ecological inventory for “icing on a burnt cake”

Montague, Mi. — September 2023

Below is the list of plants and critters found by the Youth Group of Ferry Memorial Church in Montague, Mi. These findings will help to make ethical and ecological choices in how to redeem this small piece of land.

These findings were taken on the evening of September 24th, 2023 between 5pm-7pm

Plants

  • Autumn Olive

    Elaeagnus umbellata

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Bermuda Grass

    Cynodon dactylon

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Bittersweet Nightshade

    Solanum dulcamara

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Black Cherry

    Prunus serotina

    Michigan Native

  • Bradford Pear

    Pyrus calleryana

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Broadleaf Cattail

    Typha latifolia

    Michigan Native

  • Bull Thistle

    Cirsium vulgare

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Chicory

    Cichorium intybus

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Common Milkweed

    Asclepias syriaca

    Michigan Native

  • Common Ninebark

    Physocarpus opulifolius

    Michigan Native

  • Creeping Thistle

    Cirsium arvense

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Eastern Redbud

    Cercis canadensis

    Michigan Native

  • Giant Goldenrod

    Solidago gigantea

    Michigan Native

  • Giant Sequoia

    Sequoiadendron giganteum

    Not Native to Michigan

    experimental planting related to climate change concern

  • Grass-leaved goldenrod

    Euthamia graminifolia

    Michigan Native

  • Mugwort

    Artemisia vulgaris

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Norway Maple

    Acer platanoides

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Poison Hemlock

    Conium maculatum

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Pussy Willow

    Salix discolor

    Michigan Native

  • Red Raspberry

    Rubus idaeus

    Not Native to Michigan

  • River Birch

    Betula nigra

    Michigan Native

  • Riverbank Grape

    Vitis riparia

    Michigan Native

  • St. John's Wort

    Hypericum perforatum

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Swamp Rose Mallow

    Hibiscus moscheutos

    Michigan Native

  • Tall Goldenrod

    Solidago altissima

    Michigan Native

  • Virginia Creeper

    Parthenocissus quinquefolia

    Michigan Native

  • White-Panicle Aster

    Symphyotrichum lanceolatum

    Michigan Native

  • Wild Carrot

    Daucus carota

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Yarrow

    Achillea millefolium

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Yellow Toadflax

    Linaria vulgaris

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

Critters

  • Argentine Ant

    Linepithema humile

    Not Native to Michigan

    Invasive Species

  • Buzzer Midge

    Chironomus plumosus

    Native to Michigan

  • Clear-winged Grasshopper

    Camnula pellucidia

    Michigan Native

  • Common Pill Bug

    Armadillidiidae

    Michigan Native

    (it’s in the picture somewhere!)

  • European Mantis (aka praying mantis)

    Mantis religiosa

    Michigan Native

  • Goldenrod Gall Fly

    Eurosta solidaginis

    Michigan Native

  • Green-striped Grasshopper

    Chortophaga viridifasciata

    Michigan Native

  • Red-legged Grasshopper

    Melanoplus femurrubrum

    Michigan Native

  • Spotted Mediterranean Cockroach

    Ectobius pallidus

    Not Native to Michigan

  • Striped Ground Cricket

    Allonemobius fasciatus

    Michigan Native

  • Northern Cardinal

    Cardinalis cardinalis

    Michigan Native

    *Identified by sound

  • Red-breasted Nuthatch

    Sitta canadensis

    Michigan Native

    *Identified by sound

  • Animal Scat

    a variety of scat was found in various shapes and sizes. Herbivore, carnivore, and omnivores assumed. Deer and rabbit identified by scat, possible others include coyote, skunk, dog.