I've seen extensive beds of "feral" daylilies marking domestic sites at Fort Drum (after 60 years abandonment), and elsewhere in New York State.  Before seeing these, I had thought that daylilies were more southern, or midwestern, but they appear to have been fairly ubiquitous on rural doemstic sites during the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century.

I also remember, years ago in Massachusetts, being told that poison ivy was a marker for historic sites--it was propagated by the ground disturbance produced by occupation of the site.  It certainly was ubiquitous on some historic sites, and it did NOT improve excavation condidtions, for obvious reasons.  I haven't heard of PI being used in survey--probably something too terrible to contemplate.

D. Babson.

________________________________________
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda Stine [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Vegetation and Historic Sites

Thanks everyone for the info!  I see the same patterns and can add that
later farmsteads often have small yellow daffodils that come out really
early, also "cotton tuffs" that are an early version of spirea I think which
are white or pink flowered bushes, and the obligatory row of "tiger lilies"
in bright orange up the path or drive.  I also see a lot of nut and fruit
trees.  Anyone really know why cemeteries seem to always have red cedars?
Soil conditions?  Deliberate planting?  LFS

On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 11:21 AM, Webb, Paul (Chapel Hill,NC-US) <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Re this discussion, some of you might find this brochure by the Reviving
> Americas Food Traditions of interest:
>
> http://jeweloftheblueridge.com/Images/AppalachiaPlace-BasedFoods.pdf
>
> Paul
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda
> Derry
> Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 11:20 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Vegetation and Historic Sites
>
> Joe, how about giving us the first and last letter.  I'm dying to know.
>
> Linda Derry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe
> Dent
> Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:22 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Vegetation and Historic Sites
>
> Same but different trees (aside from black walnut) and plants in
> Appalachia. Day Lilly is especially prevalent around former home lots,
> particularly in vicinity of former privy. Locals still today in fact have
> special name for them in that context (propriety prevents me from repeating
> regional colloquial label for such).
>
> Joe Dent
> American University
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Smoke" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:11:06 AM
> Subject: Re: Vegetation and Historic Sites
>
> In Arkansas, we can often tell we are approching an historic site by
> the vegetation long before we actuall reach the site.  Large Walnut
> trees (food and shade), large White Oak shade trees, Persimmon,
> Catalba, Pecan, large Mullberry, Yucca, Jonquils, Day Lillies, Iris,
> Forscythia, Gooseberries, and Golden Rod are the most common.
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 5:20 PM, Brad Laffitte <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> > All:
> >
> > I am having trouble finding resources discussing vegetation commonly
> associated with historic sites in the Louisiana area or the southeast U.S.
>  I've seen resources briefly discussing vegetation patterning (e.g., rows of
> live oaks or non-native planted trees/shrubs may equal a homestead), but
> nothing with respect to specific vegetation types that can be tied or
> potentially tied to historic sites.
> >
> > If anyone is aware of anything on this subject please let me know.  My
> email is [log in to unmask]  Thanks.
> >
>
> --
> Smoke Pfeiffer
>
> Laws do not represent either reason or justice.
> They represent force.
>



--
Dr. Linda France Stine, RPA
336-256-1098
436 Graham Building