We ran into a couple of things on the hike.
I've seen this berry several times at this time of year but I have yet to identify it. The bush is a couple of feet high and the berries grow directly off the stem. Anybody know?
And then there was this nice gift from someone who took down the cable and rode their ATV past the signs. I guess it is too much to ask them to buy a backpack to carry their child with them into the woods, and even more trouble to ask them to carry out their trash and their dirty diapers. This was lying right in the middle of the trail.
I've seen this berry several times at this time of year but I have yet to identify it. The bush is a couple of feet high and the berries grow directly off the stem. Anybody know?
And then there was this nice gift from someone who took down the cable and rode their ATV past the signs. I guess it is too much to ask them to buy a backpack to carry their child with them into the woods, and even more trouble to ask them to carry out their trash and their dirty diapers. This was lying right in the middle of the trail.
Trash in the woods, leaves trash in the woods. It's never going to change, all you can do is pick it up if you don't want to look at it.
ReplyDeleteI have been picking up other peoples trash most 30 years of my life while walking in the woods or on the roads. It sucks! But it won't change. A little 20 min hike up to a fire tower had me upset, so I started collecting trash on the way down and threw it on the back cubby floor of my old bug every time I took the hike. I'd have a bottle or can on every finger and some held to my chest. After about the 10th or so time down I had all I could see so I started walking about 5 ft just off the trail to each side. Then 10 ft off the trail. After 2 or 3 months I felt pretty proud that I had cleaned up Blue Job Mountain and kept it clean for months. Do you really think the trash ever stopped being thrown?
perhaps one of the many species of viburnum? they have opposite leaves and red berries. dont' know about coming directly off the stem which makes me think of certain species of ilex (yaupon) or beauty berry (genus?).
ReplyDeletethe spore left behind appears to be that of homo absolutelydontgiveadamn since the diaper is disposable and self-sticking as opposed to a cloth diaper which is often associated with earlier species.
Good work, bb Luke. I appreciate your efforts even if the folks you are picking up after don't.
ReplyDeleteBeauty berry...Hmmm...To the books!
It's certainly suggestive of beautyberry, but for having single seeds instead of clusters. It also suggests spicebush, though the leaves are wrong for common spicebush.
ReplyDeleteRikki has put me on to a spicebush variant.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Spicebush.html
The berries aren't quite right and the leaves aren't quite right, but so far, this looks the closest to it I've seen.