MAY IS FOR MAYAPPLE

May 1–31
Mayapple Observations: 541
Observers (31): @elizajsyh, 201; @nycnatureobserver, 58; @heathdog, 56; @plnthunter22, 53; @spritelink, 43.
Boroughs: Manhattan, 385; Bronx, 145; Staten Island, 7; Brooklyn, 4.

It may not be May, but we may still find Mayapple in Queens!

The Mayapple field trip at NYBG was very interesting. Participants collected data on leaf phenology and fruit set. From two distinct populations, we found that 95 percent of one-leaf stems produced no fruit and 95 percent of two-leaf stems did produce fruit. The data suggest that single stems rarely produce fruit and that double stems almost always do. Mayapples are mostly self-incompatible, but self-compatibility is known (Crants, 2008). Perhaps both populations consist of self-compatible clones. We will watch the fruit as they ripen to test seed set.

Join us Saturday, June 2, 10:00 am–-12:00 noon at Inwood Hill park to LOOK FOR LAUREL (Spicebush and Sassafras) and the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly. RSVP HERE.

Sign up here to receive email alerts of future EcoQuests.

You can now find current EcoQuest stats on the LOOK FOR LAUREL project page.
For more information on the Spicebush, Sassafras and the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly see the More Information link.

Join us Saturday, June 23rd at Forest Park for another EcoFlora field trip. We will mostly look for Laurels and Butterflies. And we'll also keep one eye out for the elusive Mayapple and anything else of interest to the group.
Space is limited to the first 18 to register. RSVP here.

Please visit the LOOK FOR LAUREL project page to learn more about Spicebush, Sassafras and the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly in New York City. The Butterflies are actually quite common—even in the City. Once you find the Spicebush or Sassafras, look for a leaf section chewed from the margin and folded over on itself. Study these observations for more clues….

Here are some upcoming NYC EcoFlora events you may be interested in:

Friday, June 22
New Yorkers interested in natural history, botany, science, culture and even politics will want to hear Victoria Johnson discuss her new book, American Eden, a biography of David Hosack, a nineteenth century physician, botanist, entrepreneur and patriot. Meticulously researched and cinematic, Johnson paints a portrait of life in the early Republic and the ambitions of one man who dreamed of cataloging the natural history of the western hemisphere and discovering its many virtues for the benefit of humanity. Along the way we meet Hosack's patients, students, friends, patrons and enemies, including Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Alexander Humboldt, Thomas Jefferson, Dewitt Clinton and many others. RSVP here.

Saturday, June 23
Join fellow naturalists on a quest to find the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly in Forest Park, Queens. We will search the eastern, forested section, one of the largest remnant oak woodlands in Queens and an important refuge for the Florida Dogwood, Sassafras and Spicebush. There are a few spots left. RSVP here.

Saturday, July 14
We will explore the urban wilds of Newtown Creek documenting as many Ailanthus trees as possible. The Tree of Heaven is a host for the highly destructive Spotted Lantern Fly (Lycorma delicatula) a pest not yet found in New York. Our hosts, the Newtown Creek Alliance will give a brief history of the site and share their work to bring the creek back to life. RSVP here.

Friday, August 3
On August 3, 2018, The New York Botanical Garden will hold the 1st Annual New York City EcoFlora Conference. This event will be an update on the progress of the first year of NYC EcoFlora Project, and a celebration of the many citizen scientists who have made original observations of Nature in New York City. RSVP here.

Over 2,000 Spicebush and Sassafras were observed during the LOOK FOR LAUREL EcoQuest and the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly was observed over 31 times. Congratulations to the top five observers @nycnatureobserver (790), @spritelink (778), @elizajsyh (202), @plnthunter22 (184) and @ansel_oommen (76)!

The July EcoQuest is TRACKING TREE OF HEAVEN.

Here are some upcoming NYC EcoFlora events you may be interested in:

Saturday, July 14
We will explore the urban wilds of Newtown Creek documenting as many Ailanthus trees as possible. The Tree of Heaven is a host for the highly destructive Spotted Lantern Fly (Lycorma delicatula) a pest not yet found in New York. Our hosts, the Newtown Creek Alliance will give a brief history of the site and share their work to bring the creek back to life. RSVP here.

Friday, August 3
On August 3, 2018, The New York Botanical Garden will hold the First Annual New York City EcoFlora Conference. This event will be an update on the progress of the first year of NYC EcoFlora Project, and a celebration of the many citizen scientists who have made original observations of Nature in New York City. RSVP here.