Category Archives: Aquatic & Marsh Plants

This is Spiny Cap

Posted on May 24, 2019 by parkpathwalker

A prickly plethora of large Yellow thistle (Cirsium horridium) lined some of the boardwalk paths over the marshy sections at Cape May Point State Park.

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Glacial growth rings

Posted on January 31, 2019 by parkpathwalker

Franklin Lake had a thin glaze, although a few parts remained liquidly supple. Here and there, small petals of ice blossomed along reedy stems.

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Frosted phragmites — they’re Grrrreat!

Posted on January 8, 2017 by parkpathwalker

Bowing a bit under their icy coverings, these marsh reeds (probably Phragmites australis) withstood their first real winter storm.

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Aquatic pick-me-up

Posted on August 27, 2014 by parkpathwalker

Flanked by their large, lily-like leaves, pointy purple clusters of Pickerelweed (perhaps Pontederia cordata) are flowering along the water’s edge at Franklin Lake Park in West Long Branch.

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Chlorophyll to the brim

Posted on August 13, 2014 by parkpathwalker

Almost up to his oversized eyeballs in a soupy mix of Common duckweed (Lemna minor) and algae, this frog looked quite comfortable and right at home. (Earlier post about a similar frog.)

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Barbed mire

Posted on June 11, 2014 by parkpathwalker

Growing like spiky caterpillars along a marshy section, these bristly seed heads may belong to Bottlebrush or porcupine sedge (Carex hystericina).

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True baby blues

Posted on June 6, 2014 by parkpathwalker

A lovely field of these incredibly petite flowers — perhaps True or Water forget-me-nots (Myosotis scorpioides) — formed something of a low hedge between the marsh reeds and a paved park path.

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Icy spring bling

Posted on April 16, 2014 by parkpathwalker

An unusual sight for this area, a spring-green skunk cabbage was sprouting near a thin crust of sparkling snow. Sheltered within the shaded base of a tree, this may have been the only frosty patch remaining from last night’s dusting.

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Fat moon falling

Posted on November 27, 2013 by parkpathwalker

Late in the afternoon, a fat white moon was low over some Common reeds (Phragmites australis) and the sparse woods behind them.

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Golden pond gourmand

Posted on September 23, 2013 by parkpathwalker

This American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) may have been getting a drink of water as well, but he seemed mostly interested in eating the algae floating on the surface of the little swamp.

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