SWEETGUM SIGHTINGS

January 1–31
Thank you for helping document the American Sweetgum in New York City. Did you know that it and Black Cherry are the two dominant canopy trees in forested areas of the City? Together we increased the number of Sweetgum observations in NYC by 234%! With less than 1/100 of one percent of the land area, New York City observations comprise almost 10% of the total Sweetgums observed in North America. Our own @elizajsyh is number four in the nation for Sweetgum observations.

Observations: 394
Observers: @danielatha, 113; @elizajsyh, 91; @mjstrauss21, 37; @dskacc, 28; @margela, 17.
Places: New York, 154; Bronx, 135; Staten Island, 89; Brooklyn, 11; Queens, 3.

Check out the February EcoQuest HUNT FOR HEDERA

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HUNT FOR HEDERA
February 1–7
Thank you @vilseskog for the link to this Washington Post article about English and Irish Ivy gone wild. Use a hand lens to see if you can identify the two forms described in the article. But be careful! English Ivy and its close relatives contain falcarinol, a compound that causes contact dermatitis. In a study of 127 Danish people, 7.9% were sensitive to falcarinol.

Observations: 115
Places: Manhattan, 87; Bronx, 23; Staten Island, 4.
Observers: @elizajsyh, 68; @dskacc, 16; @danielatha, 10; @Laura622, 7; @plnthunter22, 5.

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HUNT FOR HEDERA
February 1–14
Come to the New York City EcoFlora Volunteer Kickoff. A presentation describing the EcoFlora and EcoQuests will be followed by demonstrations, question and answer session, up-coming events, prizes and refreshments. Keep those Hedera observations coming. Your sightings are helping managers pinpoint problem areas throughout the City.
Observations: 285
Observers: @elizajsyh, 138; @dskacc, 41; @susanhewitt, 33; @danielatha, 21; @plnthunter22, 9.
Species: 2
Places: Manhattan, 236; Bronx, 31; Staten Island, 6; Queens, 8; Brooklyn, 4.

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HUNT FOR HEDERA
February 1–21
English Ivy plants are not inherently bad. We introduced them to areas where they have no natural constraints and so they become destructive invaders. Your observations in New York City have improved our knowledge of where these plants occur and how abundant they are-- data that is the foundation for management.

Observations: 649
Observers: @elizajsyh, 164; @danielatha, 162; @susanhewitt, 66; @margela, 56; @plnthunter22, 47.
Species: 2
Places: Manhattan, 438; Bronx, 181; Staten Island, 12; Queens, 9; Brooklyn, 9.

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