Veterans . . .
Butter & Eggs after rain on Veterans Day, 2015.
Wildflowers, those exposed to so much stress in urban environments, may be presumed to have wrapped up blooming activity by November. Not so along the western edge of Manhattan. Cool wet days under breezy white sky have in succession invigorated lawns and edges alike on the island of Manhattan. The lush green beds support a casserole of multicolored leaves.
The gold of the Ginkgo and Weeping Willow complement the burnt orange of the Sugar Maple, the evergreen and yellow variations of the Norway Maple. The flutter of the individual Black Locust, tiny in comparison to that of the London Plane Tree and Black Oak, dry leaves when stiff the size of a desert plate.
My favorites of the blooming foliage include the fiery tones of the American Sumac, the intricate stylish spades of the living fossil, the Tulip Tree, and the full spectrum splendor of the Liquid Amber, the Sweetgum.
Standing, blooming in their way on the trunks of such trees, one can find lichen in full vigor:
Mushrooms like the Amanita reside in the leaf litter:
Wildflowers, the second wind of sorts, numerous veterans, though perhaps plain or small or scattered, bloom now in great variety and number. Goldenrod, Galinsoga, Lady’s Thumb, and the Dandelion all still flower here and there. Others encountered during a run in the park may include:
Chicory, Chicorium intybus
Mallow, Marva parviflora
Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris
Nightshade, Solanum
Peppergrass, Lepidium
White Snakeroot, Agaratina altissima
November Rain, a fine song title, and a pillar source of life for a strong stand of West Village wildflower veterans.
– rPs 11 11 2015
Wildflowers of the West Village 