המועדפים של zach_skuby

On a sandstone bluff

Stems trailing and rooting at the tips, not glaucous, 2-3mm diameter, with sparse curved prickles 1-2mm long. Leaflets pubescent mainly along the veins abaxially, not white tomentose, coarsely dentate to lobulate. Primocane leaves mainly trifoliate. Leaves, branches, and inflorescences eglandular. Inflorescences ascendant, 1-3 flowered. Pedicels and petioles spreading to ascending villous

Along a mesic river bluff

This seems to be the hybrid between Q. ellipsoidalis and Q. velutina. Keyed out using Flora of the Chicago Region

The distal scales of the winter buds are densely pubescent, and the proximal scales are sparsely pubescent or at least ciliate. Q. velutina has buds that are densely pubescent throughout. The axils of the vein on the undersides of the leaves are sparsely pubescent. Q. velutina and Q. x vaga, the hybrid of Q. velutina and Q. palustris, are noted as having denser tufts of hairs in the leaf axils. Q. x vaga is also noted as having buds up to 6mm. The buds here look to be longer than that.

If Q. velutina is currently present on the site, or on the North Branch of the Chicago River for that matter, it is very rare and I have yet to find it. In this particular area, Q. ellipsoidalis is present but uncommon, while it can be rather common just a few miles upstream of here. On the lower part of the North Branch, Q. ellipsoidalis tends to be restricted to mesic edges of bluffs on the southern and western banks of the river.

Perhaps Q. velutina was once more abundant, and as its populations waned it became more likely that its pollen would pollinate a separate species. Or perhaps a chance dispersal brought a lone Q. velutina to the area, and it crossed with the only other receptive mates in the areas. Another possible Q. velutina hybrid was also found nearby:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37121610

Along a mesic river bluff

This seems to be the hybrid between Q. rubra and Q. velutina. Keyed out using Flora of the Chicago Region

The distal scales of the winter buds are distinctly pubescent, unlike Q. rubra which has glabrous buds. The buds are also slightly angled. Q. velutina has angular buds that are entirely densely pubescent. I unfortunately neglected to take a good photo, but the second picture does show an abaxial leaf surface, in the background, with obvious tufts of hairs in the axils like in Q. velutina. The acorns caps are turbinate like Q. velutina, but with appressed scales like Q. rubra.

If Q. velutina is currently present on the site, or on the North Branch of the Chicago River for that matter, it is very rare and I have yet to find it. But Q. rubra is of course very abundant.

Perhaps Q. velutina was once more abundant, and as its populations waned it became more likely that its pollen would pollinate a separate species. Or perhaps a chance dispersal brought a lone Q. velutina to the area, and it crossed with the only other receptive mates in the areas. Another possible Q. velutina hybrid was also found nearby:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37121611

Smilax characters, "thumbnail test" showing marginal vein in S auriculata when edge of leaf is pulled away by a thumbnail. See also https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18649238
(Although other Smilax, such as S. bona-nox, may have a vein embedded in the margin, it's much more delicate and usually breaks easily with this test rather than remaining as a string. Try two or three leaves if you're not sure.)

On a moderately steep river bluff of the North Branch of the Chicago River.

The linear stipules distinguish this from other arrowwood viburnums in the Chicago Region. But, aside from that, the dense and short pubescence on both the nerves and the lamina of the underside of the leaves are useful for distinguishing this species from V. recognitum, which is an uncommon but well established adventive species in invasive thickets and areas with a history of disturbance in this area. V. recignitum has leaf hairs that are longer and, on the abaxial surfaces, more restricted to the nerves at this early stage of development. The leaves of V. recognitum are glabrate once fully grown, with hairs mostly restricted to axils of the veins on the leaf undersides.

Nuttall Oak found growing along north side of CR-3. Many additional large specimens are found just west of this location. The species is not typically found in Brazoria County, but specimens are not uncommon within a small area within a couple of miles of this location. Several occurrences are reported here in the attempt to specify its limited range within the county.

Nuttall Oak found growing along the south side of CR-289. Several other specimens were found nearby. The species is not typically found in Brazoria County, but specimens are not uncommon within a small area within a couple of miles of this location. Several occurrences are reported here in the attempt to specify its limited range within the county.

Nuttall Oak (aka Quercus nuttallii) observed at Danza Del Rio mitigation bank near Danciger TX. Many additional specimens are located along a gravel road and roadside swale for about 300 yards leading SSE from this location, as well as in nearby wooded areas. The species is not typically found in Brazoria County, but specimens are not uncommon within a small area within a couple of miles of this location. This specimen has apparently been nominated to the Texas Big Tree Registry, where its dimensions are given as 176" trunk circumference, 59' height and 94' crown spread (Tree Index of 258), although it is not big enough to be state champ.