Untitled Document

A true understanding of the whole can be reached by an investigation and understanding of its parts. There are many species that live and thrive in the Cannon River Watershed, each bringing life to the wetlands, prairies, and forests of the region. Plant species are just one category of organisms that have their own niche within the habitats that make up this varied landscape. The uniqeness of not only each species, but of each individual plant becomes apparent when studying the details of what may initially seem a miniscule part of the whole. With this realization comes appreciation and connection with not only the individual piece, but what it is a part of- whether it may be a branch, a tree, a forest, a city, a watershed, a state, or even a country for that matter. These plants do not only exist within the Cannon River Watershed, but exists as parts of a whole in other places as well. These are my original drawings of species that exists within the Cannon River Watershed in addition to written descriptions of their characteristics, a study that involves an attention to the layering details that make up the parts of a whole.

A true understanding of the whole can be reached by an investigation and understanding of its parts. There are many species that live and thrive in the Cannon River Watershed, each bringing life to the wetlands, prairies, and forests of the region. Plant species are just one category of organisms that have their own niche within the habitats that make up this varied landscape. The uniqeness of not only each species, but of each individual plant becomes apparent when studying the details of what may initially seem a miniscule part of the whole. With this realization comes appreciation and connection with not only the individual piece, but what it is a part of- whether it may be a branch, a tree, a forest, a city, a watershed, a state, or even a country for that matter. These plants do not only exist within the Cannon River Watershed, but exists as parts of a whole in other places as well. These are my original drawings of species that exists within the Cannon River Watershed in addition to written descriptions of their characteristics, a study that involves an attention to the layering details that make up the parts of a whole.
TREE SPECIES
SUGAR MAPLE Acer saccharum Family Aceraceae - Maple family Other Names: Hard maple (Rathke). Growth: Perennial; U.S.native; grows 40-70'; moderate fire tolerance; shade tolerant (USDA, NRCS, 2004). Fruits/Flowers/Leaves: Inconspicuous yellow flowers; brown fruits/seeds (USDA, NRCS, 2004); leaves are opposite, simple, and palmately lobed (Rathke).

AMERICAN BASSWOOD Tilia americana Family Tiliaceae - Linden family Other Names: American linden (Rathke). Growth: Perennial; U.S. native; grows 60-75'; both fire and shade tolerant (USDA, NRCS, 2004); trunk often grows with two or more stems in a cluster (Rathke) . Fruits/Flowers/Leaves: Conspicuous yellow flowers bloom in late spring; brown seeds/fruits; (USDA, NRCS, 2004); buds are red; yellowish-green leaves are alternate, simple, and heart shaped (Rathke).