Phenology Post

Asimina triloba flowers and leaves.

Photo by Hannah Spivey

We returned to Ruffner Mountain today (04/04) to continue collecting plants and check our phenology species.  Our Asimina triloba, pawpaw, tree had first leaves out (which is indicated by the leaves unfolded on at least three branches) and almost first flower.  The flowers were not opened up enough to see stamens, but we expect they will be by next week.  The two pictures below show the pawpaw tree we are tracking.

Asimina triloba flower beginning to open up.
Photo by Hannah Spivey

The Quercus alba tree we have been tracking is hard to see, but we think that it is at bud burst.  The branches are way up in the tree, and it's hard to see the buds for our vantage point.  The tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera seems not to have changed since our last visit.  The flowers nor leaves have fully unfolded yet.  Our last tree, Cornus florida, showed a big change since our last visit.  Last time we did not see bud burst, at all, but this time we see all the leaves unfolded on the dogwood tree we are following.  This shows you how quick things can change with plants.