The Urban Pantheist

Perennial (everlasting) pea Lathyrus latifolius


A little disclosure is needed here: the intent of this project was to find one 'new' (not on this list) urban species per week in 2010, photograph and post it in a timely manner, so that it would be timely and seasonally relevant. First, I knew I would be posting a majority of these in the summer, when I would be finding most of the new stuff. Second, my life got unexpectedly busy during this summer, pushing livejournal to the back burner. What's my point? This photograph was taken on June 26th, just barely at the beginning of the summer, technically. Probably it's not blooming in the Boston area any more, but maybe further north or in higher elevations.

The perennial pea is one of several Eurasian legume vines grown for its showy flowers. The sweet pea (L. odoratus, which should not be confused with the edible pea Pisum sativum which confusingly enough provides the food called "sweet peas") is a close relative. Sweet pea is usually an annual, and has fragrant blossoms; perennial pea has odorless blossoms, and develops a taproot and a rhizome which allow the plant to live for many years.

Perennial pea is both cultivated by gardeners for the cluster of beautiful flowers it exhibits, and excoriated by other gardeners for its tendency to overwhelm and kill neighboring plants. Many sources consider it a weed and/or an invasive species. It can be seen along urban roadsides clambering amongst other wildflowers that enjoy open sunlight and infrequent mowing. The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees, and the fruit is dry and toxic to mammals.

Jill took me to meet an expert on invasive plants, who worked for the government of the States of Jersey. To my surprise, most of the invasive management done on the island involves native plants. In the past, livestock grazing kept certain plants from becoming dominant; there used to be a great many small cattle and sheep farms on the island. These days there are fewer, larger farms, and some native plants have no pressure on them any more, and can grow out of control.

The plant pictured above is gorse, a dense and prickly evergreen shrub. A landscape dominated by gorse is impassible.

( stand back, this post gets very very pretty, but it takes a couple dozen photos to get there )

Rock pigeon.



Blackberries (darn it, not ripe yet!)
These were growing just about everywhere we went; it reminded me of finding Himalayan blackberries all over the Pacific Northwest. I guess the climate is very similar.

Mullein Verbascum thaspus

Mullein is a large, unmistakable weed from Eurasia. Its downy leaves, pleasantly soft to the touch, can only be confused with the garden plant lamb's ear. Mullein, however, likes bright sunlight and well-drained soil, meaning that it grows often where nothing else will, or at least nothing quite so tall. Mullein can reach heights of six or eight feet, sprouting from the concrete rubble of a demolished building site, or the oily gravel along the train tracks.



Historically it was a welcomed weed, with a list of medicinal uses as long as the plant is tall. Teas, oils, infusions, and poultices were made, and it was even smoked as a way to soothe the lungs. Improving respiratory health by inhaling hot carbon particles is a mystery to me. The seeds are toxic, and accordingly have their own pharmacological interest. I am not a doctor, herbalist, or drug dealer. If you have further interest in this topic, please consult the experts. I don't know if these people are experts, but they have a lot to say on the subject.

Reportedly the leaves have been used as a kind of insole for tired feet, and the flowers used to make dye. The many compounds found in the plant include some known to irritate skin, so caution is advised to the diy cobbler or stylist.


The leaves are also very photogenic when wet.

Wild garlic aerial bulblets.

Ailanthus saplings (mostly).

Black medick, a weedy legume and close relative of alfalfa.

Common blue violet.

Pilewort, an herb related to buttercup, once used to treat hemorrhoids. (Also called lesser celandine.) Found lots of it blooming in the wet areas of the Bussey Brook Urban Wilds (which seems to be called "Bussey Brook Meadow" now, and is part of the Arboretum.)

( Lots more pics of Bussey Brook )

Cinquefoil.