Look-Alikes: Tree of Heaven
How to distinguish the fast speading invasive tree of heaven from similar looking trees?
Tag Archive for: plant identification
Tag Archive for: plant identification
Basic Botanical Identifying Techniques Used in the Field — Wildflowers (Charlestown)
Hone your observation skills and improve your ability to identify wildflowers
Bloodroot- photo, Kathy Barton
On May 3, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Nathan Lambstrom will lead a walk through the Nature Conservancy’s Francis C. Carter Preserve, focusing on taking the guesswork out of wildflower identification for the nature lover with no formal botanical training.
Nathan will have some copies of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide that will walk us through a simple but precise logical key system. Bring your own copy if you have one. Nathan Lambstrom is a lecturer in the College of Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) at URI. A garden ecologist, Nathan also runs his own business designing and planting gardens that support wildlife, conserve water, and enrich home environments. Nathan holds a MS in plant biology and conservation from Northwestern University.
We will walk for approximately 3 miles on an easy to moderate trail.
This walk is free and open to the public.
Donations help support our walks and programs. DONATE NOW
General walk guidelines
Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.
Dogs are not permitted.
Cancellations
Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org
We walk light rain or shine. In case of cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.
Registration is required
The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.
Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.
More specifics about the location provided upon registration.
Workshop: Plant Identification in the Classroom
Hone your botanical observation skills and learn to identify plants!
Join botanist Elizabeth Dickson for a workshop on how to key wildflowers using Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and GoBotany. Bring a copy of Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, a hand lens, and your cell phone, tablet or laptop. We will key out as many wildflowers as we can, and learn about the Mystery Plant challenge on the RIWPS’ companion website, Among-RI-Wildflowers.
The workshop will be on May 30, 2026 from 9 am-12 pm, URI Greenhouse, 6 Greenhouse Rd., Kingston, RI. Free parking is available in the Fine Arts Lot off of Flagg Road. A visitors pass is not required for parking in this area. (link to Campus Map)
Limited space. Registration Required. Fee: $20.00 for RIWPS members; $30.00 for non members.
You may register one Member and one Non-member per form. To register additional people, please submit another registration form.
Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org
First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk MA (note: Walk has been moved to the first Saturday,)
Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium),
On Saturday June 6, 2026 from 10 am – 12 pm join Joe Kroger at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, MA. Joe Kroger, Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s naturalist of the year in 2024, has 40 years of experience at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. We will look for some plants of concern, notably nodding trillium, begonias, and baneberry, in addition to the usual suspects.
Joe also leads the bird program at Caratunk as well, so he can lead us along the blue bird trail too. With nearly 200 acres of fields, forests, streams, and ponds, Caratunk offers miles of well-marked, easy to moderate trails, making it one of Audubon’s most popular properties.
Free and open to the public.
Donations to help support our walks are appreciated. DONATE NOW
General walk guidelines
Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.
Dogs are not permitted.
Cancellations
Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org
We walk in light rain or shine. If severe weather requires cancellation, we’ll email you—typically deciding the day before.
Registration is required
Space is limited to ensure everyone can observe plants and join the discussion.
Note: Submit a separate registration for each person.
More details about the location of the walk provided upon registration.