What is it Wednesday: November 4, 2020

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

November 4, 2020. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

 

 

 This is a wildflower called tansy. 

It is a non-native import from Europe, and does have invasive tendencies, but also has many positive impacts and uses. Honeybees are attracted to it, but many other insects are repelled by it, making it a helpful companion plant for pest control in gardens. (Just be aware that once you have it you will most likely never fully get rid of it!) Although it contains toxic compounds, historically it has been used as a remedy for intestinal worms and other ailments, as a sage-like flavoring, placed throughout homes and near stored food to keep insects and worms away, and even in pre-embalming burial practices. The bright yellow flowers have a strong sweet camphor-like smell.

This picture was taken in early November -- tansy is still currently blooming and growing, even after several frosts. It is not an evergreen but a cold-hardy perennial. The flower stalks and leaves will die back later in the fall and early winter, then regrow from the same root system next year. Although most trees have dropped their leaves, there are some plants still green and growing. Look around – what is still green and growing near you? Is it an evergreen or something that will die down in the next month or two?

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!