Metalmark Sustainable
@metalmarks.bsky.social
Bringing Indigenous Plants and their Fauna back to our landscapes.
Ecological Landscapes.
Life.
Mosopelea/Ofo/Honniasont/Erie/Seneca/Cayuga/Shawnee/Lenape/Osage Land
USA SW PA Pittsburgh
Ecological Landscapes.
Life.
Mosopelea/Ofo/Honniasont/Erie/Seneca/Cayuga/Shawnee/Lenape/Osage Land
USA SW PA Pittsburgh
Late flowering Helianthus hirsutus-Hairy Sunflower-brings some Halloween cheer to SW PA landscape. BONAP NAPA map shows distribution. Sunflowers are keystone plants for Lepidoptera and Bees. They host at least 36species of specialist bees in E USA (per J Fowler). Have a safe Halloween everyone
October 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Late flowering Helianthus hirsutus-Hairy Sunflower-brings some Halloween cheer to SW PA landscape. BONAP NAPA map shows distribution. Sunflowers are keystone plants for Lepidoptera and Bees. They host at least 36species of specialist bees in E USA (per J Fowler). Have a safe Halloween everyone
*sound on* Sorghastrum nutans brings the crackle during Allegheny County PA’s first controlled burn at, and made possible by, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
Safe, intentional, beneficial fire has been returned to the landscape after a too long absence. Hooray PBG!
www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-b...
Safe, intentional, beneficial fire has been returned to the landscape after a too long absence. Hooray PBG!
www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-b...
October 17, 2025 at 9:34 PM
*sound on* Sorghastrum nutans brings the crackle during Allegheny County PA’s first controlled burn at, and made possible by, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
Safe, intentional, beneficial fire has been returned to the landscape after a too long absence. Hooray PBG!
www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-b...
Safe, intentional, beneficial fire has been returned to the landscape after a too long absence. Hooray PBG!
www.alleghenyfront.org/pittsburgh-b...
Lithospermum parviflorum Marbleseed volunteer in the garden in Pittsburgh PA. These uncommon calciphiles feed threatened Long-Tongued Bumblebees like Bombus fervidus and B pensylvanicus. Extinct Megafauna (and bison) may have moved the seeds. Known from Bridgeville PA. Grow some!
June 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Lithospermum parviflorum Marbleseed volunteer in the garden in Pittsburgh PA. These uncommon calciphiles feed threatened Long-Tongued Bumblebees like Bombus fervidus and B pensylvanicus. Extinct Megafauna (and bison) may have moved the seeds. Known from Bridgeville PA. Grow some!
Roundleaf Groundsel & Crested Iris brighten the spring garden with #nativeplants , with colors of the #ukraine flag, Western Allegheny Plateau, PA, USA. Packera feeds specialist bees and Northern Metalmark Butterflies. Iris feeds generalist bees, including queen bumblebees. #SlavaUkraini
March 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Roundleaf Groundsel & Crested Iris brighten the spring garden with #nativeplants , with colors of the #ukraine flag, Western Allegheny Plateau, PA, USA. Packera feeds specialist bees and Northern Metalmark Butterflies. Iris feeds generalist bees, including queen bumblebees. #SlavaUkraini
What a Friday. And the Abomination that was Krasnov’s treatment of Zelenskyy was probably one of many screens for the administrations even more despicable acts
February 28, 2025 at 11:42 PM
What a Friday. And the Abomination that was Krasnov’s treatment of Zelenskyy was probably one of many screens for the administrations even more despicable acts
This is Snow Trillium—Trillium nivale. Flowers in earliest March. Bees & Beetles pollinate. Very small, braves the cold, & not only survives but thrives on landscapes prone to slipping and landslide. Partially buries fruits and keeps offspring close. Together, they cling to cliffs and persevere.
February 28, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This is Snow Trillium—Trillium nivale. Flowers in earliest March. Bees & Beetles pollinate. Very small, braves the cold, & not only survives but thrives on landscapes prone to slipping and landslide. Partially buries fruits and keeps offspring close. Together, they cling to cliffs and persevere.
There are plenty of Milkweed Nativars but maybe this one will make the cut to be the next. Here is Asclepias tuberosa “Krasnov”. It’s a little red, but mostly orange, blooms for a very short time yet is a hotbed of ambush bugs. Unlike its namesake it is a real asset. #nativar #nativeplants
February 21, 2025 at 11:51 PM
There are plenty of Milkweed Nativars but maybe this one will make the cut to be the next. Here is Asclepias tuberosa “Krasnov”. It’s a little red, but mostly orange, blooms for a very short time yet is a hotbed of ambush bugs. Unlike its namesake it is a real asset. #nativar #nativeplants
To satisfy ongoing demand for Nativars, this Triosteum aurantiacum — Orange Fruited Horse Gentian — is called “Krasnov” because it took very many years to germinate and is orange. Unlike the real Krasnov, this plant will not try to take over or ruin the garden. #nativeplants #nativars
February 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
To satisfy ongoing demand for Nativars, this Triosteum aurantiacum — Orange Fruited Horse Gentian — is called “Krasnov” because it took very many years to germinate and is orange. Unlike the real Krasnov, this plant will not try to take over or ruin the garden. #nativeplants #nativars
Who says Asclepias tuberosa doesn’t form large clumps/drifts? Depends where you look I guess. Sure does in SW PA/N WV!
February 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Who says Asclepias tuberosa doesn’t form large clumps/drifts? Depends where you look I guess. Sure does in SW PA/N WV!
Here is a treebeard lichen. Lichen is not a parasite. It does not hurt trees. It may even help them. Mostly signifies clean air. Enjoy them, don’t destroy them
February 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Here is a treebeard lichen. Lichen is not a parasite. It does not hurt trees. It may even help them. Mostly signifies clean air. Enjoy them, don’t destroy them
Pedicularis canadensis - wood betony - nectar source for long tongued bees like Bombus fervidus and Bombus pensylvanicus; helps keep the grasses and asters short
February 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Pedicularis canadensis - wood betony - nectar source for long tongued bees like Bombus fervidus and Bombus pensylvanicus; helps keep the grasses and asters short
Phacelia purshii Miami Mist, a regional specialty stretching from PA to MO & AL, hosts >3 species specialist bees. An easy growing annual for medium to moist rich soils in part sun. Cool soil germinator readily starts from dried seed spread autumn -late winter. If you live in its ecoregion, grow it!
February 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Phacelia purshii Miami Mist, a regional specialty stretching from PA to MO & AL, hosts >3 species specialist bees. An easy growing annual for medium to moist rich soils in part sun. Cool soil germinator readily starts from dried seed spread autumn -late winter. If you live in its ecoregion, grow it!
Hydrophyllum virginicum, of moist rich forests of E/C USA, has lovely flowers that provide resources for many indigenous invertebrates including the specialist bee Andrena geranii. Grow for the specialists! #softlandings #NAnativeplant
February 18, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Hydrophyllum virginicum, of moist rich forests of E/C USA, has lovely flowers that provide resources for many indigenous invertebrates including the specialist bee Andrena geranii. Grow for the specialists! #softlandings #NAnativeplant
Smallanthus uvedalia Bearspaw US indigenous plant related to Yacon that likes base rich moist soil. Big beautiful plant
February 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Smallanthus uvedalia Bearspaw US indigenous plant related to Yacon that likes base rich moist soil. Big beautiful plant
Packera obovata feeds Northern Metalmarks and Andrena gardineri. If you’re in its ecoregions and have base rich ground, grow more!
February 17, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Packera obovata feeds Northern Metalmarks and Andrena gardineri. If you’re in its ecoregions and have base rich ground, grow more!
Cirsium pumilum a small thistle with a huge impact! Long tongued bumblebees. Regal Fritillaries. If you’re in its ecoregions, grow this plant!
February 17, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Cirsium pumilum a small thistle with a huge impact! Long tongued bumblebees. Regal Fritillaries. If you’re in its ecoregions, grow this plant!
Arabidopsis lyrata crescendo
February 17, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Arabidopsis lyrata crescendo
Taenidia integerrima profuse powerhouse population
February 17, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Taenidia integerrima profuse powerhouse population
Spring hopes eternal. Claytonia virginica and her Andrena bee
February 17, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Spring hopes eternal. Claytonia virginica and her Andrena bee
Hydrastis canadensis
February 17, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Hydrastis canadensis
Soft landings are helpful
February 17, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Soft landings are helpful
Jeffersonia diphylla. Spring Hopes Eternal.
February 16, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Jeffersonia diphylla. Spring Hopes Eternal.
Viola fimbriatula. Grow more!
February 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Viola fimbriatula. Grow more!