September 12, 2011 A School Wetland

Bethany Christian Schools Wetland

Several years ago Bethany Christian Schools biology teacher Amy Thut and students planted a wetland at the school on SR 15 south of Goshen.  Since the original planting, other native and exotic plants have populated the site on their own. Today Ms. Thut was out educating her ninth grade environmental science students on the many species of plants growing there, faithfully doing what the sign above proclaims.  Below are some of the plants they saw in flower.  [Click on photos to enlarge.]

Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale

Cardninal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis

Water Smartweed, Polygonum punctatum

New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae

Tall Boneset,  Eupatorium altissimum

Blue Mistflower, Eupatorium coelestinum

Buckeye Butterfly on Blue Mistflower

The USDA Plant Database distribution map only lists Blue Mistflower for counties in Indiana's southern half; it has not been reported to the USDA for Elkhart County.  This is the first time I have ever seen it.  Ms. Thut said she did not plant it; the flower just showed up on its own in the last year or two --- the Mistflower is also a Mysteryflower!