Botany and Forestry

Risk of West Virginia wildfires increases in 2025 amid dry autumn conditions

Botany and Forestry David Sibray - October 6, 2025

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot is a familiar sound in West Virginia, but this year those leaves carry more than...

Black‑eyed Susan in West Virginia—a golden gift of summer

Botany and Forestry Clyde Craig - July 4, 2025

EGERIA, W.Va. — As summer unfolds, brilliant yellow blooms emerge along fields, forests, and roadsides in West Virginia. In many cases, the show is...

Poison ivy in West Virginia: How to identify and safely eliminate it

Botany and Forestry David Sibray - June 22, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Poison ivy is more than just a notorious plant and a source of good stories in...

Pink or white — which rhododendron bears the official W.Va. state flower?

Botany and Forestry Katie Johns - May 18, 2025

GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Two prominent species of rhododendron bloom in West Virginia in spring and summer, but only one...

Whispers in the Forest: The secret world of W.Va.'s wild ferns

Botany and Forestry Barry Glick - May 13, 2025

RENICK, W.Va. — Ferns may be among the most overlooked plants in the West Virginia woodlands, though more than...

Sarvis Tree blossoms signal the arrival of mountain spring in W.Va.

Botany and Forestry David Sibray - April 11, 2025

SANDYVILLE, W.Va. — Seasons can come and go in the temperate regions of the world with many false starts,...

Wildflower event April 12 explores history of St. Albans, West Virginia

Botany and Forestry David Sibray - March 26, 2025

SAINT ALBANS, W.Va. — Four prehistoric trails once converged where the Coal River joins the Kanawha River, and this...

Spring's pink-flowering redbud trees guided early West Virginia settlers

Botany and Forestry David Sibray - March 24, 2025

HINTON, W.Va. — Blossoming across the eastern U.S. in spring, redbud trees were notably important during the settlement of...

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