Written by: Kelly Beaster This November, ANPE members took a deep dive into one of Minnesota’s most elusive conifers – eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) or Gaagaamich in ojibwe, meaning ‘porcupine tree’. Ethan Perry, botanist and plant ecologist with the MN Department of Natural Resources, shared some unique characteristics of hemlock, including that it superficially canContinue reading “Endangered Hemlock in MN 11.18.2025”
Author Archives: arrowheadnpe
Plant Mounting Workshop & Presentation 10.21.2025
Written by: Ethan Perry On a cold, dark, damp night nine days before Halloween dead bodies were piled up at Hartley Nature Center. No one called the police. Not even detective Benoit Blanc. Instead, those souls who gathered round the bodies each claimed a few of them. Nobody seemed the least disturbed, though some seemedContinue reading “Plant Mounting Workshop & Presentation 10.21.2025”
Aquatic Plants at Kingsbury Bay 09.21.25
Written by Ethan Perry Walking the Waabizheshikana trail in western Duluth as the threat of rain faded, we had a view across the open water of Kingsbury Bay. Patches of manoomin (wild rice, Zizania palustris) ringed the edges. Reed Schwarting, who led our session on aquatic plant identification, explained that only 10 years ago thisContinue reading “Aquatic Plants at Kingsbury Bay 09.21.25”
Plant Relationships at Chambers Grove 8.25.2025
Written by: Kelly Beaster Each of us has our own stories about plants that are special to us or experiences that were shaped by plants. On a warm, calm evening, the ANPE crew gathered along the St. Louis River at Chamber’s Grove to hear about one individual’s personal relationship with plants that shaped her lifeContinue reading “Plant Relationships at Chambers Grove 8.25.2025”
Miller Creek Restoration Hike 7.29.2025
Written by: Kelly Beaster Nestled into the Duluth hillside with Lake Superior College to the east and the Lincoln Park community and St. Louis River Estuary downstream, Miller Creek meanders and cascads over bedrock and gravel. This section of Miller Creek has been stewarded by Glenn Merrick, recently retired biology professor for LSC, since 1999.Continue reading “Miller Creek Restoration Hike 7.29.2025”
Orchid Hike at Boulder Lake Management Area 6.14.25
Writing and photos by: Susan Nygaard On Saturday, June 14, the Orchid Special Interest Group (O-SIG) of the Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers (ANPE) held its first field trip, a hike through various spots within the Boulder Lake Management Area (BLMA) near Island Lake. Though the forecast was initially somewhat foreboding, the weather turned out toContinue reading “Orchid Hike at Boulder Lake Management Area 6.14.25”
Fifth Annual Plant Foray at Hawk Ridge 6.7.25
Written by: Ethan Perry This year’s plant foray, an annual collecting event hosted by ANPE, had a new twist. In addition to providing plant specimens for the UMD Olga Lakela herbarium teaching collection, it also contributed to efforts by the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory to nominate the park for additionalprotection under the Duluth Natural AreasContinue reading “Fifth Annual Plant Foray at Hawk Ridge 6.7.25”
Vallisneria americana
Wild Celery, American Eelgrass, Tapegrass Paddle through the waters of MN and WI lakes and streams and you will likely spy Vallisneria americana. Its ribbon-like leaves and curious spiraling reproductive stalk are sure to draw your attention. Its green to reddish leaves grow within a basal cluster, fully underwater or are sometimes floating or flowing.Continue reading “Vallisneria americana”
Jay Cooke Spring Ephemerals Hike 5.18.2025
Written by: Maggie Ross On May 18th, thirty nature enthusiasts gathered for a delightful day on the fifth annual Spring Ephemerals Hike at Jay Cooke. The goal? To explore, learn, and appreciate the beauty of spring ephemerals and other wildflowers blooming along the park’s scenic trails. Though the afternoon started off a bit chilly, itContinue reading “Jay Cooke Spring Ephemerals Hike 5.18.2025”
Goodyera pubescens
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid One of three rattlesnake plantain orchids found in Minnesota, the downy rattlesnake plantain orchid is primarily found in the “big woods” or north central part of Minnesota that is known for its mesic hardwoods, with forests of sugar maple, red oak, yellow birch and basswood. Another indicator of appropriate habitat forContinue reading “Goodyera pubescens”
Arrowhead Native Plant Explorers 