Cankerweed, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (11/20/2012.) Scientific name is Prenanthes serpentaria. It is also known by the common names Lion’s Foot, Snakeweed, Earthgall, and Butterweed. Photo below was taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood County, NC, on Aug 1, 2011. Go to the Cankerweed detail page for more photos and information.
Cankerweed, Lion’s Foot, Snakeweed, Earthgall, Butterweed – Prenanthes serpentaria
Around 20 years ago when I planted a row of Bradford pear trees in front of my house, I thought I liked them. Now I’m thinking of replacing them, even though I still like them – occasionally. Those occasions are the 2 days in the spring while they bloom (OK, maybe it’s 3 days,) the week or so in the fall while they turn a beautiful red/purple/orange before dropping their leaves, and finally whenever the Cedar Waxwings show up to eat the berries. I still want to replace the trees, but it will have to be with something (native) that will continue to feed the Cedar Waxwings (wonder about Serviceberry.) This fall the arrival of these lovely birds coincided with the fall color of the leaves – reducing my time of appreciation for my Bradford pear trees. (Click on the photos for a larger view.)
Cedar Waxwing takes a Bradford pear berry
Mexican Hat, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (11/17/2012.) Scientific name is Ratibida columnifera. Photo below was taken in the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Meigs County, TN, on Nov 11, 2012. Go to the Mexican Hat detail page for more photos and information.
Mexican Hat, Long-Headed Coneflower, Red Coneflower, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Thimbleflower – Ratibida columnifera
Pale Evening Primrose, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (11/15/2012.) Scientific name is Oenothera pallida. Photo below was taken in the Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID on June 19, 2010. Go to the Pale Evening Primrose detail page for more photos and information.
Pale Evening Primrose, White Evening Primrose, Pale-Stemmed Evening Primrose – Oenothera pallida
Native Plant of the Day 11/12/2012
Photo from 9/1/2003. Location: Dawson County, GA
Southern Ground Cedar – for more photos / information go to the Lycopodium digitatum detail page.
It’s a bit of a stretch to call this a wildflower – it is actually classified as a Fern-ally – nearly a fern, but not.
Southern Ground Cedar, Fan Clubmoss – Diphasiastrum digitatum
In early September I did a Boundary Waters canoe trip with a couple of friends – great time with them, and great to get back after several years of absence. One of the plants I photographed was a large shrub with white berries. I hadn’t been able to identify it until recently, when I was browsing my copy of Idaho Mountain Wildflowers – A. Scott Earle
Red-osier Dogwood (Western Dogwood, American Dogwood) Berries
Hooker’s Thistle, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (11/09/2012.) Scientific name is Cirsium hookerianum. It is also known by the common name White Thistle. Photo below was taken in the Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID on June 21, 2011. Go to the Hooker’s Thistle detail page for more photos and information.
Hooker’s Thistle, White Thistle – Cirsium hookerianum
Raccoon Mountain is near Chattanooga Tennessee, and in the 1970’s TVA built a power storage system on the mountain – they pump water out of the Tennessee River during periods of low electricity usage, storing it in a reservoir at the top of the mountain, then use that water to turn turbines to generate electricity during period of high demand. But TVA has developed it, as with many of their properties, for some recreational uses, including hiking and mountain biking. But it’s also a really nice drive, with great view of the area. Much to my embarrasment, I’ve only been up on the top once or twice. Today was beautiful, and my wife and I spent a GREAT day driving, walking, and photographing the fall colors around Raccoon Mountain today. Here are a dozen photos.
First, a view from the reservoir dam looking across the gorge that many refer to as “The Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River.” As usual, click on the photo to go to Flickr where you can view a larger version.
Fall colors in the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River
Foothill Death Camas, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (11/04/2012.) Scientific name is Toxicoscordion paniculatum. Photo below was taken in the Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID on June 17, 2011. Go to the Foothill Death Camas detail page for more photos and information.
Foothill Death Camas, Foothills Deathcamas, Panicled Death Camas, Sand-corn – Toxicoscordion paniculatum
Western Blue Elder, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (10/30/2012.) Scientific name is Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea. Photo below was taken along the Kleinschmidt Grade, Adams County, ID on June 19, 2011. Go to the Western Blue Elder detail page for more photos and information.
Western Blue Elder, Blue Elderberry – Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea