There once was a plant from Nantucket
Purple flowers so gorge they would pluck it
Blue-eyed grass is her name
A rare species they claim
So please don’t put in your bucket
Island Science
At the Center of an Economic Revolution
Did you know that there once was a tree that spiked an economic bubble in the US? And there are Nantucket ties with a legacy that we can still see (and visit) on the island today?
Pink Ladies of Nantucket
Right now is the perfect time to go on a hunt for one of Nantucket nature’s treasured beauties, the pink lady’s slipper orchid.
The pink lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) is Nantucket’s most popular orchid (or the one most often seen), likely because it is hard to miss when in bloom. As the name suggests, the bloom resembles a small, pink ballet slipper fit for a squirrel. This orchid is locally common with each plant growing a single f lower. These individual f lowers tend to grow in clusters, so where you see one, you may see several. This grouping lends itself to magical thinking, imagining a dancing troupe of forest creatures. And while this isn’t a fairy tale, there is something magical about orchids and where they grow. It’s nearly impossible to duplicate the conditions necessary to cultivate these lady slippers. That’s why seeing them in the wild along a trail can feel so special.
Atheneum Shares a World of Ideas with 2026 Geschke Series
Since 2005, the Geschke Series has brought some of the most distinguished voices in journalism, science, literature, education, and culture to the Nantucket Atheneum, continuing its legacy of thoughtful dialogue dating back to 1834. More than just a series of talks, the Geschke Series is a carefully curated intellectual experience. […]
A Special Plant with a Great Name
by Dr. Sarah Treanor Bois, PhDDirector of Research & Conservation at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation Nantucket is home to many rare plant species, but few bear its name. Nantucket Shadbush (Amelanchier nantucketensis) is a globally-rare shrub that was once thought to be limited to our island. This small shrub […]
Caterpillar Cacophony
It’s daffy season once again and Nantucketers and visitors alike celebrate this sure sign of spring. As the weather warms up, however, another sign of the season will emerge. Rather, they will hatch. I’m talking about one of my favorite native species, the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (ETC). I have written about the ETC before explaining the natural history and amazing ecology of the species. However, it’s worth mentioning again since this year will be a boom year.
Winter Beauty of Our Island’s Winterberry
The idea of “winter landscapes” on Nantucket can sometimes conjure up something dreary. Since we often lack the winter white blanket covering other parts of New England, barren branches and bitter winds can make for a seemingly inhospitable landscape.
Island Hunting Season
As fall arrives on our island, we welcome fewer people, crisp fall air, and the start of our hunting seasons. Hunting is a time-honored tradition, part of Nantucket’s cultural heritage just as fishing is. But it is also an important management tool for our conservation organizations and property owners.
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