.
|
 Photo by "uncjohn"Flickr.com 04-15-17 Virginia Bluebells are blooming. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and moths searching for nectar or pollen.
|
 Photo by Andrey ZharkikhFlickr.com 04-15-17 Goose-berry flowers provide an important food source for bees early in the season. Birds and small mammals eat the berries, and caterpillars of Green Comma and Gray Comma butterflies feed on the foliage.
|
 Photo by "mwdar"Flickr.com 04-15-17 Serviceberry is in bloom. Smooth and Downy Service-berries are native to Michigan. The leaves of these trees host several moth and butterfly caterpillars. Birds relish the fruit.
|
 Photo by "klm185"Flickr.com 04-13-17 Cutleaf Toothwort is in bloom. The fragrant flowers attract bees which gather the nectar and pollen. Caterpillars of Mustard White and West Virginia White butterflies feed on the foliage.
|
 Photo by "NHN_2009"Flickr.com 04-13-17 Trout Lilies also known as Dog Tooth Violets are in bloom. Bees, butterflies & skippers visit these delicate wildflowers. The mottled leaves resemble a shimmering trout under water.
|
 Photo by Rob IretonFlickr.com 04-14-17 False Rue Anemone is in bloom. You can tell it apart from Rue Anemone because it always has 5 white petal-like sepals. Rue Anemone has 6-9 white sepals.
|
 Photo by Suzanne Cadwell "scadwell" Flickr.com
04-13-17 Spicebush is in bloom. In addition to the delicate spring flowers, the leaves feed the caterpillars of the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly! Plus the bright red fruits feed migrating songbirds in the fall.
|
 Photo by Kay Schlumpf"Princess Milady" Flickr.com 04-13-17 Violets are in bloom. There are several species of native violets in colors ranging from white and yellow to blue-violet. All are larval food plants for Fritillary butterflies and several moths.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
04-13-17 Twinleaf is in bloom. These fragile flowers drop their petals at the first bit of wind or rain. Their seeds are dispersed by ants.
|
 Photo by "aecole2010" Flickr.com 04-13-17 Spring Beauties are in bloom. These fragrant flowers attract many bees, flies, butterflies & skippers which gather the nectar and pollen.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
04-12-17 Wood Poppies also know as Celandine Poppies are blooming now. They grow well in rich moist woodlands. Bees can get pollen from the flowers. The seeds are distributed by ants.
|
 Photo by "Dave Rooke Photos"Flickr.com 04-12-17 Dutch-man's Breeches are in bloom. The foliage looks nearly identical to Squirrel Corn which blooms a bit later. They attract bees searching for nectar. The seeds are distributed by ants.
|
 Photo by Lisa Brown "Mean and Pinchy" Flickr.com
04-09-17 Bloodroot is in bloom. Each lovely flower lasts only a day or two. They close at night and on cloudy days. Bees, flies and beetles visit them in search of pollen, and their seeds are distributed by ants.
|
 Photo by "Erutuon"Flickr.com 04-09-17 Hepatica is in bloom. These delicate flowers appear before the foliage. They do not contain nectar but small bees and flies will visit for the pollen. Chipmunks eat the seeds.
|
 Photo by Tom Potterfield "tgpotterfield" Flickr.com
04-09-17 Leatherwood is in bloom. A wonderful shrub for shaded moist areas, it blooms very early and provides pollen and nectar when few other flowers are out.
|
 Photo by Marilylle Soveran "withrow" Flickr.com
03-07-17 Hazelnuts are in bloom. The catkins produce pollen and the tiny red female flower is where the nuts will form. American and Beaked Hazelnuts are native to Michigan and support many birds, mammals, & insects.
|
 Photo by Marilylle Soveran "withrow" Flickr.com
03-07-17 American Elm is in bloom. These trees host the caterpillars of Comma & Question Mark butterflies. Dutch Elm disease resistant cultivars include Princeton, Delaware, Valley Forge and New Harmony.
|
 Photo by Liz West"Muffet" Flickr.com 02-23-17 Red and Silver Maples are in bloom. These are some of the earliest trees to flower and bees will gather the pollen even though the trees are largely wind pollinated.
|
 Photo by Kristin "Shoe" Shoemaker Flickr.com
02-23-17 Pussy Willows are just starting to bloom. Willows offer an early pollen source for bees, and their leaves feed many species of butterflies and moths.
|
 Photo by Craig Bruce"ZOOPMON" Flickr.com 12-30-16 Skunk Cabbage is the first native wildflower to bloom in the Spring. The flowers emit a carrion-like odor that attracts flies and gnats for pollination. Caterpillars of the Ruby Tiger Moth feed on the foliage.
|
