Native Trees
American Beech
aMERICAN White aSH
aMERICAN White aSH
American beech is not a common species in Wisconsin and is confined almost exclusively to the eastern part of the state. THREATENED IN THE GREENWAY We are extremely fortunate to have a small grove of American Beech trees in the Greenway. We are dedicated to preserving and expanding this small grove so it can be enjoyed by future generations.
aMERICAN White aSH
aMERICAN White aSH
aMERICAN White aSH
Sadly, we are saying goodbye to this once common tree in the Greenway. The cause is the infestation of Emerald Ash Borer beetles which hitched a ride to American forests on wooden pallets from Asia. This beetle is expected to kill 99% of our ash trees. It is highly likely they will become extinct in the Greenway in a few years.
Native Plants
Trillium - (Trillium nivale)
jACK-IN THE pULPIT - Arisaema Triphyllum
jACK-IN THE pULPIT - Arisaema Triphyllum
ENDAGERED IN THE GREENWAY A lovely spring woodland flower with three bright white petals. This is a native woodland wildflower here in Wisconsin. Along with other May flowers such as Mayapple and Jack-In-the-Pulpit, it’s bloom is relatively short lived
jACK-IN THE pULPIT - Arisaema Triphyllum
jACK-IN THE pULPIT - Arisaema Triphyllum
jACK-IN THE pULPIT - Arisaema Triphyllum
ENDANGERED IN THE GREENWAY A native perennial, the plant flowers in May and June. However, not all the flowers are "Jacks." Initially Jack-in-the-pulpits produce only male flowers but, in later years, Jack-in-the-pulpits may have male flowers on top and female flowers ("Jills") on the bottom. This all depends on how much energy has been
ENDANGERED IN THE GREENWAY A native perennial, the plant flowers in May and June. However, not all the flowers are "Jacks." Initially Jack-in-the-pulpits produce only male flowers but, in later years, Jack-in-the-pulpits may have male flowers on top and female flowers ("Jills") on the bottom. This all depends on how much energy has been stored in the plant's corm (a bulbous underground stem that stores the plant's carbohydrates).
Feature something
Feature something
Feature something
The State Flower of Wisconsin, the Wood Violet is a native woodland wildflower in this area. Wood Violets can be variations of purple, blue and white, and they are very pretty and delicate. It is a small plant, around 6 inches tall. Wood Violets are some of the first flowers to emerge in April and early May.
Blood Root
Feature something
Feature something
ENDANGERED IN THE GREENWAY This is a striking bright white little flower, even more so due to it being one of the very earliest to bloom here in Wisconsin. They emerge in Mid to late April, wrapped in their one leaf, and then the flower blooms out of the wrapped leaf as the plant grows. and a welcome sight after a long winter. They grow
ENDANGERED IN THE GREENWAY This is a striking bright white little flower, even more so due to it being one of the very earliest to bloom here in Wisconsin. They emerge in Mid to late April, wrapped in their one leaf, and then the flower blooms out of the wrapped leaf as the plant grows. and a welcome sight after a long winter. They grow from rhizomes in the ground which can be damaged by "off-trail" walkers.
Native Fungi *
Dead Man's Fingers
* A word about foraging
* A word about foraging
Dead man’s fingers is a mushroom-like fungal growth that can be found at the base of dead or dying trees and shrubs. that are in contact with soil. Some types of dead man’s fingers are produced by wood-decomposing fungi. Others are produced by fungi that cause black root rot. This disease typically is a problem on stressed trees or shrubs.
* A word about foraging
* A word about foraging
* A word about foraging
Foraging is illegal in all Milwaukee County parks. This is an effort to preserve the natural balance of the ecosystem and to ensure all visitor to the Greenway can enjoy the full benefit of observing the natural world.
Slime molds
Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the Woods
Slime molds are members of a shape-shifting group of organisms called myxomycetes. These organisms are found all over the world, even in deserts, high altitudes, and on the edges of snowbanks. Although they often resemble fungi, slime molds are more closely related to amoebas and certain seaweeds. (Pictured - Dog Vomit Slime Mold)
Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the Woods
THREATENED IN THE GREENWAY DUE TO ILLEGAL FORAGING This lovely tree fungus (Laetiporus sulphureus) Is just one of the many organisms that work to break down rotting trees into the rich mezic forest soils we find. Hikers along footpaths in the greenway enjoy the sight of these stunning bracket fungi. So please enjoy, take pictures, but leave them in place for the next visitors to enjoy.