October 2026

Common or Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is one of the most widespread and common brambles in eastern North America and has escaped cultivation along the west coast from British Columbia to California. It can be recognized by its erect to arching stems covered with stout prickles, palmately compound leaves of 5 toothed leaflets, and racemes […]

For most of the year, witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a rather nondescript understory shrub or small tree in the wetter forested areas of eastern North America. Come Autumn, however, it takes center stage. First, its oval, wavy-margined leaves change color from dull green to bright yellow as the plant removes chlorophyll from its leaves […]