Mariton: Land of Plenty

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager.  Photos by Carole Mebus.

Carole focused her camera on the abundant berries and fruit during our Tuesday Nature Walk. This year there are abundant “crops” to attract and feed wildlife until next spring. The wild grapes above are ripe now, but will eventually dry up into raisins that will provide food throughout the winter.

Persimmon

The Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) isn’t ripe yet. Foxes, groundhogs, and deer are just a few of the animals I have seen foraging on the fruit when it finally becomes edible.

Blackhaw Viburnum

The Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) berries are still red and won’t be ripe until they turn dark blue-black.

Poison Ivy Berries

The Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) berries are one of the overlooked, but important fruits of winter for everything from  Robins to Downy Woodpeckers.  Along with the colorful fruit, many of these plants have colorful fall foliage.  In the coming weeks, that foliage will get even more brilliant.