Jul. 3rd, 2006

urbpan: (Boston)
Okay, so spring has been officially over for a couple weeks now. I catalogued the species from the beginning of the year to March 20th here. From March 21 to July 2nd, here's the breakdown:

Plants: 50
Slime Molds: 1
Fungi: 7
Annelids: 1
Mollusks: 2
Arthropods: 14
Fishes: 2
Amphibians: 1
Reptiles: 4
Birds: 16
Mammals: 6


This represents a big increase in plants covered (makes sense, in spring), a decrease in birds (the migration is over), and an increase in all other animals (more activity in spring). The decrease in fungi is interesting, and it's nice to see new animal taxa (and one new Kingdom) added to the list.

This coming week will be Beach Week! Transitioning in later this evening (with a species found in urban streets as well as urban beaches) and continuing with species observed on our Urban Nature Walk to Castle Island in South Boston. Cheaters can preview the photos and make guesses here: http://cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com/526095.html

During spring it was much easier to find species to photograph and write about. I actually feel a little bad that some of my favorite plants are going to be skipped, because more interesting animals and fungi are going to displace them (in the project) this summer. Sorry if I skip your favorite--but you can suggest one I've missed, or might miss, if you want. I'm a people pleaser--tell me what you want to see and I'll try to do it.
urbpan: (dandelion)

Photos by [livejournal.com profile] cottonmanifesto. Location: corner of Jamaicaway and Brookline Ave, Boston.

Urban species #184: Chicory Cichorium intybus

Sometimes solitary, sometimes in dazzling groups, chicory blossoms resemble blue dandelions. I don't wish to play favorites, but chicory is without a doubt my favorite urban wildflower. The color is hard to capture in a photograph, and hard even to describe. The light blue is luminous, with a touch of violet. It's pale but rich, turning traffic islands and vacant lots into unplanned gardens. Each plant may have several blossoms, but each blossom is short-lived. A picked chicory flower withers in minutes. On the plant, the blossoms open early in the morning and close between midday and early afternoon.

Chicory is an exceedingly common weed in the Northeast and elsewhere, and yet many people are surprised to learn that it grows wild in the city. Chicory has been cultivated in Europe for centuries, for a wide variety of uses. The foliage is used for salad greens and the root is used as a vegetable. The roots can be stored over winter and new greens grown from them for winter salad. In North America, chicory is most well known as an additive to, or substitute for, coffee. The root is roasted and ground to be used as a hot drink, which, though lacking caffeine, tastes similar to coffee. During wartime shortages, chicory was used to extend coffee supplies.



ExpandBut will it grow on the beach? )

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