Parting Shots from the Willoughby Bog

A pretty scene from the bog.

American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

From the USDA Plants Database:

Uses Ethnobotanic: A tea was made from the leaves and used in the treatment of diarrhea and as an aid in childbirth (Moerman 1998). The tea has also been known to relieve painful menstrual cramps (Ibid.). Externally, the leaves and roots are used as a gargle to treat tonsillitis and mouth inflammations, sores, minor wounds, burns and varicose ulcers (Brown 1995). Europeans in the 17th century regarded the raspberries as an antispasmodic and they made a syrup of the juice which they employed to prevent vomiting (Readers Digest 1990). In the 18th century physicians and herbalists deemed the berries useful as a remedy for heart disease (Ibid). Red raspberries are eaten fresh or in jams and jellies, or added to pies and other baked goods, candies and dairy products to add flavor. Purple to dull blue dye was obtained from the fruit.

Wildlife: American red raspberry provides food and cover for many wildlife species. Grouse, birds, raccoons, coyotes, squirrels, skunks, and chipmunks eat the fruits. Raspberry thickets provide shelter for rabbits and squirrels and service as a nesting spot for many birds.

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium augustifolium)

This is one of the only three native fruits of North America (the others are the cranberry and Concord grapes).

The Willoughby Bog is part of the land managed by the Nature Conservancy, which manages thousands of acres in Vermont.

I hiked the Willoughby Bog twice on two consecutive days and have gained a lot of photographs of plants that I have not photographed before. I have posted about what we saw many times now on both blogs. I still have not blogged about the pitcher plants on the blog. That will be a Photo A Day post in the next couple of days. I want to return next season and find the rest of the plants that are known to grow there that I missed this year. I want to get the False Solomon's Seal in bloom. It has been a day of sorrow here and it was comforting to remember pleasanter days.

_/\_/\_