Racemes of little white flowers cover the trees in the spring, followed by tiny but delicious black cherries. Similar to the Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana), but with narrower, glossier leaves; and the Black Cherry grows into a large tree with ragged bark, whereas the Choke Cherry seldom exceeds a large shrub and has smooth bark. This tree was growing in Bird Park, Mount Lebanon.
For a description of the species, see the Prunus serotina reference page.
The common buttercup that invades our lawns and delights children. These were growing in Beechview.
For a description of the species, see the Ranunculus repens reference page (and try saying “Ranunculus repens reference” three times fast).
Little daisy-like flowers with raggedy heads of countless white or pink rays. It’s a common weed in lawns and along sidewalks in the city. The pink-blushed forms are especially decorative. The flowers above were blooming in Highland Park, the rest in Beechview.
For a description of the species, see the Erigeron philadelphicus reference page.
Very similar to Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii), but not hairy, which makes an easy distinction between the two species. These plants were growing in Bird Park, Mount Lebanon.
An uncommon plant around here (its sister the Virginia Waterleaf is much less rare), this plant is distinguished from other members of its little family by its sycamore-like leaves and its lavender-blue flowers. We come back to this patch on a wooded slope in Beechview every year, and so far it has not disappointed us.
For a description of the species, see the Hydrophyllum appendiculatum reference page.
