Winged or shining sumac (
Rhus copallina) in the weedy strip separating the parking lot for 1801 Robert Fulton Dr from the W&OD bike path. Note the shiny wings along the petiole that joins the 11 leaflets in the compound leaf at the lower left. For more on this species, see
Virginia Tech tree factsheet.
The clusters of drupes on this sumac can get quite large.
Another shining sumac in the same strip, this one without the obvious clusters of drupes, but showing splotches of deep red fall coloration appearing.
In this particular weedy strip the pokeweed (
Phytolacca americana) can get quite tall!
This strip also contains a large number of grasses, which add considerably to both the biodiversity and the beauty of this habitat. This particular grass appears to be green foxtail (
Setaria viridis), based upon its height, size and shape of panicle, drooping habit, and absence of hairs on the leaves; see
Virginia Tech weed guide.
Another view of a panicle from this grass, which is found quite frequently along this stretch of the W&OD bike path.
Mile-a-minute weed (
Persicaria perfoliata) patch near the junction of the W&OD gravel path and bike path just south of the underpass under the Dulles Toll Road. Note the distinctively shaped leaves (equilateral triangles), the round collars (
ocreae) around the stem underneath some of the green fruit (especially in the lower center of the picture), and the bright blue color of the ripening fruit. This is a highly invasive species; see the
National Park Service fact sheet.
Another view of this patch of mile-a-minute weed, with the prominent triangular leaves and a good example of an ocrea just underneath the blue fruit in the middle of the picture. This particular patch has already climbed over some of the adjoining shrubs; elsewhere along this stretch of the W&OD, mile-a-minute weed appears to be mostly a ground-hugging vine.
Cattail or bulrush (
Typha latifolia) growing in a drainage ditch along the W&OD gravel patch underneath the Dulles Toll Road overpass. I found this
Wikipedia article on
Typha to be informative.
A closer look at the distinctive cigar-shaped inflorescence of the cattail.
