Ninebark...

This plant is growing abundantly along northern rivers (but not into the adjacent woodlot which leads me to believe it likes damp feet). It appears to be Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) well ahead of its normal schedule beginning to produce fruit by late June. The common name derives from the fact that its bark sheds/peels over winter. This specimen was recorded on the Pigeon River nicely paired with switch grass. What appears to be flowers are actually seed pods. I had it confused with maple leafed viburnum dentatum which is similar in appearance. Pete Gustafson fired off an email to Mark Wetter of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Botany Department who identified it as Ninebark. For more information click on the link under Beyond Sixty Rivers in the right hand bar.