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A Walk in Fern Bluff Park Page 6: White Raceme, Astragalus, and Corn Salad Archives of previous walks in the park: 12 May 2007, 05 May 2007; 28 April 2007, 21 April 2007, 14 April 2007, 1 April 2007 Easter Egg Hunt; 24 March 2007, 17 March 2007; Nov. 03, 2001; April 04, 2001; March 25, 15, 10-11, 04, 2001; February 24, 18, 10, 2001 |
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The white flower at right, which has been our mystery flower for the past two weeks, has finally been identified, now that the cyme-like flower head has nearly reached full bloom. It is Valerianella amarella, commonly known as Corn Salad. Archives of previous walks in the park: 12 May 2007, 05 May 2007; 28 April 2007, 21 April 2007, 14 April 2007, 1 April 2007 Easter Egg Hunt; 24 March 2007, 17 March 2007; Nov. 03, 2001; April 04, 2001; March 25, 15, 10-11, 04, 2001; February 24, 18, 10, 2001
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In the western sector
of the park, bordering on the ravine or draw that extends along the park's
western edge, are found a number of relatively tiny plants with pinnately
compound leaves and pea-like blue flowers (shown below). These are members
of the Pea Family (Leguminosae), but are nothing like the common
garden pea. If the leaves were tipped with tendrils (these are not;
instead they have a terminal leaflet where the tendrils would normally be
found) they would probably be members of the genus Vicia, and good
for cattle forage. Again, if the flowers were on a long spike of 20-75 to
each spike (these are not, having but 1-4 flowers showing at a
time), they might be members of the genus Hedysarum, equally good
for cattle forage. That seems to leave a group of plants of the genus Astragalus,
which are quite poisonous.
Fortunately, they are also quite small, and so inconspicuous as to be
practically unnoticeable. As the seed pods develop, we will be able to
determine their identity more precisely.
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