Beech drops

Beech drops (Epifagus virginiana), a parasitic plant on the roots of beech trees.  Common here at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, near a mature grove of Eastern White Pine (Pinus serotina) planted near the entrance to the State Forest, Morgan County.  Photo taken November 19, 2014.

Link to Epifagus virginiana:

Link to Epifagus virginiana:

Fruits on a hackberry tree

This hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis) is full of fruit. Hackberry is a very common tree but I have found that trees that produce this much fruit are uncommon. The fruit has only a thin layer of pulp that tastes remarkably like a date. I found this and several other fruited hackberry trees along North Tibbs Ave. just north of Washington St. in Indianapolis. Photo taken November 16, 2014.

Link to Celtis occidentalis:

Link to YouTube video on edible hackberry fruits:

Link to article on edible hackberry fruit:

Verbesina encelioides

Verbesina encelioides.  This was found growing wild under a railroad trestle at 4th St. just north of Gratiot St. in downtown St. Louis, Missouri.  This is the first time I've ever seen this species, it looks much different than our native Verbesina that is common in Indiana, Verbesina alterniflora, also called wingstem.

Photo taken Oct. 26, 2014.  Location 38.6191 deg. N, 90.1917 deg. W.

Link to Verbesina encelioides:

Link to a collection of Verbesina encelioides in St. Louis:

Link to Verbesina encelioides:

Link to Verbesina encelioides: