What plant is that?
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Photo credits: © Francis R. Underwood 2020
The mystery plant for July is not native to RI and is rather new to the flora here. In 2009 I reported this plant growing alongside an unpaved road in Exeter. I had not seen it since, until I noticed it growing at Fort Nature Refuge a few weeks ago, but I didn’t recognize it.
The flowers on this plant have 4 white petals, but the petals are not always present. This plant typically has numerous alternate leaves which are divided into smaller leaflets. It also has sagitate- auriculate leaf bases which partially surround the stem. (Haines 2011; Mehrhoff et al. 2003).
This plant can grow in many different environments and is often listed as invasive.