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EcoQuest Challenge Archive 2022
EcoQuests, part of the NYC EcoFlora Project, challenge New Yorkers to become citizen scientists and observe, study and help conserve the native plants and animals of the City, using iNaturalist, an easy-to-use mobile app.
The New York City EcoFlora project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MG-70-19-0057-19].
Tracking Pteridophytes - December 2022
New York City is home to diverse plants that continue to paint the landscape green well after much of it has died back or turned dormant. Many of these winter greens are pteridophytes, which are vascular plants that produce spores instead of seeds.
This group includes ferns, horsetails, and lycophytes (clubmoss, spikemoss, and quillworts), and can be deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen. Find as many of these terrific pteridophytes as you can this December!
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph these plants anywhere in New York City.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many of these plants in New York City as possible by December 31.

Falling for Galls - October 2022
Galls are abnormal, vegetative growths that develop on various plant parts in reaction to the stimulus of insects, mites, nematodes, viruses, fungi, or even other plant species. The appearance of a gall is unique to the organism that creates it, and they sport a spectacular variety of shapes, colors, and textures. Take a closer look at your favorite plants and see if you can spot any galls!
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph Common Evening Primrose flowers open with or without pollinators anywhere in New York City.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many galls in New York City as possible by October 31.

Encounter Evening Primrose - September 2022
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a native, disturbance-adapted wildflower that can grow up to six feet tall. Its yellow flowers, which open in the evening, are pollinated by insects such as Hawk Moths (Sphingidae) and the Evening Primrose Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum oneotherae).
Because these interactions occur in the evening, they are under-observed. Can you observe Evening Primrose flowers opening or being visited by pollinators? Can you find any exceptionally tall plants?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph Common Evening Primrose flowers open with or without pollinators anywhere in New York City.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many Common Evening Primrose flowers open with or without pollinators in New York City as possible by September 30.

August Aphids, Monarchs, and Milkweeds - August 2022
Although Milkweeds (Asclepias) have classically been associated with the valuable and endangered Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), this genus is an actor in a complex community of organisms. The Oleander Aphid (Aphis nerii) is a non-native Aphid that feeds on the sap of Milkweeds, and whose population distribution is increasing worldwide. Their effect on Monarch survival is unknown.
Help us understand the connection between the Oleander Aphid and Monarchs by documenting their presence on Milkweeds.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph Milkweed plants with Oleander Aphids and/or Monarchs anywhere in New York City.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many Milkweed plants with Oleander Aphids and/or Monarchs in New York City as possible by August 31.

Juicy July - July 2022
Rubus (Rosaceae) is a large, diverse genus that includes raspberries and blackberries. These plants, which often colonize disturbed areas, can be identified by their compound leaves and berries, shrubby habit, and prickles. Rubus species are an important seasonal food for many birds and mammals. There are more than 10 species found in New York City. How many can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph Rubus plants anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture leaves and berries.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many Rubus plants in New York City as possible by July 31.

Meet the Mints - June 2022
The Mint family (Lamiaceae) is a large group of plants that includes many aromatic species used by humans for food and medicine. They can be recognized by their scent, square stems, opposite leaves, and clusters of flowers with a large lower “lip.” More than 60 species have been observed growing wild in New York City. How many Mints can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
- Visit nybg.org/EcoQuest for more information about this activity.
- Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
- Photograph Mint plants anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture leaves and flowers.
- Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
- Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Help NYBG document as many Mint plants in New York City as possible by June 30.

Maianthemum May - May 2022
Maianthemum is a monocot genus including many spring-flowering forest herbs that prefer shaded, moist conditions. They are characterized by a zigzag stem in between alternating, simple leaves with parallel venation, and a terminal cluster of small white flowers.
There are 3 native species of Maianthemum found in New York City: M. racemosum (false Solomon’s seal), M. canadense (Canada mayflower), and the rarer M. stellatum (starry Solomon’s seal). How many can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
2. Photograph Maianthemum plants anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture flower clusters.
3. Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
4. Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).

Map Maple - April 2022
Maple (Acer) is an ecologically and economically important genus of trees that have distinctive palmate leaves and winged fruits. There are at least 12 species of Maple that can be found in New York City, including Norway Maple (A. platanoides), a common street tree; Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), the state tree of New York; and Boxelder (A. negundo), the only North American maple with compound leaves.
How many Maples can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
2. Photograph Maples anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture leaves and fruits.
3. Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
4. Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
More Information:

Pursue Prickly Plants - March 2022
Spines, prickles, and thorns are sharp structures produced by plants that provide protection against herbivores and help climbing plants attach to supporting objects. These structures are differentiated based on which part of the plant they develop from. There are many native and introduced trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs in New York City that have spines, prickles, and thorns.
How many different plants can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
2. Photograph plants anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture sharp structures such as spines, prickles, and thorns.
3. Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
4. Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).

Search for Birch - February 2022
Birches (Betula spp.) are small to medium-size trees and shrubs found in temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, used extensively for their wood and bark.
New York City is home to five native species of Betula, recognized in winter by their bark, buds, and scent. Betula populifolia (grey birch) and B. lenta (sweet birch) are common; three others are less often seen: B. nigra (river birch), B. alleghaniensis (yellow birch), and B. papyrifera (paper birch). How many Birches can you find?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
2. Photograph Birches anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture important winter characteristics such as bark and buds.
3. Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
4. Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
More Information:

Behold Bark, Buds, and Berries - January 2022
January is a great month to refine your winter botany skills by learning to recognize important dormant-season plant characteristics such as bark, buds, and persistent flower and fruit structures.
Previous winter-month EcoQuest Challenges provide many examples of common plants that can be identified in winter, representing diverse groups of native and invasive species, including cryptogams and gymnosperms as well as flowering plants (grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees).
How many species can you find this January?
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Download the iNaturalist app or register at iNaturalist.org.
2. Photograph plants anywhere in New York City. Make sure to capture important dormant-season characteristics, including bark, buds, and persistent flower and fruit structures.
3. Upload your observations to iNaturalist.
4. Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals, and keep a safe distance).
More information:
What are Lichens?
Guide to Pines of New York City
Hedera helix Information Guide
Guide to Euonymus (American Strawberry-Bush) of New York City
