Pack Rat (Neotoma cinerea)

The Pack Rat, also known as the Busy-Tailed Woodrat, builds nests out of twigs and branches outside of small caves and holes called “middens.” These nests are used, not only as a home, but for protection from predators. You can see a Pack Rat nest in front of this post. It may look like a bundle of sticks up against a log.

Mulberry Tree (Morus alba)

Native to China, the mulberry tree was introduced into the Americas for silk worm culture. Mulberry leaves are the sole source of food for silk worms. The white mulberry was hybridized with red mulberry trees into the American version found from the East coast to Kansas. In China, the mulberry tree was considered the tree of life. The tallest Mullberry tree in Kansas stands 71ft tall! It is located in Stafford.

Honeylocust

(Gleditsia triacanthos)

Native to North America, the honeylocust is utilized by farmers for windbreaks and provides some food for animals through its fruits. CAUTION: THIS TREE HAS LARGE THORNS! The largest one recorded in Kansas stands 60ft tall with a canopy spread of 40ft. Within this tree you will find Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia), a member of the grape family, this fruit grows in many wooden areas and provides food for several animals.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT!

There are many plants, including flowers, that only blossom seasonally and may not be found during certain times of the year. Because of that, we cannot put posts at every spot a flower had previously grown. In the past, we have had:

• Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)

SMALL WHITE FLOWERS—This plant can be toxic to cattle when ingested causing “trembles.” The toxicity is passed through milk and when ingested by humans causes “milk sickness.”

• CatClaw (Mimosa quadrivalvis)

SPINEY LEAVES WITH BALL-SHAPED PINK FLOWERS DOTTED WITH YELLOW POLLEN– When touched, the leaves of this plant close. Catclaw seeds have been used as a laxative.

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea agustifolia)

TALL STALKS WITH DARK, PRICKLEY CONE SURROUNDED BY SPREADING PURPLE PETALS