The Understory

The forest understory is a shaded, often cooler layer beneath the main canopy, characterized by smaller trees, shrubs, saplings, ferns, and herbaceous plants that thrive in filtered sunlight. This dynamic layer provides crucial habitat and food sources for a variety of wildlife, contributing significantly to the overall biodiversity and complexity of the forest ecosystem. Sharpen your observation skills by using iNaturalist.

Showy Plants

• Rhododendrons: Groton Place
• Mountain Laurel: Groton Place, Throne Hill
• Wildflower Meadows: Bates, General Field, Still Meadow, Wharton Plantation

Invasives

Of the 2,263 plant species in Massachusetts that have been documented as native or naturalized (established newcomers introduced directly or indirectly by man), about 725 (32%) are naturalized. Of these, the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) recognizes 72 species as “Invasive,” “Likely Invasive,” or “Potentially Invasive.”

List of invasive plants: https://www.massnrc.org/mipag/invasive.htm

Mushrooms

If you are interested in foraging for mushrooms in Massachusetts, be aware that some species are poisonous, including false Morels, certain Amanita mushrooms, and some Boletes.   It’s crucial to avoid eating any mushroom unless you are 100% sure of its identification, ideally with expert confirmation. 

Animals

• Mammals seen in our woods include, deer, black bears, fisher cats, beavers, muskrats, minks, weasels, otters, rabbits, red foxes, gray foxes, coyotes, woodchucks, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, and chipmunks. For more information of local wildlife visit these resources:

https://grotonlakes.com/lake-wildlife

https://www.mass.gov/learn-about-wildlife