MORRIS CANAL PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE
Clifton, Passaic County, NJ.

14 June (Saturday). MORRIS CANAL PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE, CLIFTON, PASSAIC CO., NJ Meet at 10:00 AM at the end of the park entrance driveway. The park is located adjacent to Broad St. near the intersection with Allwood Rd. and is identified by multiple brown and white signs: "MORRIS CANAL PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE." By car: via Rts. 80, 46/3, and the Garden State Pkwy., use exits for "Broad St., Clifton." Park in either the adjacent office building parking lot (best) or the limited small preserve parking lot. By bus: take NJ TRANSIT 192 bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in N.Y.C. Get off bus at corner of Allwood Rd. and Broad St., Clifton and walk two blocks north to the park entrance on the right side of the road. Please check bus schedule at Port Authority Terminal in advance of the trip. TBS last visited this small (5 acres) historical / botanical park in May 1996. It contains a restored section of the Morris Canal with open water prism and towpath. Both upland and wetland native vegetation remnants and more recent landscape plantings are present to provide a fairly diverse flora for a relatively small urbanized area. Trip leader: Joseph A. Labriola, 863 Allwood Rd., Apt. D-1, Clifton, NJ 07012-1934; 973-472-8451, [email protected].

PLANT LIST:
Joseph Labriola and TBS
5/18/96 = date plant found in bloom

Trees:
Acer negundo (box elder maple)
Acer saccharinum (silver maple)
Celtis occidentalis (northern hackberry)
Juglans nigra (black walnut)
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum)
Morus alba (white mulberry)
Prunus serotina (black cherry)
Prunus sp. (Kwanzan cherry)

Shrubs of sub-shrubs:
Cornus amomum (swamp dogwood) 5/18/96
Cornus racemosa (gray-stem dogwood
Lonicera x bella (honeysuckle)
Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum)
Vinca minor (periwinkle) 5/18/96

Herbs:
Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) 5/18/96
Allium vineale (field garlic)
Barbarea vulgaris (common wintercress) 5/18/96
Chelidonium majus (celandine) 5/18/96
Galium aparine (cleavers)
Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag) 5/18/96 soon
Lamium purpureum (purple dead nettle) 5/18/96
Linaria vulgaris (butter and eggs)
Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife)
Peltandra virginica (arrow arum)
Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish) 5/18/96
Senecio vulgaris (groundsel) 5/18/96
Stellaria media (common chickweed) 5/18/96
Symplocarpus foetidus (skunk cabbage)
Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion) 5/18/96
Veronica arvensis (corn speedwell) 5/18/96
Veronica sp. (speedwell) 5/18/96
Veronica sp. (speedwell) found in the water

Grasses:
Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass)
Phragmites australis (giant reed grass)

June 14, 2003 Morris Canal Park and Nature Preserve, Clifton, Passaic Co.
and Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve, Montclair, Essex Co., N.J.
Torrey Botanical Society trip. With Joe Labriola (leader).  Plant List by Dr. William F. Standaert.

Nomenclature follows Gleason & Cronquist (1991). Somewhat out of date, but widely used.
A few Kartesz equivalents given for clarification. Source: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database.
Common names from various sources: Kartesz (PLANTS), Karl Anderson's CHECKLIST (1999), etc.
var. ... = unspecified variety. (Vars. listed in Gleason & Cronquist do not match Kartesz's interpretation.)
F Flowering specimen(s) found. [C.] Cultivated or intentionally planted species.
Fr Fruiting specimen(s) found. [E.] Escaped from cultivation.

Trees:
Acer negundo var. negundo Box Elder some
Fr Acer platanoides [E.] Norway Maple common
Acer saccharinum Silver Maple few
Aesculus hippocastanum [E.] Horse Chestnut few saplings
Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven some
Albizia julibrissin [E.] Mimosa 1 seedling
Betula nigra [C.] River Birch few saplings
Betula populifolia Gray Birch some
Celtis occidentalis [C.] Hackberry few
Cercis canadensis var. canadensis [C.] Redbud 1
Fagus europaea [C.] European Beech (bronze cultivar) 2
Fr Fraxinus americana White Ash common
Fraxinus pennsylvanica [1 C., 1 not C.?] Green Ash 2
Ginkgo biloba [C.] Maidenhair Tree 1
Ilex opaca [C.] American Holly few
Juglans nigra [C./E.] Black Walnut some
Juniperus virginiana var. ... Eastern Red-cedar 1
Magnolia tripetala [C.] Umbrella-tree 1
Metasequoia glyptostroboides [C.] Dawn Redwood 1
im Fr Morus alba [C./E.] White Mulberry some
Pinus strobus [C.] White Pine 1
? Pinus sylvestris [C.] Scotch Pine (Did not check carefully) 1, young tree
Populus grandidentata [C.] Bigtooth Aspen 1
Prunus 'Kwanzan' [C.] Kwanzan Cherry few
[A Sato Zakura cultivar derived from P. speciosa or related species]
Prunus pendula ('Pendula Plena Rosea'?) [C.] Weeping Cherry (Double)? (Check cultivar when in flower) 1
Prunus serotina Black Cherry some
im Fr Pyrus baccata [C./E.] Siberian Crabapple (Probably several different clones) common
im Fr Pyrus calleryana [C.] Callery Pear (undetermined cultivar) 1
Quercus palustris Pin Oak common
Fr Salix hybrid [fragilis x alba] [C.] Crack Willow x White Willow hybrid 1, large tree
[Salix x rubens [fragilis x alba]--Kartesz]
Thuja occidentalis [C.] Northern White-cedar 1
Tilia sp. [C.] Basswood (Check when fruiting) 1
Ulmus americana American Elm few

Shrubs:
Berberis thunbergii [E.] Japanese Barberry 1
Buxus microphylla var. koreana [C.] Korean Boxwood [ID by Joe Labriola] few
Cornus alternifolia [C.] Alternate-leaved Dogwood 1
Cornus amomum var. amomum Silky Dogwood 1
near F Cornus racemosa [C.?] Northern Swamp Dogwood 1
F Crataegus phaenopyrum [C.] Washington Hawthorn [ID by Joe Labriola] some
Elaeagnus angustifolia [C.] Russian Olive 1
Elaeagnus umbellata [C./E.?] Autumn Olive 1 Hamamelis virginiana Witch Hazel few
Hibiscus syriacus [C.] Rose of Sharon few
Kalmia latifolia [C. Mountain Laurel 1
Lindera benzoin var. benzoin Spicebush few
F Rosa multiflora [E.] Multiflora Rose some
F Rosa rugosa [C.] Rugosa Rose 1 clump
Rubus occidentalis Black Raspberry few
Rubus sp. Blackberry few
F Sambucus canadensis var. ... Common Elderberry few
Sorbus aucuparia [C.] European Mountain Ash 1
F Spiraea japonica 'Little Princess' [C.] Japanese Spiraea [ID by Joe Labriola] few
Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum Northern Arrowwood few
Viburnum rhytidophyllum [C.] Leatherleaf Viburnum [ID by Joe Labriola] 1
Vinca minor [C./E.] Common Periwinkle 1 small patch
F Weigela florida [C.] Weigela 1 clump

Vines:
Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed 2
Campsis radicans [E.] Trumpet Creeper few
im Fr Celastrus orbiculatus [E.] Oriental Bittersweet few
Humulus japonicus Japanese Hop 1 patch
Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle few
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper some
Polygonum scandens var. scandens Climbing False Buckwheat few
Sicyos angulatus Burr Cucumber 1
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Nightshade few
F Toxicodendron radicans var. radicans Poison Ivy some
Wisteria floribunda [C./E.] Japanese Wisteria some
Unknown twining vine with whorls of 4 leaves. Seen at edge of parking area.

Herbs:
F,im Fr Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard common
F(1) Allium sp. [C.] Chives (Did not study carefully) some, edge of vegetable garden
Ambrosia trifida var. trifida Great Ragweed few
near F Anthemis arvensis [C.?] Corn Chamomile 1 small patch, edge of garden
Arctium minus Common Burdock few
im Fr Arisaema triphyllum var. triphyllum Jack in the Pulpit 1
Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort some
Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed few
Barbarea vulgaris Winter Cress 1
Bidens frondosa Beggarticks 1
F,im Fr Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse few
F Cerastium vulgatum Common Mouse-ear Chickweed few
F Chelidonium majus [E.] Celandine few patches
Chenopodium album Lamb's-quarters few
Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle few
Conium maculatum Poison Hemlock 1 small plant, back edge of parking area
- Near back edge of vegetable garden. Should be dug out. Might be mistaken for parsley!
Convallaria majalis [C.] Lily of the Valley 1 patch
F Coronilla varia [C./E.] Crown Vetch few
near F Cryptotaenia canadensis Honewort some
F Erigeron annuus Daisy Fleabane few
Eupatorium rugosum var. rugosum White Snakeroot some
Eupatorium serotinum Late-flowering Thoroughwort 1
F,im Fr Fagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat 2, edge of Canal
F Galinsoga quadriradiata Common Quickweed few
F,im Fr Galium aparine var. ... Cleavers some
F Geranium sibiricum Siberian Cranesbill 1
Hosta ventricosa [C.] Blue Plaintain Lily some Hypericum perforatum [C.] Common St. Johnswort 2
Impatiens capensis Jewelweed some
F Iris pseudacorus [C./E.] Yellow Flag 1 clump
Lactuca sp. Lettuce 1
F Lamium purpureum [E.] Purple Deadnettle few patches
F Lapsana communis [C.?] Nipplewort some, in garden
F Lepidium virginicum var. virginicum Peppergrass few
Linaria vulgaris Butter and Eggs few
F Linum usitatissimum Common Flax few, edge of Canal
? Mentha suaveolens [C.] Apple Mint 1 clump, in garden
F Oxalis dillenii Southern Yellow Wood-sorrel some
Peltandra virginica Arrow Arum 1clump
Phytolacca americana Pokeweed few
Pilea pumila var. pumila Clearweed some
Plantago lanceolata English Plantain 1
Plantago major Common Plantain some
F Polygonatum biflorum Solomon's Seal (The ordinary diploid form) 1
F Polygonatum biflorum (the tetraploid form) [C.?] Solomon's Seal 1
F Polygonum cespitosum var. longisetum Cespitose Smartweed some
near F Polygonum hydropiperoides var. hydropiperoides Mild Water-pepper 1
Polygonum sagittatum Arrow-leaved Tearthumb 1
Polygonum virginianum Jumpseed some
Portulaca oleracea Purslane 1
Potentilla norvegica Rough Cinquefoil 2
F,im Fr Ranunculus sceleratus var. sceleratus Cursed Crowfoot few
near F Rumex crispus Curly Dock 2
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock some
F,Fr Senecio vulgaris Common Groundsel few
F Silene latifolia White Campion few
Solidago canadensis var. canadensis Canada Goldenrod some
Sonchus sp. Sowthistle (Unidentifiable young plant) 1
F Stellaria media Common Chickweed some
Symplocarpus foetidus Skunk Cabbage few
F,Fr Taraxacum officinale Dandelion some
F Tradescantia virginiana [C.] Spiderwort 1 small patch
F Trifolium dubium Least Hop-clover few, lawn
F(1) Trifolium pratense Red Clover few
F Trifolium repens White Clover some
F Veronica anagallis-aquatica Water Speedwell 1
F Veronica arvensis Corn Speedwell some, lawn
Fr Veronica peregrina var. peregrina Purslane Speedwell 1
- Veronica persica (Persian Speedwell) also seen here on previous trip.
F Veronica polita Gray Field Speedwell few
Viola sororia Dooryard Violet some

Rushes:
near F Juncus effusus var. pylaei Common Rush 1 small patch
near F Juncus tenuis var. tenuis Path Rush some

Sedges:
F,im Fr Carex lurida Shallow Sedge 1 small patch
F Carex sp. (Ovales group) Sedge 2 clumps
F Carex vulpinoidea var. vulpinoidea Fox Sedge few

Grasses:
near F Bromus inermis Smooth Brome few
F Bromus sterilis Barren Brome 1
F Dactylis glomerata Orchard Grass common
near F Festuca elatior [Lolium arundinaceum--Kartesz] Tall Fescue some F Glyceria striata Fowl Mannagrass 1 patch
Panicum clandestinum Deertongue few
Phragmites australis Common Reed some, edges
? Phyllostachys sp. [C.] Bamboo 1 clump
F Poa annua Annual Bluegrass common
F Poa compressa Canada Bluegrass some
F Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass common
Ferns & fern allies
Dennstaedtia punctilobula Hay-scented Fern few, 1 site
Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern some

Trip Report:

Montclair, Essex County, and Morris Canal Park Nature Preserve, Clifton, Passaic County, N.J. May 18, 1996.

On a mild (65 degrees) very overcast day, the attendees visited three parks/sanctuaries in the Clifton, New Jersey area. The first stop was the nine-acre Holy Face of Jesus Monastery. Father Hilary Conti spoke to the group about his efforts over the years to plant various trees. On the lawn three buttercups bloomed (Ranunculus abortivus, R. bulbosus, and R. repens), as well as two speedwells (Veronica arvensis and V. serpyllifolia), and the unusual grass Poa bulbosa. The cream violet (Viola striata) invited special praise and interest. Among the trees on the property were Alnus incana, Castanea mollissima, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Picea pungens, Pinus nigra, Rhamnus frangula, Sorbus aucuparia, and Tilia x europaea.

The next stop was the A. F. Bonsal Preserve, a twenty acre preserve primarily in Montclair, through which the Third River (Pearl Brook) runs. Passing through the woods and walking along the river, the group found in bloom Aralia nudicaulis, Barbarea vulgaris, Chelidonium majus, Fragaria virginiana, Geranium maculatum, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Maianthemum canadense, Polygonatum pubescens, Ranunculus abortivus and R. acris, Scilla non-scripta, and Smilacina racemosa.

The only tree in bloom was a hawthorn species. Other trees and shrubs here included Acer saccharinum, Aesculus hippocastanum, Carpinus caroliniana, Gleditsia triacanthos, Lindera benzoin, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus palustris, Salix discolor, Tilia americana, and Ulmus americana. There were a number of shrubs in bloom including Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera x bella, and Viburnum prunifolium.

The final stop was the Morris Canal Park, a five-acre area along the old Morris Canal. Among the herbaceous species in bloom were Raphanus raphanistrum and Senecio vulgaris.. Among the trees were Acer negundo, Celtis occidentalis, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. A shrub in bloom was Cornus amomum accompanied by the non-blooming Cornus racemosa.

The total number of participants was eight. The trip leader was Joe Labriola.

MORRIS CANAL PARK AND PRESERVE, CLIFTON, PASSAIC COUNTY AND THE A. F. BONSAL NATURE PRESERVE, ESSEX COUNTY, MONTCLAIR, ESSEX COUNTY, June 14, 2003.

On an overcast day a small group of amateur botanists gathered to tour the Morris Canal Park and Preserve in Clifton, New Jersey. The trip leader covered a little of the history of the area. The old Morris Canal came down Broad Street. At that time the canal was 40 feet wide by 5 feet deep, but is now only 20 feet wide by from 1 to 2 feet deep. All the water in the canal is supplied by rain and runoff. This was first a Dutch area and then it was settled by the Germans (with a Lutheran church nearby). Twenty years ago the area was just a wooded lot. Then a business applied for a permit to construct an office building. Jack W. Kuepfer became active in saving the area. It was dedicated on May 17, 1987. In that year President Reagan honored Kuepfer for his preservation efforts. He was able to save about 400 feet of the old canal. The area is leased from P.S.E. & G. Utility for just $1 dollar per year. It is maintained by the Friends of Morris Canal and is a National Historical Landmark. The area was more natural at first, but over the years various groups have donated horticultural shrubs, trees, and herbs.

Shrubs in bloom included Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose) and R. rugosa (wrinkled rose), Sambucus canadensis (elderberry) and Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum). Trees in bloom included a Crataegus sp. (hawthorn). There were a number of Veronica species found in the park, including Veronica anagalis-aquatica (water speedwell), V. arvensis (corn speedwell), V. polita, V. peregrina (purslane speedwell), and V. persica (bird's eye speedwell).

After lunch on some picnic tables in the park, the group went farther south down Broad Street to the A. F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve. The double-file viburnum (Viburnum plicatum) was in bloom, as well as deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum). But the absolute prize find of the park and of the day was the blooming poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) which most of the attendees had never seen previously. One of the species was over seven feet high. Another unexpectedly tall species was watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), also in bloom.

Total attendance was 8. Attendees included Patrick and Rosemary Cooney, Lauren Christie, Auggie Matzdorf, Sarah-David Rosenbaum, and Bill and Eleanor Standaert. The trip leader was Joe Labriola.

Got an e-mail from Joe Labirola, 9/23/03.  " I went to a clean up at Morris Canal Park last Saturday and among other tasks I gave the park caretaker, Jack Kupfer, a tour of some of our findings of the June 14 TBS trip that he could not attend. I previously gave him a copy of our plant list which he thinks will be very helpful in his conservation efforts at the preserve. We also worked on the i.d. and removal of invasive plant species, the usual hit list. The garden club removed the one specimen of poison hemlock that we found in June. Jack is also trying to increase the number of sweet gum trees by transplanting whatever seedlings geminate on-site."