As expected with this warm weather, we’ve added a few species to what are blooming at The Pocket. As I was hoping, Carolina Spring Beauty are now pretty widespread. While 9 species are a far cry from the 40 that may be blooming at peak, we’ve got to remember, this is mid-February!
Carolina Spring Beauty – Claytonia caroliniana
As expected, the Hepatica were still blooming at the Pocket – they were starting to bloom the last few days of January, but after all, it is just mid-February. Also as expected, Harbinger-of-spring was blooming. Not surprisingly, Star Chickweed was blooming, but I was surprised that with the other plants in bloom, I didn’t find Toothwort in flower (although I did find one with buds.) But there were two other surprises for me, these on the positive side.
Look what was poking up through the leaves along the boardwalk:
Bloodroot at The Pocket – on Feb 12!
Creeping Oregon Grape – Native Plant of the Day 02/11/2017
Photo from June 15, 2010. Location: Ada County, ID.
More photos / info at the Mahonia repens detail page.
Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping Barberry – Mahonia repens
Long-styled Gladecress, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (02/10/2017.) Scientific name is Leavenworthia stylosa. Photo below was taken in the Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area in Davidson County, TN on March 30, 2016. Go to the Long-styled Gladecress detail page for more information and photos.
Long-styled Gladecress – Leavenworthia stylosa
Blue-bead lily – Native Plant of the Day 02/03/2017
Photo from 6/18/2005. Location: GSMNP – Clingman’s Dome.
More photos / info at the Clintonia borealis detail page.
Blue-bead Lily, Yellow Corn Lily, Yellow Clintonia – Clintonia borealis
My wife and I made a trip down to the Pocket on Tuesday, 1/31/2017. With the warm winter we’ve had, I was not going to be surprised to find something blooming – and it was! There were dozens of Hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) blooming along the boardwalk. I expected to find Harbinger-of-spring (Erigenia bulbosa) blooming as well, but none were to be found.
Here’s a photo of one of the Hepatica:
Hepatica – Anemone acutiloba – blooming at The Pocket on 1/31/2017
Stansbury’s Cliffrose, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (01/31/2017.) Scientific name is Purshia stansburiana. Photo below was taken along the South Rim in the Grand Canyon National Park on October 12, 2016. Go to the Stansbury’s Cliffrose detail page for more information and photos.
Stansbury’s Cliffrose – Purshia stansburiana
Orange Coneflower – Native Plant of the Day 01/25/2017
Photo from Oct 15, 2009. Location: The Pocket, Walker County, GA.
More photos / info at the Rudbeckia fulgida detail page.
Orange Coneflower – Rudbeckia fulgida
Eastern Shooting Star, a native species, has been added to the USWildflowers database (1/23/2017.) Scientific name is Dodecatheon meadia. Photo below was taken in White Oak Sinks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on April 20, 2016. Go to the Eastern Shooting Star detail page for more information and photos.
Eastern Shooting Star – Dodecatheon meadia
Hooker’s Thistle – Native Plant of the Day 01/08/2017
Photo from 6/21/2011. Location: Boise Foothills, Ada County, ID.
More photos / info at the Cirsium hookerianum detail page.
NOTE: A comment (below) from Bruce Bennett put my 5-year-old identification of this plant as Cirsium hookerianum in question. While I haven’t yet had time to research my reason for discounting other white-flowered thistles, some quick research on Bruce Bennett’s credentials implies that he can speak with some authority pertaining to plants in the area, making his identification of this plant as Cirsium undulatum (Wavy-leaf Thistle) almost certainly correct. Thank you, Bruce!
Hooker’s Thistle, White Thistle – Cirsium hookerianum