aka Threadleaf Coreopsis, Tickseed; Coreopsis verticillata; Asteraceae (aster family)
Granted, not the best picture ever, but I wanted to post about it because this plant is actually a common garden plant – and a native. It’s readily available in commercial garden centers, is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, attracts butterflies and birds, has fine-textured dark green foliage and long-lasting perky yellow flowers… what’s not to love?
aka Basil Bee-Balm, White Bergamot, White Bee-Balm, White Basil Balm… Monarda clinopodia; Lamiaceae (mint family)
Despite the word “bergamot” in one of the common names, this species (and others in this genus) has absolutely nothing in common with the oil that flavors your cup of Earl Grey tea (that comes from a citrus fruit). Many Native American tribes used Monarda species for medicinal teas, though.
Seventeen native species of Monarda can be found in various parts of the continental US. Basil Balm ranges from Vermont south to Georgia and west to Missouri, though it is endangered in New York and New Jersey. It grows 3-4 feet tall and is an important food source for bees. Butterflies like it, too.
Ardea herodias
…for no other reason than I finally got a half-decent picture of one. Great blue herons are very common along the Potomac River; you have to try hard not to see one. But beautiful birds nonetheless.
Cephalanthus occidentalis; Rubiaceae (madder family)
The flower show is really slowing now. I’m lucky to see one new thing every three days. Was quite happy to have stumbled upon this shrub in an area I don’t like exploring (mostly weedy, lots of invasives, lots of poison ivy).
Buttonbush grows in wetalnds across eastern North America and some parts of the West. It can reach 12 feet in height, has long-lasting blossoms, and seeds that are a valuable food source for wildlife.
Once again I’m left to wonder why we don’t see more interesting native plants in cultivation.
Saururus cernuus; Saururuaceae (lizard tail family)
From the towpath I looked into the deep shade of a barely-dry vernal pond and saw hundreds of white plumes floating above a mass of green:
I figured it was lizard’s tail, but wanted to get a closer look (and some pics, natch), so I scrambled down a loose rock slide (very careful not to trod on any plants), thinking something like “this is probably great snake habitat”. Got some pics – even at ISO 6400 many were still woefully underexposed – and started to scramble back up the rocks. Heard a rustle. No big deal, hear that all the time. Had a look. Two very thick coils of black. Was getting the camera up when the thing hissed at me.
Pretty sure it was an eastern hog-nosed snake, but honestly I didn’t stick around long enough to get a better look. No pictures, either. If only I’d known that it likes to hiss and play dead, without biting… oh well.
Elizabeth's Wildflower Blog 