Phenology

Observations by Gary Fewless for Green Bay WI (Lat.N 44.51° Long. W 88.02° ), except as noted. For flowers lacking conspicuous petals or sepals I define "anthesis" as release of pollen by mature anthers.

August 2004

Observations by Gary Fewless, except as noted

Date	Observation (Click on links for photos)
Aug 30	Aster lateriflorus (calico aster) began flowering in the forest, on the UWGB Cofrin Arboretum (Kathy Groves). Some plants were flowering earlier in sunnier locations.
Aug 20-29	Even phenologists need to take vacation sometime. During the period of absence the goldenrods, especially Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) have entered their peak flowering period. Some plants have not yet begun to flower, including Aster novae-angliae and Aster ericoides. On Aug 29 Lobelia dortmanna had not begun to flower in Florence County and Megalodonta beckii had just begun to flower.
Aug 19	Green Bay's low temperature this morning was 42° F, a new record for this date (previous low was 46 F, recorded 4 times, the most recent 1950). Rhinelanders low temperature was 36 F, Merril was 34 F, both new record lows for the date and there were frost warnings across the northern counties.
Aug 18	Although the earliest individuals flowered about the first of August, Euthamia graminifolia (grass-leaved goldenrod) and Solidago rigida (stiff goldenrod) are just now beginning to flower conspicuously on the UWGB campus. Except for Aster umbellatus (flat-top aster), most of our wild asters have not yet begun to flower in northeastern Wisconsin.
Aug 17	Lespedeza capitata (round-headed bush-clover) in flower, UWGB in planted praired.
Aug 14	Odontites verna (red bartsia) in flower, Outagamie County, Kathy Groves.
Aug 12	Green Bay's high temperature yesterday was 61° F. That is the record for coldest high temperature for that date. Antigo and Rhinelander each achieved a high temperature of 52(!!), setting records for the date as did numerous other Wisconsin communities.
Aug 11	Solidago rigida (stiff goldenrod) is in flower, UWGB.
Aug 09	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed) is beginning to release pollen in the City of Green Bay (firs plants seen with open male flowers on Aug 5). This species is the largest source of pollen for fall "hayfever" in our area.
Aug 07	Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) has begun to flower, Baird Creek area, Brown County. Several new sites have been found for Trifolium fragiferum (strawberry clover), a recent introduction to Wisconsin. It appears to be limited mostly to Brown County so far, but it is spreading rapidly.
Aug 06	Aster macrophyllus (large-leaved aster) in flower, Point Beach State Forest, Manitowoc County.
Aug 05	A cold high pressure system entering from Canada brought Green Bay's morning low temperature to 49° F and Eagle River to 37° F!
Aug 04	The Green Bay area is in need of rain. July rainfall totaled 1.78 inches, only about half (52%) of the long-term average for July.
Aug 02	Arctium minus (burdock) in flower (anthesis), UWGB.
Aug 01	Eryngium yuccifolium (rattlesnake master) has begun to flower, UW-Green Bay's Cofrin Arboretum.