Spooky Plants Scavenger Hunt
It’s the season for spook-acular and scary occurrences in nature. After all, Halloween night will have a blue full moon, a rare second full moon in a month. As the leaves fall and temperatures chill, let’s celebrate some of the park’s mysterious and mystifying trees, wonderful and weird plants!
See if you can spot these spooky plants on your next stroll. Click here for a map.
Purple Fountain Beech, Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'
What’s that ominous shape in the distance? This deciduous tree’s strange silhouette and pointy top look more witch than plant. Combined with dark purple leaves and a weeping posture, the purple fountain beech could be something from your nightmares.
Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Have you heard of the mysterious vanishing act of the dawn redwood? Scientists thought the tree was extinct, only knowing of its ancient fossils. In 1941 near the small town of Modaoqi, China, the tree reappeared to shock botanists around the world. A true botanical discovery, the dawn redwood rose from the dead.
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana
Known for its magical and medicinal properties, witch hazel has a golden-star flower that blooms in cold weather. In folklore, the plant was thought to ward off evil or heal a broken heart.
Northern Catalpa, Catalpa speciosa
Everyone’s favorite elderly catalpa has become popular for its gnarly branches and hollowed center. As one of the oldest trees in the park, perhaps it is full of otherworldly wisdom. What lives in the center—elves, goblins, fairies, or just squirrels?
Looking for plants more wholesome, less wicked? Try a traditional fall foliage tree walk. You’ll see fabulous shades of crimson, copper, and violet. From red maples to black gums, these trees are more welcoming than warning.