The black willow hardly ceases to shed its down when it looks yellowish.

August 12 . 

August 12, 2020
8:14 PM

The river-bank is past height.

The button bush is not common now, though the clethra is in prime.

The black willow hardly ceases to shed its down when it looks yellowish.

Setaria glauca, some days.

Elymus Virginicus, some days.

Andropogon furcatus (in meadow); how long? Probably before scoparius.

Zizania several days. 

AUGUST 12, 2017
5:49 PM

River at 5 P. M. three and three quarters inches below summer level.

Panicum glabrum (not sanguinale? — our common); how long? The upper glume equals the flower, yet it has many spikes. 


H. D. Thoreau, Journal, August 12, 1860



The clethra is in prime. See August 19, 1851 ("The fragrance of the clethra fills the air by water sides.")


The black willow hardly ceases to shed its down. See August 2, 1860 ("The black willow down is even yet still seen here and there on the water. ") See also  A Book of Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Propogation of the Black Willow.

Zizania several days. See August 14, 1859 ("The zizania now makes quite a show along the river. "); August 18, 1854 ("The zizania on the north side of the river near the Holt, or meadow watering-place, is very conspicuous and abundant.")

Panicum sanguinale — our common. See September 4, 1858 ("P. sanguinale, crab grass, finger grass, or purple panic grass.")