Even though invasive plants cover 95% of the land in some parts of the park, a few places still have several plant remnants of an earlier time.These four examples occur in an area between Colesville and University.

Inventory of Native Plants along Sligo Creek

No plant can be confused with Partridgeberry, which has a white line through the midvein of the leaf and bright red berries.

This reddish grass is distinctive and especially attractive in winter.

Virginia, or Scrub, Pine was the dominant pine until White Pine became widely planted. White pine is native to more northern parts of Maryland. It is the only pine in the region with five needles to a bundle. Virginia pine has two shorter length needles which often twist a bit. Chickadees, other birds, and squirrels eat the seeds, making pines important in supporting wildlife. White pines grow fast and are long-lived; Virginia pines grow moderately slowly and are rather short-lived.

Occasionally an unexpected rather rare flower shows up. This showy orchid was within five feet of invasive rose, which is being held in check.

Meadows of joe pye-weed, milkweed, ironweed and goldenrod must once have been common. Today Sligo has rather few native plants. Along the Parkway a few areas have been planted with so-called wildflower mixes. The seeds reportedly come from the Midwest, and are wild species, but few, including Icelandic poppy, are native to Sligo. Along the Parkway are some excellent sunny spaces to restore our true native species.

Animals