Over the weekend the Phactors attended the annual gathering of our state's native plant society along with about 50 other like-minded souls. The field trip trek we selected took us just across the border into Gary Indiana where we sought native plants in the shadows of post-apocalyptic industrial ruins. Places bounded by railroad yards, interstate highways, and crumbling remains of heavy industry. You would not think this a likely place for finding uncommon native plants, but you would be wrong. Here and there tucked away are a few leftovers of the Pleistocene, bits of sandy ridges and watery swales left behind by the receding of Lake Michigan. The primary problem with small places is controlling invasive plants and protecting what is left from undue human intrusions. As a result these places are not labelled, not improved for visitation, and generally hard to find. Fortunately we had excellent guides familiar with these sites. TPP was professionally interested to see lots of Castilleja growing among Pedicularis canadensis, both are hemiparasites, but they do not grow similarly and do not seem to have the same impact on the surrounding plant community. Unfortunately these places are well outside our travel range to be used as research sites. At some times it was difficult to walk without stepping on yellow ladyslipper orchids that were almost done flowering only to have showy ladyslippers flower in their stead. Beautiful to see with the background noise of trains and interstate traffic. The very unexpected diversity of these sites and their general boggy, mosquito-haven nature, only crazy botanists would go there vibe helps keep things safe. The image is a late flowering yellow lady slipper, Cypripedium pubescens.
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