Kentucky coffee-tree

Kentucky coffee-tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is native to Indiana forests, sometimes it is planted as a street tree.  Here are a couple coffee-trees that are easy to find, in the middle of Indianapolis, planted along South Meridian Street. This is near Greek Islands Restaurant, there are more planted up the street closer to Shapiro's.  Notice that the leaflets have all fallen but some of the leaf rachises are still on the tree.  Picture taken December 18, 2011.

Link to previous post on Gymnocladus dioicus:

Link to another page on Gymnocladus dioicus:

Link to rachis:

Jack Pine on Purdue campus

Here is a Jack Pine tree (Pinus banksiana) on the Purdue campus. It's easy to find, on the north side of Third St. just a few steps east of McCormick Road.  This tree has been recognized as the biggest jack pine tree in the United States.  In its native habitat Pinus banksiana grows under rather extreme conditions and it doesn't normally get this big.  Here on campus it has been planted in fairly good soil with plenty of room to grow.  The dunes area near Lake Michigan has a native population of jack pine.

Picture taken Dec. 16, 2011.

Link to this jack pine tree at Purdue:

Another link to this tree:

Link to Pinus banksiana:

Link to picture of Pinus banksiana at Indiana Dunes State Park:

Jack Pine in art:

Datura stramonium in the Wabash floodwaters

A patch of last summer's Datura stramonium in the flooded Wabash River, on the Lafayette side of the river. Picture taken December 11, 2011.

Link to previous post on Datura stramonium:

Link to Wabash River levels: