New York Flora Association Blog

Here is a recent photo by photographer John Heidecker of bird’s-foot violet (Viola pedata) on a roadside on Long Island. A sight like this is becoming more rare on the island and the NY Natural Heritage Program will be putting this violet on their watch list and gathering more information about its status in the state. Heritage botanist Steve Young would appreciate any information about its current locations in the state. If you know of any locations please contact Steve at young@nynhp.org. You can view more beautiful flower photos at John’s Website.

Bird's-foot Violet on Long Island

Closeup of the flowers.

From the Long Island Botanical Society:

Corydalis sempervirens, pink corydalis (Fumariaceae, the Fumitory Family; formerly included in the Papaveraceae, the Poppy Family). This delicate, showy spring wildflower is very rare on Long Island; the LIBS draft atlas of vascular plants records it from only one unspecified locality in Suffolk County. On 30 May 2009, George Dadone found a naturally occurring population of pink corydalis at the former Pilgrim State Hospital property in Edgewood. Rich Kelly, Donald House, and Paul and Mary Beth Tomko accompanied George.
Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica, wild pink (Caryophyllaceae, the Pink Family). Rich Kelly, Donald House, et al. observed a small population of this state-listed, rare plant at the former Pilgrim State Hospital property in Edgewood on 30 May 2009. Steve Young of NYNHP has been closely monitoring this species in New York and has reported a decline in occurrences possibly due to browsing by herbivores.

Euphorbia ipecacuanhae, ipecac spurge (Euphorbiaceae, the Spurge Family). This species is at its northern range limit on Long Island; in New York, it is known only from Suffolk County where it usually occurs in extremely nutrient poor, well drained, dry sandy soils. Usually, occurrences on L.I. consist of very few individuals (fewer than a dozen widely scattered individuals). On 30 May 2009, Rich Kelly, Donald House, et al. observed three widely scattered individuals of ipecac spurge at the former Pilgrim State Hospital property in Edgewood.

Ipecac plant at Edgewood. Photo: Steve Young

Viola pedata, bird’s foot violet (Violaceae, the Violet Family). On 31 May 2009, John Heidecker observed a large colony of bird’s foot violet in full flower growing in sandy soil along Grumman Blvd. in Calverton, a short distance from the Swan Lake Golf Course. Thirty years ago, this showy violet was relatively common throughout regions of Long Island, but today it is rarely observed. The decline of this species on L.I. is mostly attributed to habitat destruction, road expansion and maintenance projects, and chemical herbicides applied along the borders of railroad tracks.

Viola pedata at Edgewood. Photo: Steve Young

From Steve Young: I was down along the Mohawk Bike Trail in Niskayuna, Sche. Co. this afternoon and saw a many white flowers of the pale impatiens, then I saw them with extra lobes on the petals. I had never noticed them before. Photos below.

From Steve Daniel in Rochester: These were seen Thursday at WhiteBrook wetlands, part of the Crescent Trail, Town of Perinton, Monroe County.

From Patrick Raney, SUNY ESF: