Over the past several weeks the New England CLM interns have been focusing on salt marshes and the species that grow there, especially the ubiquitous Spartina alterniflora, S. patens, J. gerardii, and Distichlis spicata.  However, at our latitude the phenology schedule lags a bit behind those of our colleagues further south, so it wasn’t until July 14th that we made our first collection; at Scarborough Marsh in southern Maine, we collected some seeds and vouchers of saltmarsh arrowgrass, Triglochin maritima, family Juncaginaceae, which bears six seeds per pod along a stalk bearing 35-80 pods.

Saltmarsh arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima), Scarborough Marsh, ME

We are planning to continue our reconnaissance and collection over the coming weeks and months as more species start bearing ripe fruits; the Juncus is nearly ripe and we hope to start collecting that within the next few weeks!

CLM has been so rewarding in offering an opportunity to identify and learn about not only plants, but also insects and birds as well, which frequently accompany us on our excursions.  Here are a few snapshots:

Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Great Marsh NWR, NH

Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus), Scarborough Marsh, ME