Monthly Archives: May 2011

Venus’ Looking Glass – Triodanis perfoliata – Added to USWildflowers Database

Venus’ Looking Glass, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (05/30/2011.)  Scientific name is Triodanis perfoliata. Photo below was taken in the Estelle area of Pigeon Mountain in Walker County, GA on May 21, 2011.

Venus' Looking Glass, Clasping Bellwort, Roundleaved Triodanis - Triodanis perfoliata

Venus’ Looking Glass, Clasping Bellwort, Roundleaved Triodanis – Triodanis perfoliata

My wife reminded me that I was photographing these wildflowers while our 15th grandchild, Nehemiah Phoenix Perkins, was being born. In my defense, Niam, as they call him, was being born half a continent away. We’ll get to see him soon. 🙂

Southern Stoneseed – Lithospermum tuberosum – Added to USWildflowers Database

Southern Stoneseed, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (05/29/2011.)  Scientific name is Lithospermum tuberosum.   It is also known by the common names Tuberous Stoneseed and Tuberous Gromwell.  Photo below was taken on Pigeon Mountain in Walker County, GA on April 2, 2011 while  Jay Clark, author of Wildflowers of Pigeon Mountain, was showing me some wildflower locations.

Southern Stoneseed, Tuberous Stoneseed, Tuberous Gromwell - Lithospermum tuberosum

Southern Stoneseed, Tuberous Stoneseed, Tuberous Gromwell - Lithospermum tuberosum

Black Cohosh – Cimicifuga racemosa – Added to USWildflowers Database

Black Cohosh, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (05/28/2011.)  Scientific name is Cimicifuga racemosa.   It is also known by the common names Black Bugbane, Black Baneberry, Black Snakeroot, and Fairy Candle.  Photo below was taken at Reflection Riding in Hamilton County, TN on May 27, 2011. 

Black Cohosh, Black Bugbane - Cimicifuga racemosa

Black Cohosh, Black Bugbane - Cimicifuga racemosa

Butterfly #WingsOnWednesday

I spent about half of last Saturday (05/21/2011) checking out the wildflowers in the Blue Hole area of Pigeon Mountain, and then a quick run down to the creek below the Civil War Wayside in the Estelle area.  This butterfly was enjoying some late morning nectar.  Unfortunately I don’t know either the butterfly species or the wildflower species; most likely one of the Rubus species.  Any help with either would be greatly appreciated.

Butterfly on Rubus
Butterfly on Rubus

 

Field Madder – Sherardia arvensis – Added to USWildflowers Database

Field Madder, a non-native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (05/19/2011.)  Scientific name is Sherardia arvensis.  I don’t find an  invasive species listing for this plant, but based on my observation I would use extreme caution in propagating the plant or allowing it to grow in your yard or garden.  It’s also known by the common names Blue Fieldmadder and Spurwort.  Photo below was taken in Walker County, GA on April 21, 2011.

Field Madder, Blue Fieldmadder, Spurwort - Sherardia arvensis

Field Madder, Blue Fieldmadder, Spurwort - Sherardia arvensis

They’re Ba-ack #Cicadas #Insects #WingsOnWednesday

In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are back. If you haven’t heard, either you don’t live in the area of their emergence, or you haven’t stepped outside recently. They are making their presence known with their loud and nearly incessant buzzing.  The buzzing is done by what comes out of this shell – read on for more.

13-year Cicada - Magicicada sp.

13-year Cicada - Magicicada sp.

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