Suburban diversity

We don't even try to maintain a perfect lawn. I actually like the occurences of the varied species that pop up. Occasionally we get something really interesting, like this Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora) that appears in the fall. It looks like a fungus, but is actually an herbaceous plant that does not have chlorophyll.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotropa_uniflora

We also get some edible plants, like the Florida betony (Stachys floridana). The white tubers taste kind of like a radish without the bite and are great in salads. The flowers are pretty, too, but this plant is extremely invasive and hard to get rid of -- and so is hated by monoculturists.

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C867-11.htm

There are so many different species that grow in our yard, that I would have a hard time cataloging them all. Many invite pollinators and other benficial insects into the yard. Others provide flowers and textural interest. And so they are welcome, with a few exceptions.

The exceptions:

• Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera)-- not aggressive in my yard, but is a real problem in nearby Payne's Prarie.
• Climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) -- stays in one spot in my yard, but it's an invasive exotic and it keeps coming back.
• Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) -- Horrible stuff. Propagates in many ways. Impossible to get rid of. Very evil.