NYBG EcoFlora Update, 13 May 2019
May is MUST FIND MUSTARDS month.
Since 1819, fifty-eight species of Mustard have been found growing wild in New York City. Most are introduced species from Europe and some like Garlic Mustard are highly invasive. Sixteen species are indigenous to the City and many are rare or have not been seen in the City for 30, 50 or 100 years. Learn to recognize Mustard plants and document them in your neighborhood. See the guide to Mustards of New York City here.
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Some reflections so far from Manhattan:
Lepidium densiflorum
I found a few plants along the Hudson River Greenway that I have identified as Lepidium densiflorum: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24421816. This species has not been widely reported in NYC.
@elevine had found similar plants about a mile south a couple of weeks earlier (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24421816), and I think they're the same species. I wonder if this species is rare in NYC or just under-reported given its modest looks and habit?
Bittercress (Cardamine spp.) succession
Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) started blooming in early March from overwintering rosettes, and all the plants I've seen this month have been essentially finished blooming and are setting seed -- e.g.: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25001206 or this one, growing in between the steps of of the American Museum of Natural History: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24359188.
By contrast, C. occulta plants, which apparently do not tend to form rosettes, have sprouted and started blooming much more recently, often in fallow window boxes and elevated planters. They seem to be in full flower now. Example: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/24795489
Flixweed (Descurainia sophia) (re)discovery
In April, @susanhewitt discovered this species along the East River. About a week later, I also discovered a large individual growing along the Hudson River during the City Nature Challenge. I was unaware of Susan's discovery at the time but we quickly connected the dots.
The initial plant I found was cut down when the fence protecting it was removed, but I subsequently found several other plants nearby. I have not, however, yet found the species growing to the north or the south along the river from that fairly confined spot.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&subview=grid&taxon_id=58074&user_id=djringer&verifiable=any
Great notes, David.
Can someone tell me what are the most important shots to take when you find a mustard plant (in flower) that you don't recognize?
You need the flower, showing the petals ideally the size of them in relation to the green sepals. You need the fruit if it is available, and ideally a scale if the fruit is long. If the fruit is mostly circular (rather than long) you need to show whether the tip is notched and a shot that shows if the fruit is flat/winged/plump. (so a shot of the face of the fruit and a someone oblique or side-on view). You need the stem leaves if present, especially how they attach to the stem. You need the basal leaves if present, even if mostly dried up. You need the texture of the upper stem (can do that with the stem leaves) and the texture of the lower stem (even if you have no basal leaves). Looking for hair underneath stem and basal leaves may also be helpful (though I can't think of a specific case where it's needed).
The size of a flower in relation to a finger could also be helpful in some mustards.
So, clear shot in your hand of flowers and fruit, with at least one fruit face-on, second shot of stem leaves with stem texture and third shot base of plant with stem and basal leaves.
Thanks Sara! I will try to remember those points.
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