My Life in Plants

This volume includes the legumes (Fabaceae) the euphorbs, dogwoods, geraniums, nightshadesand members of the coffee family.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Volume 2
2. Fabaceae
3. Melastomataceae
4. Myrtaceae
5. Onagraceae
6. Polygalaceae
7. Surianaceeae
8. Vitaceae
9. Zygophyllaceae
10. Rhamnaceae
11. Celestraceae
12. Oxalidaceae
13. Rhizophoraceae
14. Euphorbiaceae
15. Chrsobalanaceae
16. Linaceae
17. Ximeniaceae
18. Comandraceae
19. Viscaceae
20. Simmondsiaceae
21. Cornaceae
22. Anacardiaceae
23. Apiaceae
24. Araliaceae
25. Geraniaceae
26. Sapindaceae
27. Apocynaceae
28. Convolvulaceae
29. Gelsemiaceae
30. Gentianceae
31. Loganaceae
32. Solanaceae
33. Boraginaceae
34. Fouquieriaceae
35. Heliotropiaceae
36. Hydrophyllaceae
37. Namaceae
38. Polemoniaceae
39. Lamiaceae
40. Oleaceace
41. Verbenaceae
42. Plantaginaceae
43. Scrophulariaceae
44. Linderniaceae
45. Phrymaceae
46. Orobanchaceae
47. Acanthaceae
48. Aquifoliaceae
49. Bignoniaceae
50. Campanulaceae
51. Caprifoliaceae
52. Goodeniaceae
53. Lentibulariaceae
54. Linnaeaceae
55. Rubiaceae
56. Valerianaceae
57. Viburnaceae
58. References Cited

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Volume 2

Volume 2 picks up after the rose family in volume one and starts out with the rather large family of plants - the Fabacaeae - or legume family.  

Again, as much as possible, I’ve followed the evolutionary development of angiosperms (and that of Flora of North America).  Again, as you might guess, with DNA analysis, there has been significant revisions of species, genera and even families since I once practiced botany as a profession.

This volume ends with the viburnum family of plants and from there, we head to volume 3.  The layout and format is the same as volume 1.

Also as before, I’m sure there are some misidentifications of plants.  There will also be some errors in the text even though I have proofed the volume very closely.  It reminds me of how many times I read and re-read my thesis and how many times Dr. Pullen did the same.  After it was published, I opened it up midway and immediately noticed a spelling error that we had both overlooked. Hopefully, there will not be too many to distract from the volume. 

Chapter 2

Fabaceae

The Encyclopaedia Britiannica states this family is the third largest family of plants in the world, with 700 genera and 20,000 species,  just behind the orchid family and the aster family. Although Flora of North America has not published their volume on Fabaceae, they list 164 genera within the family.  There is no count as of yet as to the number of species.

As for me, in my graduate school days, I collected 22 genera and 46 species in Tishomingo State Park.¹  In recent travels, I found 45 genera and 81 species.  

Years ago, when I began my graduate studies, this family was also known as the Leguminosae - the legumes.  Members of this family include some of the most commercially important plants on earth: soybeans, beans, peas, peanuts, alfalfa, clovers, etc.  

A large number of this family have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria located in nodules on the roots of these plants.  Plants and animals cannot use atmospheric nitrogen.  Instead, we are dependent upon bacteria and blue-green algae to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrites and nitrates - a form which we can utilize.  Plants also require nitrites and nitrates for growth.

For this reason, a lot of leguminous crops are planted in rotation with other crops in order to put nitrates and nitrites back into the soil - in other words, to provide fertilizer.  

In the Fabaceae, the leaves are often either trifoliate (three leaflets) or pinnately compound.  The flowers may be irregular and in some cases, highly modified into what we recognize as a “pea” flower.  That flower has bilateral symmetry and is composed of a dorsal “banner” petal, two “wing” petals, and two “keel” petals.  The keel petals may or may not be fused.  

Abrus precatorius L.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius L.)

If you ever saw the movie Blue Lagoon with Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, you saw the rosary pea when they attempted suicide.  The seeds (the pea) contain the toxin abrin. A single pea can be fatal if chewed and ingested. 

The movie was released in 1980.  Around 1987, I began taking students to Archbold Biological Station near Venus, Florida and saw it for the first time growing close to the buildings at the station.  It was one of the first plants I warned students about and used the movie as an example.  At that time, most had seen the movie, but like most things, over the years fewer and fewer students had seen the movie and I lost that analogy for my lectures.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their Plants Database show the vine growing in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.  I assume the common name comes from the ability to make rosaries from the seeds.

Acacia constricta A. Gray

Whitethorn (Acacia constricta A. Gray)

This is also known as Vachellia constricta by some authorities, but I’ll stick with Acacia until Flora of North America publishes volume 10 on Fabaceae.  The USDA reports it in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and strangely, Maryland and Virginia where Wikipedia calls it a disjunct population.  It is really a southwestern species.

If you notice, it looks a little like mimosa flowers.  The Fabaceae are broken down into major groups based on floral anatomy and leaf structure and the mimosa group is common.

The leaves are distinctly evenly pinnate (an even number of leaflets) and, as I remember, rather thick.  

Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC.

Alyce Clover (Alysicarpus vaginalis (L.) DC.)

This is one tiny flower.  I used my macro lens to capture this image.  It is not native to the U.S. but has been introduced.  

If you go visit Shark Valley in Everglades National Park, you’ll find that a certain times of the year, the parking lot is insufficient to handle the influx of tourists.  Probably more people out of the state have heard of Shark Valley than inside the state.  When the lot fills up, you’ll be asked to park along Tamiami Trail (SW 8th Street, or as we know it, Calle Ocho).  You have a short hike into the park.  

I was walking back to my truck and stumbled across this growing along the shoulder of the park loop road.  

If you go to Shark Valley, I encourage you to take the tram tour (or you can rent a bicycle).  The tram takes you to the tower which overlooks the valley.  It’s called Shark Valley because of the abundance of fossilized shark’s teeth in the ground.  

Overlook at Shark Valley

Be careful at the overlook.  At the base will be a large number of alligators.  They look fake.  The ranger tells the story of the couple from Asia that thought they were fake and were about to put their baby on the back of one for a photo op.  The ranger stopped them just in time.

Shark Valley is one of the best areas in the U.S. for bird watching.  My colleague at the college, Chris, used to volunteer at the park and he’s got some excellent photographs of birds from Shark Valley.  

A word about the specific epithet.  Apparently Georgia O’Keeffe wasn’t the first person to draw the analogy between flowers and female reproductive structures.

Amorpha canescens Pursh

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens Pursh)

This plant is the epitome of the color purple to me.  It is also a very intense purple.

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens Pursh)

Wikipedia suggests the name comes from the “leaden” color of the leaflets.  This is perhaps shown better in the first photo.  The leaflets have a dense layer of hairs on the surfaces.  

It grows as a small shrub. The USDA shows it mostly in the midwest U.S. and Canada. I found it at Custer State Park in South Dakota but also, although not reported by the USDA, at Blue Spring State Park in Florida.

Astragalus agrestis G. Don

Cock’s Head (Astragalus agrestis G. Don)

Although this one is commonly called cock’s head, the genus as a whole is commonly called milkvetches.  According to the Biota North American Program’s North American Plant Atlas (NAPA), there are only five (by my count) species found east of the Mississippi River and that’s out of 694 species.  This is a western plant. 

Cock’s Head (Astragalus agrestis G. Don)

Cock’s Head (Astragalus agrestis G. Don)

A. agrestis is fairly widespread and even extends into Iowa and Illinois.  This photo was taken along the Ridgeline Trail of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, south unit. 

A lot of the members of this genus have very pubescent leaves, particularly on the lower surfaces of the leaflets.  

The species are not easy to identify.  You often need the fruit (legumes) for positive identification.  Most of my identifications are based upon plant checklists for the area as well as descriptions and photos in field guides to the areas.

Astragalus amphioxys A.Gray

Crescent Milkvetch (Astragalus amphioxys A.Gray)

I thought this a particular attractive milkvetch and one of the first ones I found out west.  This was photographed near the Windows in Arches National Park.  Note the curved fruits (legumes) in the right foreground and you can see how it gets the common name “crescent.”  

NAPA shows this mostly in the desert southwestern U.S.  

Tauck pulled Nancy, Michel and me out on their “dawn patrol” at Arches.  I have to admit, it’s a great time to view the park.  You beat the heat, see a beautiful sunrise, and are back in time for breakfast.

This formation at Arches is known as “The Windows” and also as “The Spectacles”.  I think I prefer spectacles.  

We had a pretty nice sunrise that morning.

Astragalus desperatus M.E.Jones

Rimrock Vetch (Astragalus desperatus M.E.Jones)

One of the reasons I like milkvetches is because they often grow sparsely as a tight clump and are easily found.  (I’m a lazy botanist.)  This particular species was very common on the “Spirit of the Desert Southwest” tour. 

NAPA shows it restricted to four states in the desert southwest: Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. My photographs are all from Utah. 

My first view of this was Grand View Overlook at Canyonlands National Park.  The second was a little further west along the Capitol Gorge Road at Capitol Reef National Park.  That purple of the flowers really stands out against the background of bare soil.

Rimrock Vetch (Astragalus desperatus M.E.Jones)

The seed pods are slightly curved and inflated and covered in hairs.

Rimrock Vetch (Astragalus desperatus M.E.Jones)

The drive along Capitol Gorge Road was one of the most spectacular I’ve made in all my trips.  The milkvetch was growing alongside the road and I pulled over and dodged what little traffic there was to get the photo.  I wonder why the specific name “desperatus?”

Astragalus gilviflorus Shelton

Plains Milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus Shelton), south unit

I found this in two locations of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and it seemed to have two different growth forms.  This photo is a looser form than the other and it may have been due to its location.  This was on the Boicourt Trail, south unit.

Plains Milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus Shelton), north unit

This photo was taken on the Oxbow Overlook of the north unit. This was far more exposed to the elements than the first.  That could be the difference in the two.  A close examination of the flowers showed the same features of both.

Plains Milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus Shelton), south unit

These have a purple keel petal and you can see the trifoliate leaves covered in tiny hairs.Plains Milkvetch (Astragalus gilviflorus Shelton), north unit

This one has the same colored keel petal albeit more reddish purple.  It also has the same trifoliate leaves with silky hairs although the leaflets are a little broader.  

I think this is a good example of how environmental conditions can lead to distinct differences. 

My first view of this came by jeep when I pulled into the parking lot for the overlook and walked a short distance to the view of the oxbow.  Later that day, I hiked into the area from Caprock Coulee Trail, a 4.1 mile loop.  As I hiked the trail, I met several hikers whose one comment seemed to be watch out for ticks.  Sure enough, I pulled about three of them off me before I finished the loop.

Astragalus miguelensis Greene

San Miguel Island Locoweed (Astragalus miguelensis Greene)

This is a very large milkvetch.  Contrary to its common name, I found it on Santa Cruz Island of the Channel Islands.  

San Miguel Island Locoweed (Astragalus miguelensis Greene)

Calflora (a website to report plant observations in California) shows one location for the plant in Santa Barbara County and the other locations are all in the Channel Islands National Park.

San Miguel Island Locoweed (Astragalus miguelensis Greene)

The leaves (and leaflets) are densely covered with tiny hairs.  The legumes are much inflated, very much like a bladder.  I was hiking back to the harbor from Cavern Point and saw this growing on the hillside.  

A word about loco weed.  Wikipedia reports that any plant which produces the phytotoxin (plant toxin) swainsonine is considered a loco weed.  It is most commonly found in the genus Astragalus and Oxytropis. Not all species of Astragalus contain the compound nor, I assume, Oxytropis.

Astragalus missouriensis Nutt.

Missouri Milkvetch (Astragalus missouriensis Nutt.)

This is not a showy milkvetch.  I had to look for the flowers.  From the name, you might deduce, correctly, it’s from the middle of the U.S. and Canada.  

Missouri Milkvetch (Astragalus missouriensis Nutt.)

I found the flowers in clusters of threes.  I’m not sure that is a characteristics but, for this plant, it was the norm for this plant.  

Missouri Milkvetch (Astragalus missouriensis Nutt.)

As you can see, the flowers vary from deep purple to milky white( also note there are four blooms).  Both plants were growing within sight of each other on the Caprock Coulee Trail of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, north unit.  

Caprock Coulee Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, north unit.

It was here I started to meet people warning me of ticks.

Astragalus newberryi A.Gray

Newberry’s Milkvetch (Astragalus newberryi A. Gray)

I was driving to Hidden Canyon Ranch (it really was hidden) for my stay and visit to Great Basin National Park when I saw this growing on the side of a cliff.  It was low enough on the cliff for me to get a photo and there was no traffic to worry about.  I stopped the jeep and snapped a few quick pics.  

Newberry’s Milkvetch (Astragalus newberryi A. Gray)

This is probably the hairiest milkvetch I’ve come across in my travels.  You almost can’t see the leaflets for the hairs.  To me, the flowers look more like snapdragon flowers than legumes.  

NAPA reports it distributed throughout the western U.S. 

Astragalus praelongus E. Shield

Stinking Milkvetch (Astragalus praelongus E. Shield)

I’m not sure it stinks because I didn’t stop to smell the flowers.  Notice the inflated legumes.  This was growing along the Chimney Rock Trail of Capitol Reef National Park.  

NAPA reports this from Texas, west to Nevada.  Southwest Colorado Wildflowers says it picks up selenium from the soil which is described as “fetid” in aroma.  Simply touching the plant can release the stink.

Chimney Rock Trail is a steep climb at first but once you get to the top of the mesa, it’s a great view of the park.

Astragalus oophorus var. caulescens (M.E.Jones) M.E.Jones

Egg Milkvetch (Astragalus oophorus var. caulescens (M.E.Jones) M.E.Jones)

This is from Devil’s Overlook of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  I assume the common name comes from either the eggy looking flowers or that the fruit may be egg shaped. Images of the fruit I’ve seen looks more oblong than oval.

Egg Milkvetch (Astragalus oophorus var. caulescens (M.E.Jones) M.E.Jones)

Then again, it may be due to the shape of the leaflets of the plant.  Notice the apical notch in each leaflet.  

Devil’s Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The overlook does, indeed, look quite devilish.  It’s also a very long way down from the overlook.

Astragalus zionis M.E.Jones

Zion Milkvetch (Astragalus zionis M.E. Jones)

I’m still amazed at the number of species indigenous to Zion National Park.  NAPA does report it in other locations in Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.  This one was not in flower but the legumes were enough to make the identification - that an its location in Zion National Park.

Zion Milkvetch (Astragalus zionis M.E. Jones)

One of the characteristics is the mottling of the legumes as well as their curved shapes.  Also not the apex of the leaflets with an acuminate (see glossary) tip.  

This was growing along the roadside of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.  

Baptisia alba (L.) Vent.

Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba (L.) Vent.)

NAPA shows 15 species and 8 hybrids for the genus Baptisia.  According to Wikipedia, several plants contain a compound related to the dye indigo.  B. alba contains a dye similar to indigo but this is not the plant from which true indigo is derived although it can be used to dye objects blue.

Wild Indigo (Baptisia alba (L.) Vent.)

It’s hard to tell in this photograph because the nodes of the plant are so close together but the leaves are trifoliate (three leaflets per leaf).  This is a tall plant.  It was so tall that it fell over and the bloom was at ground level.  

I was just finishing my hike along the Wolfden Loop Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs when I came across this single plant growing in the woods.  Normally, where I find this plant is growing in waste places and open areas but this was deep in the woods. Originally, this plant was classified as B. leucantha but it has since been renamed B. alba.

Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.

Gray Nicker Bean (Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.)

This is reported by NAPA to be found in Texas, Louisiana and Florida with 10 species in North America and three restricted to Florida: C. crista, C. major, and C. pauciflora.  The Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and their Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants reports five species in Florida but does not list them.  The Atlas of Florida Plants published by the Institute for Systematic Botany list two species in Florida. Since it is listed with invasive plants by IFAS, I assume it is considered one.

Gray Nicker Bean (Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.)

What drew me to the plant were the seed pods which are quite large and with hundreds of projections on their surfaces.  Where it gets the “gray” part of the common name, I have no idea.

The leaves are technically thrice evenly pinnately compound.  A single leaf may be three feet long.

This was photographed at Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key, Florida.  As a Mississippi boy, I had never seen anything like this.

Calliandra eriophylla (Benth.) Shehbaz

Fairyduster, Mesquitilla (Calliandra eriophylla (Benth.) Shehbaz)

There are two things that would make you think this is in the Fabaceae: the leaves look like tiny mimosa leaves and the flowers certainly are mimosa-like.  This stands out like a sore thumb in dry desert environments like the Sonoran desert where I found this. It was part of the Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District growing along side the road.  I found a pull over and hiked back to the plant to get the photo.  It looks a little the worse for wear but who wouldn’t in that desert heat?

Fairyduster, Mesquitilla (Calliandra eriophylla (Benth.) Shehbaz)

NAPA shows 10 species in North America but only six are indicated on the atlas maps.  I can only assume the other four are unconfirmed reports. C. eriophylla is the most widespread of the six mapped species.

Does anyone know why you would need to dust a fairy?

Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC.

Bay Bean (Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC.

At first, the trifoliate leaves of this plant and the vine growth reminded me of an old favorite kudzu.  Like kudzu which has a raceme of flowers, the bay bean also produces a raceme but the flowers are so spread apart it appears that are solitary in the axils of leaves.  

Bay Bean (Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC.

The seed pods are longer than wide and appear inflated (none were found on the plants I photographed) and reports are they can be carried out to sea to further the distribution of the plant. That makes sense since I photographed it beach side of Bahia Honda State Park.

Centrosema virginianum (L.) Bentham

Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum (L.) Bentham)

This is a very large flower.  I would say it’s larger than a silver dollar.  It’s a very attractive vine. I remember the first time I saw it in Mississippi.  It’s fairly widespread throughout the southeastern U.S.  I’ve run into it numerous times over the years and it’s always a treat to find. This particular photo was taken on the Sand Hill Trail at Silver Springs State Park.

Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum (L.) Bentham

The leaves are trifoliate.  The banner petal, unusually, is found on the bottom of this flower.  

Silver Springs State Park is divided into two sections. One is like all state parks with visitor center, camping areas, cabins, and hiking trails. The second section is the old tourist trap with the glass bottom boats.  It’s considered Florida’s first tourist attraction.  These boats have pretty much run continuously since the 1870’s when the attraction first started.  The tourist attraction finally went out of business  (Disney World competition, I guess) and the state purchased the property in the 1980’s.  

I stopped back by Silver Springs from one of my trips to Warm Springs, Georgia.  My Dad was stationed at Camp Blanding before WWII and he apparently made a side trip to Silver Springs when on leave.  Here’s the photo of the glass bottom boat at Silver Springs, pre-WWII.  

 

The boats are still there.

Cercidium microphyllum (Torrey) Rose & I.M. Johnston

Yellow Paloverde (Cercidium microphyllum (Torrey) Rose & I.M. Johnston)

I had heard of paloverde before but never seen it.  This was on the Desert Discover Nature Trail at Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District.  The Plant List has Parkinsonia microphylla as the synonym for this plant whereas Flora of North America in their prepublication list has it as the actual name.  I’ll wait until the publication of volumes 10 and 11 to make the final determination.

Notice how green the branches are.  That indicates that photosynthesis takes place in the trunk and branches.   Wikipedia points out that the pinnate leaves fall off in dry times and that means something has to take up the slack for photosynthesis.  That’s not too terribly unusual in the plant kingdom.  Another example is Psilotum nudum, or whisk fern.  There are no true leaves on that plant and it is the stem that is photosynthetic.

Cercis canadensis L.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)

This was one of the first trees I learned to recognize, along with dogwoods.  In the spring of the year, my grandmother and I would ride out to Roosevelt State Park outside Morton, Mississippi to see the redbuds and dogwoods in bloom.  This was always around Easter.  The tree has distinctive leaves and bark and the flowers are prolific on the tree in the spring.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)

They have the classic banner, wings, keel shape to them with the stigma projecting past the stamens.  They produce the classic “bean” pod as fruit, albeit much flattened.

This photo was taken in, for me, an unusual place.  It was growing along the roadside as I made my way to Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.  

More unusual was the snow on the ground at Lassen but not on the road to the park.  It’s like crossing over from early spring into the dead of winter.

Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasiculata (Michx.) Greene)

The common name partridge pea applies to a lot of species in the Fabaceae but this genus and species is one of the most common in the southeastern U.S.  NAPA shows 13 species in North America and two more unconfirmed sightings.  

This particular one was at Archbold Biological Station near Venus, Florida along their nature trail.  It was growing in a recently cut over section in boggy conditions.  

If you look carefully at the upper right leaf of the previous photo, you should notice two things: persistent stipules at the base of the leaf and a pair of glands on the petiole.  

Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasiculata (Michx.) Greene)

When mature, the legume turns brown.  You can see the individual places to find the seed within the legume.  Also, note the leaflets are acuminate on their tips.

Chapmannia floridana Torr. & A.Gray

Chapman’s Pea, Alicia (Chapmannia floridana Torr. A.Gray)

According to NAPA, there is only one species and it is restricted in distribution to Florida, so it comes by the specific epithet honestly. This was abundant in the woods of Silver Springs State Park (not the tourist area).  I found it growing on both the Sink Hole Trail and the Sand Hill Trail.  In the previous photo you can see the abundant glands on the stem of the plant.

Chapman’s Pea, Alicia (Chapmannia floridana Torr. A.Gray)

The leaves are basal and if any are on the stem, they are much reduced.  It’s a tall plant - around head high.  

Chapman’s Pea, Alicia (Chapmannia floridana Torr. A.Gray)

The wing petals are very large in this flower, more so than usual in the Fabaceae.  

            Sinkhole Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Florida

If you are looking for a nice, level trail to walk, Sinkhole Trail is it.  The only problem is that at certain times of the year, the Silver Springs River floods the low lying areas of the park and they are off limits.  It’s always best to check with the park before hand.

Silver Springs River at Silver Springs State Park

The water here is crystal clear. To find this spot, hike or bike the River Trail to the place they launch canoes in the park.

Clitoria mariana L.

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana L.)

Who says botanists don’t have a sense of humor?  Literally, Mary’s clitoris, the plant was named because of the resemblance to the female vulva.  The common name butterfly pea is the same as Centrosema virginianum.  

 Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana L.)

This, like Centrosema is a very large flower and it readily catches your attention as you walk through the woods.  

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana L.)

These photos were taken along the Sinkhole Trail and River Trail of Silver Springs State Park.  However, I have found it pretty much everywhere in the southeastern U.S.

Crotalaria pallida Aiton

Smooth Rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida Aiton)

Now that’s a banner petal!  Look at the blood red lines and how they look against that yellow background.  Rattlebox gets its name from the mature fruit.  When dry, the seeds “rattle” around inside the legume.  The sound is very pronounced and you can hear the rattle from a short distance as the plant blows in the breeze.

Smooth Rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida Aiton)

The leaves are trifoliate and the plant gets rather tall - around 2-3 feet.  

Smooth Rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida Aiton)

The seed pod is hairy at first but it may lose the hairs as it matures.  The pod is elongated and will eventually turn brown.  These photos were taken along the nature trail of Archbold Biological Station.

Crotalaria spectabilis Roth

Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth)

This is indeed a showy plant but I prefer the flowers of smooth rattlebox to this one.  It can grow head high and the raceme of flowers is like a flower wand sticking up from the plant.  

I photographed this in the Big Cypress Preserve.  As you head west on the Tamiami Trail, just past Shark Valley there is a pull off for the Old Tamiami Trail.  That leads to a loop road through the little community of Pinecrest.  There are plenty of places to pull off the road and explore and that’s why my friend Pat and I did in March of 2013.   

We did have to share the area with this goofy looking guy.  I’d say he was about six and one half feet long.

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub.

Coin Vine (Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub.)

I almost missed this - it was growing as a vine on a tree - and then when I saw it, I had no idea as to what family it belonged.  The flowers are very small and, at first glance, do not look like a member of the Fabaceae.

Coin Vine (Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub.)

There are four species mapped at NAPA and one is simply a report with no location.  The other  three species are found in Florida and D. sissoo is also found in Arizona.

This was photographed along the nature trail at Secret Woods Nature Center.  There is a nice, long boardwalk along the south fork of the New River.  I took the photo from the boardwalk.

Dalea candida Willd.

White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida Willd.)

I am more familiar with the purple species of Dalea, D. purpurea.  You never know when you run into a plant that the flower color may just be a variant but there are enough botanists that consider this to be a separate species.  

I photographed this at Devil’s Tower National Monument - of Close Encounters of the Third Kind fame.  I’ve always thought it interesting that people “discovered” Devil’s Tower through the movie. It’s not like it hasn’t been sitting there for millions of years.  I was on a trip with Michel and Nancy in July 2013.  They decided to play golf near Rapid City, S.D.  and I decided to drive to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.  I hiked around the base - it does take time - and I was surprised how you could climb anywhere you like on the tower without much interference from park personnel.  

There were plenty of people rappelling down the side but this blew me away - free climbing the tower.  He was about three quarters of the way up.  It’s amazing we survive childhood, much less youth.

Dalea purpurea Vent.

Purple Prairie Flower (Dalea purpurea Vent.)

This was also along the trail around Devil’s Tower.  In my thinking, the purple species is more attractive.  The leaf type is pretty much the same and the only real difference in my mind is the color of the flowers on the head.  

It took me a while to wrap my mind around the concept of a head of flowers.  It is sometimes used rather loosely in botany but there are times that it has a very specific meaning as in the plant and in all members of the aster family.

Eysenhartia texana Scheele

Texas Kidneywood (Eysenhartia texana Scheele)

What caught my attention with this plant was not the flowers but the leaves.  They were very stiff and firm and all the leaflets on leaf were fairly small.

I found this at the top of a 490 foot climb to a a ridge at Lost Maples State Natural Area.  I was tired and had a hard time getting my camera to focus (or my eyes) and it took several shots before I got one that I could use.   

I knew it was in the Fabaceae but that was about it.  I later was able to identify it in a local field guide.  NAPA reports this as restricted to the state of Texas, which considering the common name, is apt.  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center states the common name comes from the idea that it was used to treat kidney and bladder maladies.

The waters are not as clear as they once were but you can still see very well.  Unfortunately, invasive algae are taking over the bottom.

Erythrina herbacea L.

Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea L.)

What a red flag!  This will get your attention no matter the background.  Although Wikipedia describes this as a small shrub or tree I’ve only seen it in a perennial herb form.  

Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea L.)

The leaves are trifoliate and the leaflets are triangular or arrow-head shaped.  If you look carefully at the stem of the flowers, you may be able to see curved spines.

Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea L.)

To me, the flowers only remotely resemble a leguminous flower.  The banner petal is the most obvious.  I don’t remember ever seeing it as a graduate student in Mississippi but I have run into it three times in Florida.  It’s reported throughout the southeastern U.S. I found this at Archbold Biological Station near Venus, Florida and also at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida

This is one of Florida’s numerous freshwater springs with exceptionally clear water.  The temperature stays around 72 F year round and this is a great place to see manatees in the winter months.  I can attest to the 72 F water.

Galactia elliottii Nutt.

Elliott’s Milkpea (Galactia elliottii Nutt.)

Galactia is an old friend.  I collected two species in Tishomingo State Park during my graduate work: G. mollis and G. volubilis.  G. elliottii was new to me and for good reason.  NAPA shows the range only into Georgia and South Carolina in addition to Florida.  My exposure came at Lake George State Forest near De Leon Springs, Florida.  

This is a small climbing vine and if you look carefully at the end of the leaves, you’ll find one leaflet is modified into a tendril to attach the plant to anything upright.  Tendrils may be modified stems, leaves, and even flowers.  

St. John’s River at Lake George State Forest

I was just getting into camping again after a long hiatus and decided I needed a shake-down trip with my new tent.  I found you needed no permits or admission fee to camp at the state forests in Florida so off I went.  The sign in the next photograph was prominently displayed at the campground.  I was the only person there.

As you might guess, I forgot to carry my bear spray with me on the hiking trails that day.  I promised myself never again.

Galactia regularis (L.) Britton & al.

Twining Milkpea (Galactia regularis (L.) Britton & al.)

NAPA has this more widely distributed through the southeastern U.S. I found it in two different locations in Florida: Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park near Haines City, Florida and Silver Springs State Park. 

 

      Twining Milkpea (Galactia regularis (L.) Britton & al.)

Although the leaves are similar in shape, the texture from the different locations is different and the flower color is significantly different.  Again, it’s probably due to habitat.  

Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb.

Florida Hammock Milkpea (Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb.)

From the common name “Florida Hammock” you may well assume it’s restricted to Florida hammocks in the Everglades.  The term hammock was new to me when I moved to Florida but it simply means a small land mass in the Everglades formed by vegetation over many years.  Large hammocks were often home to Seminoles back in the day.  You may find full size trees on well established hammocks.  

As far as the milkpea, the green legume looks very much like the traditional butterbean of southern gardens.

Florida Hammock Milkpea (Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urb.)

In any case, the Florida hammock milkpea can be found in those counties that border the Everglades plus one or two more scattered counties.  Note the appressed hairs on the stem and “pea.”

Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S. Johnson

French Broom (Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S. Johnson)

As I was driving from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Redwoods National Park, I was steered by my hosts at Redding, California to drive north to Oregon and then cut across and down into California and Redwoods.  It’s apparently one of those you-can’t-get-there-from-here situations.  As I drove from Oregon to Redwoods, I kept seeing this flash of yellow along the roadside. 

After I got settled in my cabin at Jedediah Smith State Park (associated with Redwoods) I did a short recon of the area.  I found a river flowing through the park and this same shrub growing along the riverbank.  I was later able to identify it.

The leaves are trifoliate and the leaflets are acuminate on their tips.  If you look carefully in the next photo, you’ll be able to see tiny hairs (trichomes) along the margins of the leaflets.

French Broom (Genista monspessulana (L.) L.A.S. Johnson)

The flower is definitely pea-like and the flower color is very intense.  I’d estimate the size of each flower to be about the size of a nickel.  Calflora reports it as not native and naturalized in the wild.

Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh

Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh)

The North American Plant Atlas (NAPA) only lists two species in North America: G. glabra and G. lepidota with G. lepidota by far the most common.  G. glabra is considered the “true” licorice and G. lepidota is sometimes referred to as American licorice.  Wikipedia also states the sweet taste of the plant is due to the compound glycyrrhizin.

I photographed it at Devil’s Tower National Monument.  There’s something about this plant that stands out.  Why it strikes me as so different from other members of the family I have no idea.  Life is funny like that.  Somethings just get your attention in life and others don’t.

Hedysarum alpinum L.

Alpine Sweetvetch (Hedysarum alpinum L.)

There are four species of Hedysarum reported on the NAPA website with H. alpinum mostly in Canada but also as far down as Wyoming.  I photographed this at Lake Moraine in Yoho National Park, Alberta.  

Wikipedia reports it as an important food source (leaves, seeds, roots) for wildlife in the area, including grizzlies!

I admit the specimen looks a little bedraggled.  It wasn’t because of the weather but I think the flowering period had passed.  If you look at the raceme, you’ll see new flowers at the top and at the base you’ll see some fruit developing.  That’s typical in a lot of plants with a spike or raceme.

Hedysarum boreale Nutt.

Northern Sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale Nutt.)

This is similar in appearance, habitat, and distribution as H. alpinum but is more widely distributed across the western U.S. and down as far as Texas (NAPA). 

In the next photo, note how the banner petal, the keel petal and the two wing petals are exactly the same color.  

You could also argue (botanically, that is) that this flower structure is a raceme or a spike.  Technically a spike is where the flowers attach directly to a stalk with no pedicel at the base of the flower.  The flowers on this plant have an exceptionally tiny pedicel so you might be justified in calling this a raceme of flowers instead of a spike of flowers.  

If you want to know what botanists get into heated discussions about, now you know.  Raceme or spike.

Northern Sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale Nutt.)

The flower color is more intense (to me) than in H. alpinum.  This was growing along side the Capitol Gorge Road and stood out like a sore thumb.  I had to stop, pull of the side of the road, and hike back to the plant.  I was glad I did.

Northern Sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale Nutt.)

Indigofera miniata Ortega

Scarlet Pea (Indigofera miniata Ortega)

I photographed this near the lake at Lake Livingstone State Park north of Houston, Texas.  It was to be a short visit to the park.  The park was packed and the family camping next to me, albeit nice, decided to throw an all night party with crying babies and friends from town.  

I packed up at 10 pm and found a La Quinta at Livingstone.  The park ranger caught me exiting the park and apologized.  I was wondering to myself what he was doing all night instead of patrolling the park like he should have been.  At least I got a short hike in and found a few interesting plants during my short visit.

It was probably my own fault - camping at a state park on labor day.

The flower was a very intense salmon pink with oddly pinnate leaves.  It isn’t really a vine but more low growing and trailing along the ground, almost like a ground cover.

Lathyrus brachycalyx Rydb.

Zion Sweetpea (Lathyrus brachycalyx Rydb.)

This was another roadside find at Zion National Park.  I was a little late for the blooming period but it was good to catch the legume in development.  The real interesting part to me were the leaves.  The leaves are quite long and although the leaflets start out as opposite on the rachis, the soon turn to alternate.  The end of the leaf develops into a tendril.  I don’t believe I’ve ever seen that phenomenon before.  

There was nothing for this to climb on along the roadside so it just became a tangled mass of leaves and stems.

  

Lathyrus japonicus Willd.

Beachpea (Lathyrus japonicus Willd.)

The common name is appropriate since I found this on the beach, such as it was, at Ship Harbor at Acadia National Park.

Beachpea (Lathyrus japonicus Willd.)

Like L. brachycalyx, the end of the leaf ends in a tendril and there is a little tendency for the leaflets to become less opposite in orientation and more alternate toward the apex.  

Beachpea (Lathyrus japonicus Willd.)

While the banner petal is purple, the wing petals tend to be whitish and surround the keel petal.  NAPA shows this to be a mainly northeastern and western species.

Lathyrus latifolius L.

Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius L.)

Of the four species of Lathyrus I photographed, this was by far the most attractive, and according to NAPA, the most widely distributed.  It’s not native to the U.S. but has been introduced and grows quite well in a variety of habitats.  

Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius L.)

Other than the large blooms which attracted me right off the bat, the other features of this plant that stood out are the winged stems and the very large and persistent petioles of the plant.  The term “winged” in botany means outgrowths of tissue on the petiole of a leaf, the stem of the plant, or other plant part.  

The leaves, like all Lathyrus, end in tendrils.  This also grew more upright than the other species and the tendrils did attach to other vegetation near by.

I found this along Lands End Coastal Trail.  It probably one of the more beautiful walks you can take in San Francisco.  You have a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean and, occasionally, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lands End Coastal Trail

The trail can get quite busy.  I kept meeting people all along the trail and a few were even curious enough to ask me the name of the plant I was photographing at the time.  

Lathyrus vestitus Torr. & A.Gray

Woodland Pea (Lathyrus vestitus Torr. & A.Gray)

Although called the woodland pea, I found this on the same trail at Lands End and not in the woods.  

Woodland Pea (Lathyrus vestitus Torr. & A.Gray)

The plant was extremely dusty and it was probably because that section of the trail was heavily traveled.  This was near the end of the trail which ended at Sutro Baths and the Cliff House.

Sutro Baths Ruins

The Sutro Baths were a huge saltwater swimming pool (six saltwater and one freshwater pool) at Lands End.  It finally went out of business and was destroyed by fire in 1966.

Cliff House at Lands End

The current Cliff House is the fifth of a long line of buildings, starting in 1858,  atop a cliff at Lands End.  It is now a famous restaurant and bar.  People come from all around to sit in front of the magnificent windows and watch for seals on Seal Rocks. 

Sea Rocks at Lands End - Alas, no seals that day

I can attest that the bartender at Cliff House makes an excellent martini.

Lotus corniculatus Linnaeus

Bird’s Foot Treefoil (Lotus corniculatus Linnaeus)

This photo was taken at Mount Rushmore National Monument and it shows the trifoliate leaves on the stem.  However, my first exposure to this plant was in France.  I was on a barge tour of the Bourgogne region. As the barge went through one lock (L’écluse) after another (I think we went through 22 locks all together), we could leave the barge and walk or bike to the next lock.  

I took advantage of that and began to photograph wildflowers.  

Bird’s Foot Treefoil (Lotus corniculatus Linnaeus)

To this day, this is one of my favorite shots.  Not simply because it turned out well but because of the magnificent colors.

  

The Nenuphar passing through l’éluse - Nenuphar translates as waterlily

The Nenuphar is one of several barges operating by French Country Waterways.  The barge season is short.  There are specific times of the year when there is enough water in the canals of France to allow for barge traffic.  

Lupinus albifrons Benth.

Silver Bush Lupine (Lupinus albifrons Benth.)

You say toe-may-toe and I say toe-mah-toe.  Lou-peen, lou-pine. Or is that loop-in?  It was on a field trip with Dr. Pullen back in the 60’s to the Mississippi Gulf Coast that I saw my first lupine and I’ve always enjoyed finding them ever since.  When I find them, they tend to be in well drained soils, often on hills and roadsides.  L. albifrons was something of a shock since I had not seen many bush forms of the genus. 

Silver Bush Lupine (Lupinus albifrons Benth.)

The common name silver comes from the dense covering of tiny hairs on the palmately compound leaves.

Silver Bush Lupine (Lupinus albifrons Benth.)

Flowers are arranged as a raceme and, in this species, quite large. I’ve photographed it in two locations in California: Lands End and Pinnacles National Park.

Lupinus arboreus Sims

Tree Lupine, Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus Sims)

Tree is stretching it a bit.  More like a tall shrub.  Lupines have palmately compound leaves but notice how these seem to be tipped in white.  

Tree Lupine, Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus Sims)

In the previous photo, the flowers are not quite fully open but you can see the beginning of the expansion of the banner petal in the topmost flower.  

Tree Lupine, Yellow Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus Sims)

The legumes are just as hairy as the leaves.

I photographed this in two different locations: Lands End Coastal Trail in San Francisco and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Lupinus argenteus Pursh

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus Pursh)

I’ve probably seen more of this lupine than any other species out west.  It seems to be abundant in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Crater Lake.  It certainly is attractive growing in large clumps. NAPA shows a wide distribution in the west.Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus Pursh)

The silvery aspect comes from tiny hairs, abundant on the undersurface of the leaves but with some on the upper surface as well.  At the right center of the photograph you can see the beginnings of the legumes.  They will also be hairy.

Lupinus bicolor Lindl.

Bicolor Lupine (Lupinus bicolor Lindl.)

I think you can see white splotches against a purple background on the individual flowers, hence the name bicolor.  

Bicolor Lupine (Lupinus bicolor Lindl.)

I took this alongside the Sacramento River in Redding, California.  

I was staying at Apples Riverhouse B&B.  I had just returned from hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park and had recovered enough I wanted to walk the river trail which started adjoining the B&B.  The owners recommended I the trail to the famous Sundial bridge, about a mile.  

Of course, I got turned around and walked the opposite direction and didn’t get to see the bridge but I did get to see a meadow with abundant wildflowers along the river.  

As I departed the B&B the next day for Redwoods National Park, the owners again recommended I stop for the Sundial bridge on my way out.  I kept thinking, a bridge is a bridge.  Reluctantly, I diverted my gps to the bridge.  I’m glad they were insistent.  

Sundial Bridge Across the Sacramento River at Redding, California

The bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava and it was opened on July 4, 2004.  It’s 720 feet long and 23 feet wide and you walk across 2,245 glass panels.  The bridge is a stunner.

This was in April of 2018.  I returned from my cross country trip in June and in August, I began reading about the Carr fire near Redding. The fire boundary was within one block of the B&B.  I tried to contact the owners of the B&B but I’m sure they had been evacuated and not sure they were able to respond.  Certainly, much of the area I walked near the B&B was destroyed by the fire.  At least, the website for the B&B is still active.  

The couple that ran the B&B were the nicest people.  I needed to wash a load of clothes and they washed and folded my clothes for me.  When I arrived, neither were there but they provided me access and waiting for me was two bottles of wine.

Lupinus bingenensis Suksd.

Bingen Lupine (Lupinus bingenensis Suksd.)

This little lupine was growing along the Lakeshore Trail at Stehekin, Washington near North Cascades National Park.  The walk along the trail were pretty spectacular and even I couldn’t keep my eyes off the beauty of the trail and on the wildflowers.  The flower is very pastel blue and I almost missed it.

One of the things that make lupine attractive to me are the palmately compound leaves.  I think they are true art forms.

Bingen Lupine (Lupinus bingenensis Suksd.)

Bingen Lupine (Lupinus bingenensis Suksd.)

Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch.

Dune Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch.)

I was hiking the Bear Valley Trail to the Glen Camp at Point Reyes National Seashore when I saw this along the trail.  It was a spectacular sight.

Dune Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch.)

These leaves were more pubescent on the top surface than on the bottom surface.  I generally find the opposite more common in nature.

Dune Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch.)

There were not a lot of flowers on the raceme but their pastel purple was quite an attention getter.

Dune Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis Eschsch.)

The light from the back highlights the pubescence of the legumes and you can see the persistent style of the ovary on the legume.

It was 4.6 miles into the camp site and, of course, 4.6 miles back out.  I was scheduled for two nights at Glenn Camp.  On the first day, however, I pretty much exhausted myself at the Point Reyes Lighthouse and on a hike to Chimney Rock.

The trail to Chimney Rock starts at the historic lifeboat station.

From there, you walk the coastline to Chimney Rock.  

Most of the area around the cliffs were closed due to recent earthquake activity but I was able to get this photo with my zoom lens.

I returned to the lifeboat station and walked another 0.9 miles to Elephant Seal Cove. I didn’t see any elephant seals but I did see some river otters frolicking in the ocean.

To make a long story longer, after the lighthouse, Chimney Rock, and river otters, I was exhausted and realized I was not going to hike to Glen Camp that day.  I was later glad that I didn’t.  

Instead, I splurged at a motel on Tomales Bay.  I had read about the bay before but had never seen it.  It was a treat.  The motel wasn’t much but the view was spectacular.

That evening, I found an interesting looking restaurant called saltWATER Oyster Depot at the small town of Inverness (back to my Scottish heritage).  Later, I found out how famous the place is for San Francisco and environs.  It was serendipity I found it and had a delicious meal.  

The next morning, I got up and hiked to Glen Camp.

Lupinus concinnus J. Agardh

Bajada Lupine (Lupinus concinnus J. Agardh)

This is a small but attractive lupine that was near my campsite at Catalina State Park outside of Tucson.  I was camping for a couple of nights there in order to visit Saguaro National Park.  I highly recommend the park.

The term bajada refers to a slope of alluvial material at the foot of a mountain.

Bajada Lupine (Lupinus concinnus J. Agardh)

I don’t think I’ve seen anything this hairy before.  The hairs hold onto dew for the plant which then absorbs the water from the hairs.  The flowers, from a distance, are not showy but up close they are very attractive.

Lupinus latifolius J.Agardh

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius J.Agardh)

I’m not sure why this is called broadleaf lupine.  The leaves don’t look any broader to me than any of the other species I’ve come across.  

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius J.Agardh)

The one thing that does stick out to me is the lack of pubescence on this plant.  Look closely at the stems.  They are distinctly purple and very smooth.

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latifolius J.Agardh)

Even when you look at the inflorescence, there is very little hairiness.  All the photos I have of this are from Crater Lake.  

Lupinus lepidus Lindl.

Dwarf Lupine (Lupinus lepidus Lindl.)

Dwarf is a good term.  This is a very small lupine I found on the Rim Drive of Crater Lake.  On the rim, plants are exposed to pretty harsh environments and I suspect this has a fight on its hand year round.

The Rim Drive is not open year round.  You have to choose your dates carefully if you are headed to Crater Lake but the trip is certainly worth the effort.  

Dwarf Lupine (Lupinus lepidus Lindl.)

The raceme of flowers is very tight on the stem.  We’re also back to the pubescence typical of most lupines.

Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.)

Another commonly called broadleaf, I can at least see why this would merit the name.  The leaflets on the leaves are very large.

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.)

Quite simply, this is a pretty large herbaceous plant, almost reaching the size of most shrubs.  This was photographed at Sequoia National Park.  

Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.)

When the seeds are ready to be released, the legume valves twist open freeing the seeds.  This is also a common phenomenon in lima beans.

Sequoia is a two-fer park.  Right next door to Sequoia is Kings Canyon National Park.  There’s a winding, curvy road that connects the two that can be a little challenging if you get up, like I did, before dawn and start down the road.  Best keep an eye out for wandering deer.

I stayed in Kings Canyon at Grant Grove Village.  Most of the campsites were hike-in (often several miles) and I decided to take it easy and rent a cabin.  The cabin I was in was rustic to say the least.

The outside looked pretty good but the inside was even more primitive.  At least I wasn’t staying in the tents on the property.

On second thought, they may have been better than the cabin.

One of the more interesting stops I made was in Sequoia to Moro Rock.  You climb quite a few steps to the top for a spectacular vista of the surrounding area.

They keep warning you about lightning strikes and to stay off the rock if any bad weather occurs.  Fortunately for me the sky was cloudless.  There are 400 steps to the top.

Vista from Moro Rock

Atop Moro Rock

Lupinus pusillus Pursh

Dwarf Lupine (Lupinus pusillus Pursh)

Another dwarf lupine, different genus, different location.  Again, this points out the difficulties of common names and the need for use of scientific names.  This was at the Windows at Arches National park.  The colors really pop against the reddish sandstone soil of Arches. 

Lupinus sparsiflorus Benth.

Coulter’s Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus Benth.)

I suppose the flowers are a little sparse but I’ve seen a few with a large number of flowers.  I photographed this at two locations in the west: Canyonlands National Park in Utah and Catalina State Park near Tucson. The first photo is at Catalina State Park and the second photo is from Canyonlands.

Coulter’s Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus Benth.)

Macroptillium lathyroides (L.) Urb.

Phasey Bean (Macroptillium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

The best description I can give you of this plant is a legume that experimented with LSD when it was in college.  There’s nothing that makes sense of the petals of this flower.  IFAS reports it native to tropical America but has become established in Florida.  NAPA reports it in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas, sometimes in single counties.  

Phasey Bean (Macroptillium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

I find the leaves attractive. They are acuminate at the end of each leaflet (three leaflets per leaf) and the edges of the leaflet are colored reddish black - like an outline.  

I ran across this for the first time at Archbold Biological Station near Venus, Florida in April 2016.  I’ve been going to Archbold since the late 1980’s and never saw it.  I suspect some bird deposited the seed.  

Medicago lupulina L.

Black Medic (Medicago lupulina L.)

Most people mistake this genus for clover (Trifolium) and the three leaflets per leaf does remind one of clover.  However, there are some differences between the species.  I assume it’s called black medic because the legumes turn black when mature.   

NAPA reports 15 species of Medicago in North America and M. lupulina and M. sativa are the most common.  This photo was taken at Devil’s Tower National Monument.

Medicago polymorpha L.

Burr Clover (Medicago polymorpha L.)

The first thing that got my attention on this was the pubescence on the leaves.  I knew it was Medicago but had not seen such hairiness on the genus before.  I found this at Fanning Springs, along the Nature Coast State Trail (bikes).  

NAPA has it fairly widely distributed throughout the southeastern U.S., the northeastern U.S. and the western U.S.  For some reason, it misses the midsection.

The common name refers to the enations of spikes on the fruits to make it look like burrs.

Medicago sativa L.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

This is probably the most valuable forage crop in the world.  It is nutritious for animals and the roots of the plant contain nodules with nitrogen fixing bacteria, so the plant provides nutrients for the soil.  Hay from alfalfa often brings premium prices on the market.

Wikipedia states that California, Idaho and Montana are major areas for alfalfa but it is grown throughout the United States.  I photographed this in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

My first experience with Badlands was when I hired on as a Botanist/Plant Ecologist with the Bureau of Land Management in Miles City, Montana.  I was to do a plant survey of the Wibaux-Beach area of eastern Montana, some 358 square miles of rolling hills prairie.  

When I hired on in Miles City, the Bureau had all kinds of instructions I had to go through: how to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle, how to survive in a ground blizzard, first aid, etc.  One thing they did was hire a private plane and fly me over Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming to get a feel for the terrain (your tax dollars at work).  One region we flew over was the Badlands. 

Later, I was driven through the Badlands by my supervisor for some reason - perhaps to test out my 4-wheeler skills.  

The Badlands have such a wonderful history - with outlaws holing up in the area, Theodore Roosevelt ranching in the area, the richness of the region for coal deposits, and most interestingly, the area is rich in fossils, especially T. rex.  

In July of 2013, Nancy, Michel and I paid a visit.  

Panorama Overlook, Badlands National Park

It’s a vast area with some really interesting views. I’m not too sure I would like to hike the area.

Yellow Mounds Overlook, Badlands National Park

For several reasons.

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.

Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.)

I’ve collected the white flowered version of this (M. officinalis  var. alba) during my graduate student days and I’ve seen M. officinalis many times during my travels.  Wikipedia states it is introduced from Europe and NAPA has it as the most widely distributed of seven species. 

It can be used as forage but if improperly dried as hay, it produces an anticoagulant toxin that can cause bleeding deaths in cattle (Wikipedia).  

Mimosa quadrivalvis L.

Sensitive Briar (Mimosa quadrivalvis L.)

This is such a neat plant.  It’s like a tiny mimosa tree that spreads along the ground.  If you look at the lower left, you’ll see some of the leaves beginning to close up.  The leaflets are folding inward.  They do that in response to touch or shaking.  

I was sitting in botany lecture with Dr. Pullen as an undergraduate when he began lecturing on this phenomenon.  He had earlier brought in a potted specimen of M. pudica and placed it on the coat rack at the front of the room to allow it to open its leaves.  

He then explained how the plant responded to touch and went over to demonstrate.  He lightly touched a leaf with his pencil.  Absolutely nothing happened.  He then tapped a little harder and nothing again.  

It got to the point he was practically beating the poor plant with the pencil and it still refused to cooperate.  In frustration, he said “I guess it’s not going to do it.”  He turned and started walking back to the lectern when the entire plant collapsed in the pot.  

It was always a challenge to get students involved in botany for me.  However, I could always get some interest when I showed them the plant and how it closed up its leaves. 

To see the mechanism of how it closes, click here.

At the base of each leaflet is a tiny structure called a pulvinus.  That structure is extremely sensitive to changes in turgor pressure.  Any touch or movement will cause water in the pulvinus to rapidly leave and cause the leaf to fold.  It comes by the name briar honestly.  It has prickles all along the stem.

Olneya tesota A.Gray

Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota A.Gray)

This is one of those “thank goodness the nature trail has labels” plants.  I would have had no idea at all about this, much less that it was a member of the bean family.

This was on the Desert Discovery Nature Trail of Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District.  

Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota A.Gray)

Since the plant was not in bloom or seed, the only hint to indicate to me it was a member of the bean family was the pinnately compound leaves.  

Wikipedia reports that it is an indicator species of the Sonoran Desert and that the wood is so dense, it does not float.  That is similar to Florida’s lignum vitae tree Guaiacum officinale or G. sanctum.  Don’t go making any life rafts with the wood.

Oxytropis campestris (L.) DC.

Field Locoweed (Oxytropis campestris  (L.) DC.)

This is another of those genera that often absorb toxins from the soils and concentrate them in the plant tissues, hence the name locoweed.

Field Locoweed (Oxytropis campestris  (L.) DC.)

NAPA places it mostly in the northwestern U.S. and Canada.  I photographed it along the shore of Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta.

Oxytropis lambertii Pursh

Lambert Crazyweed (Oxytropis lambertii Pursh)

NAPA has O. lambertii as the most widely distributed of the genus with most of the midwest and west included. Like most locoweeds or crazyweeds, it contains the compound swainsonine.  

Lambert Crazyweed (Oxytropis lambertii Pursh)

The raceme of purple flowers is very noticeable against the rather dusty background in which it is often found.  

Lambert Crazyweed (Oxytropis lambertii Pursh)

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Plant Database says the hairs on the leaves are unusual in that they are attached perpendicularly to the leaf much like a see-saw or a lever and fulcrum mechanism.  They say you need a hand lens in order to see this.  I had one but was too tired to pull it out after hiking all morning.  I found this along the Coal Vein Nature Trail at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, south unit.

Pithecellobium keyense Coker

Blackbead (Pithecellobium keyense Coker)

Fortunately, Bahia Honda State Park had a labeled nature trail or I would have not any idea as to this plant.  Trees and shrubs give me fits, particularly if they are not in flower or fruit and particularly if they are out of the range of my expertise.  Most of south Florida is out of my area of expertise.  

According to signage, it has flowers much like a mimosa and is the larval host for several butterfly species.  NAPA shows it restricted to Florida’s southernmost counties.

Prosopis velutina Wooten

Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina Wooten)

NAPA maps eight species of mesquite in North America (all of the genus Prosopis).  Only six of those are verified.  Again, I thank whoever labeled the plants along the Desert Discovery Nature Trail at Saguaro National Park.

Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina Wooten)

In order to save water, the plant closes its leaves at night.  As you know, the wood is prized for grilling.

Rhynchosia cinerea Nash

Sandhill Snoutbean (Rhynchosia cinerea Nash)

NAPA maps this as a Florida species with 17 species in North America and 14 confirmed.  I photographed this at Myakka River State Park just outside of Sarasota, Florida.  Interestingly, NatureServe Explorer refers to this as a “non-climbing herbaceous vine” and yet the photo shows it climbing.  

Sandhill Snoutbean (Rhynchosia cinerea Nash)

In the past, I’ve collected R. tomentosa at Tishomingo State Park and the leaves of the two are very similar - trifoliate and spear-like.  I assume the common name snoutbean refers to the fruit which must have a projection.  

Robinia hispida L.

Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida L.)

Since I was a kid, I knew black locust (R. pseudoacacia) and according to NAPA, that species is the most common in North America.  However, R. hispida is the second most common species. I’ve photographed this in two locations: Curtis Valley Overlook on the Blue Ridge and Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina.

The term hispid means very coarsely hairy.  The hairy part comes from trichomes.  In this case, it’s the young stems.  

Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida L.)

If you look carefully at the stem at the top of the photo, you’ll see hundreds of tiny projections on the stem which gives it a rough appearance.

Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida L.)

Also, if you look carefully at the leaf bases, you’ll se a short spur sticking out.  These are spines which are modified leaves (in this case, the stipules of the leaf). 

Curtis Valley Overlook at 4,460 Feet

As you can see, the overlook was a little cloudy.  That’s good for plant photography!

Robinia neomexicana A.Gray

New Mexico Locust (Robinia neomexicana A.Gray)

This was taken on our Zion trip.  I saw it from the tour bus growing along side the road.  It was this plant that decided me to not do the next Zion tour with the group and instead walk the roadside to get plant photos.  

This is very much a southwestern U.S. plant.

New Mexico Locust (Robinia neomexicana A.Gray)

Later, after I had looked it up in a local guide, the tour guide asked me if I knew the plant.  I was pleased to be able to show him a photo from a website to confirm it for him.  

Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

Ah, the locust of my childhood.  You learned very early in life not to grab the plant with the spines at the bases of the leaves.  The plant was popular in my region of Mississippi because the wood from the tree made excellent, long lasting fence posts.  

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

The flowers have a wonderful aroma to them.  These photos were taken at Brandywine Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Securigera varia (Linnaeus) Lassen

Crown Vetch (Securigera varia (Linnaeus) Lassen)

I stumbled across this in the parking lot for Upper Linville Falls in the Pisgah National Forest.  I was with my cousin Jimmie and her husband Stephen and Jimmie and I had just returned from the upper falls.  

NAPA reports this as widely distributed across the entire U.S. and Canada.  Most species of vetch are in the genus Vicia and this was a new genus for me.

Senna lindheimeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Lindheimer’s Senna (Senna lindheimeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

There are two genera that absolutely stump me: Senna and Cassia.  I look forward to the publication of volume 10 of Flora of North America so I can closely compare the descriptions and distinctions.  Most local floras and most guide books make no real distinction between the two species.  I’m used to detailed descriptions in taxonomic references and I have yet to find anything that works well to tell the two genera apart.  As an additional problem, some Cassia and Senna have been reclassified as Chamaecrista.  Even S. lindheimeriana  was once classified as Cassia.

Regardless, there are a couple sources that agree on Senna lindheimeriana.  One is Wildflowers of Texas.²  Another is SEINet.

Lindheimer’s Senna (Senna lindheimeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

It’s a very attractive (and large) flower found in dryer areas of foothills and mesas (SEINet). 

It is sometimes referred to as velvet leaf senna because of the texture of the leaves caused by the hairs on each surface.

Lindheimer’s Senna (Senna lindheimeriana (Scheele) H.S.Irwin & Barneby)

I found it in two locations in Texas: Big Bend National Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area.

My cousin Jo introduced me to Lost Maples many years ago and it’s always stuck with me as a beautiful place in the Texas hill country.  If you get a chance, hike to the top of the ridge.  Once there you get a wonderful view of the canyon.

Sophora secundiflora (Ortega) DC.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora (Ortega) DC.)

I was first introduced to this plant at Lost Maples and then later at Carlsbad Caverns.  It is very popular as an ornamental in Texas and I can see why.  

      Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora (Ortega) DC.)

The leaves are oddly pinnate and evergreen.  

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora (Ortega) DC.)

The seed pods are very distinctive when present.  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center reports the seeds as poisonous.

I found several trees growing at the main entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  

        Main Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Amphitheater

I had visited Carlsbad many, many years ago to see the night bat flight.  They have upgraded the facility significantly since my first visit.  I think I remember wooden benches in the amphitheater.  

Main Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Amphitheater with Texas Mountain Laurel on the left

As luck would have it, the elevator to the cavern was out of order.  I had just finished a grueling hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak the day before and was looking for something easy to do.  Walking to the bottom of the cavern and then back up was not my choice of easy, but at least I made it.  

Hiking back out of the cavern

About this time my calves were screaming at me.

Strophostyles leiosperma (Torr. & A.Gray) Piper

Wild Bean (Strophostyles leiosperma (Torr. & A.Gray) Piper)

I found this growing along the shore at Lake Livingstone State Park in Texas.  The two things projecting out from the flower are seed pods.

Wild Bean (Strophostyles leiosperma (Torr. & A.Gray) Piper)

The keel petal is unusual in that it has a curve to it and gives the flower a quixotic look.  Wikipedia reports that Choctaws used to eat the roots and probably the peas in the pods.

Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub.

Cheesytoes (Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub.

I first encountered this on my walks with my dog Rocky near the Boys and Girls Club in our neighborhood.  It was growing in the swale of the street and I could see these tiny little yellow blooms.  I later determined it to be Stylosanthes.  I had collected the genus before at Tishomingo (S. biflora) and recognized the flower.  

Cheesytoes (Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taub.

I have no idea as to how it got the common name cheesytoes but that has stuck with me.  I have seen it growing at three locations in Florida: Torreya State Park, Bahia Honda State Park and my neighborhood.

 Tephrosia chrysophylla Pursh

Scurf Hoarypea (Tephrosia chrysophylla Pursh)

I’ve seen three species of Tephrosia in my lifetime.  According to NAPA, only 18 more to go.  During my Tishomingo days, I collected T. spicata and T. virginiana.  These are upright species whereas T. chrysophylla grows close to the ground and spreading.  

Scurf Hoarypea (Tephrosia chrysophylla Pursh)

Wikipedia states that the genus comes from the Greek tephros or ash-colored from the pubescence of the leaf.  They also say most species of Tephrosia contain rotenone, a fish toxin.  

Strangely, the husks of walnuts contain a similar compound and is also a fish toxin.

Like most members of the family Fabaceae, the roots contain nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules.

Scurf Hoarypea (Tephrosia chrysophylla Pursh)

The pubescence is most obvious on the upper left leaves of this photo.  I took the photo along side the trail to my campsite at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park near Haines City, Florida.  It was growing in pure sand of the Lake Wales Ridge.

Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson

Prairie Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson)

While on my way to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, I made a single night stop at Rapid City, South Dakota, primarily because the distance from Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and secondarily, to re-live a trip I made with Michel and Nancy in 2013 where we stayed at the Hotel Alex Johnson, an historic hotel in downtown Rapid City.

Michel put together a wonderful trip of Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, the Badlands and Wind Cave that year.  Our base of operations for everything but the Yellowstone trip was Rapid City and we all fell in love with the place.    

Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota

Our favorite place in the hotel was the rooftop bar called the Vertex.  We would meet for happy hour and more often than not eat dinner up there.  

        Michel and Me at TheVertex at the Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota

Inside the Vertex Bar, Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota

They had updated the rooms on my second stay and I have to admit the place had become luxurious compared to our first stay.  It’s well worth the visit if you are in the area.

Anyway, I was driving along highway 12 West (north) and kept seeing these bright yellow blooms along the highway.  Finally, I couldn’t help myself.  I pulled over and snapped a few quick shots.Prairie Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson)

This is about as showy of a legume as you would wish to see.  It was early spring (May) for North and South Dakota and there wasn’t much else in bloom.  

Later, I found it in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

Trifolium hybridum L.

Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum L.)

I think everyone is familiar with clovers and who hasn’t looked for a four-leaf one?

In the south, I grew up with red clover (T. pratense) crimson clover (T. incarnatum) and white clover (T. repens). In my travels, I’ve added three more.  According to NAPA, that only leaves me 26 more to photograph!  The devil, of course, is in the details and those must be examined with the use of a dissection scope.  

Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum L.)

This particular clover makes me think of a cross between red clover and white clover to get a pinkish tinge to the flowers.  Both these photos were taken at the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone viewpoint.  Later, I found it at Mount Rushmore.

The Upper Falls are magnificent and I’ve been fortunate to see them in summer and winter.  In the winter, part of the falls ice over and there is hoar all around the sides from the mist. 

Trifolium gymnocarpon Torr. & A.Gray

Dwarf Clover (Trifolium gymnocarpon Torr. & A.Gray)

I figured this one would be fairly easy to identify based on its location and the distinctive markings on the trifoliate leaves.  I was right.  This was at the Painted Wall Overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  

Dwarf Clover (Trifolium gymnocarpon Torr. & A.Gray)

Notice how the edges of the leaves look serrate, like the blade of a knife.  

Trifolium pratense L.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

I’ve always wondered why red clover isn’t really red.  Now crimson clover is really red. Regardless, close up photos of this is really beautiful.  

 
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

As you can see, there is some variation of color within the species. Also note the markings on the leaflets.  I’ve probably photographed this species in more places than any other plant.  

Places I’ve photographed red clover include: Chagny, Bourgogne, France; Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone; Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta; Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia; Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains; and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Acadia.   

Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

A word about Takakkaw Falls.  John and I were on the Heli-hiking tour with Tauck and we had a free day.  We took a side trip to Lake Moraine and Takakkaw Falls.  The falls are amazing.  The water comes over the falls with such force that when it hits the first level, it drives the water out vertically over the falls.

Trifolium repens L.

White Clover (Trifolium repens L.)

This is probably the most common species in the United States and it still beckons me to take its photograph every time.  Something about childhood, four-leafs, and always being able to find it on any trip!

It was my cousin Jimmie who introduced me to the concept of finding four-leaf clovers for good luck.  We spent inordinate amount of time in her yard looking for them.  She was pretty good at finding them - me, not so much.

Trifolium willdenovii Spreng.

Sand Clover (Trifolium willdenvoii Spreng.)

This is a western species according to NAPA, found in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.  I found it at Crater Lake.

Sand Clover (Trifolium willdenvoii Spreng.)

It’s a sparse flowerer for a clover and not particularly attractive.

Vicia americana Willd.

American Vetch (Vicia americana Willd.)

Vetches are fairly easy to recognize in the field as far as the genus goes.  Getting to species is a little more difficult.

The leaflets can be hairy or not, the stems hairy of not and you have to pay attention to the size of the flower, the tendrils, and many other factors.  I found this particular one at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, both north and south units.

According to NAPA, it’s the most widespread of all vetches.

American Vetch (Vicia americana Willd.)

Vicia nigricans subsp. gigantea (Hook.) Lassetter & C.R.Gunn

        Giant Vetch (Vicia nigricans subsp. gigantea (Hook.) Lassetter & C.R.Gunn)

It’s a very large, very tall, very clingy vetch.  The flowers are not large but the plant is.  This was photographed at Lake Louise in Alberta.

NAPA reports it along the coastal counties of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

As I previously mentioned, I general don’t place plants down to the subspecies or varietal level but due to location, there was no doubt on this one.

Vicia villosa subsp. varia (Host) Corb.

Smooth Vetch (Vicia villosa subsp. varia (Host) Corb.)

Vetches can quickly get out of control in areas they grow.  This species is almost as tall as giant vetch but this one may be more aggressive.  It’s a good thing the flowers are attractive.

Smooth Vetch (Vicia villosa subsp. varia (Host) Corb.)

There is very little pubescence on the stems and leaves, hence the name smooth vetch.  This field was most likely burned over during the Carr Fire near Redding, California.

Vicia villosa Roth

Wooly Vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)

I included this, not because of the common name but because of the lack of varietal name.  This species was photographed at Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park in British Columbia.  

Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth.

Cowpea (Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth.)

There were no cows around but this was climbing all over the place at Shark Valley in Big Cypress Preserve.  This species is pretty widespread throughout the southeastern U.S. according to NAPA. It really liked the canals of Shark Valley and I had a difficult time getting a photograph because for some reason, the plant liked the opposite side of the canal I was on.

Cowpea (Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth.)

Notice how the vines are almost maroon.  There are the typical trifoliate leaves.

Cowpea (Vigna luteola (Jacq.) Benth.)

The seed pods turn brown upon maturity and twist open to disperse the seeds.

Species/Location

Abrus precatorius
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Acacia constricta
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Alysicarpus vaginalis
Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Amorpha canescens
Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida

Astragalus agrestis
Ridgeline Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
Skyline Vista, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit

Astragalus amphioxys
The Windows, Arches National Park

Astragalus desperatus
Grand View Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Astragalus gilviflorus
Boicourt Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
Oxbow Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Astragalus miguelensis
Cavern Point Trail, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Astragalus missouriensis
Caprock Coulee Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Astragalus newberryi
Hidden Canyon Retreat, Great Basin National Park

Astragalus praelongus
Chimney Rock Trail, Capitol Reef National Park

Astragalus oophorus  var. caulescens
Devil’s Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Astragalus zionis
Roadside, Scenic Drive, Zion National Park

Baptisia alba
Wolfden Loop Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia.

Caesalpina bonduc
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Calliandra eriophylla
Roadside, Saguaro National Park Tucson Mountain District

Canavalia rosea
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Centrosema virginianum
Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Cercidium microphyllum
Desert Discovery Nature Trail, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District

Cercis canadensis
Roadside on way to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Chamaecrista fasciculata
Nature Trail, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida
Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, Texas

Chapmannia floridana
Sinkhole Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida
Sandhill Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Clitoria mariana
Sinkhole Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida
River Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Crotalaria pallida
Nature Trail, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Crotalaria spectabilis
Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve

Dalbergia ecastaphyllum
Board Walk, Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Dalea candida
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Dalea purpurea
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Erythrina herbacea
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida
Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland, Florida

Eysenhardtia texana
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Galactia elliottii
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Galactia regularis
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Haines City, Florida
Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Galactia striata
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Genista monspessulana
Jedediah Smith State Park, Crescent City, California

Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Hedysarum alpinum
Lake Moraine, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Hedysarum boreale
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Indigofera miniata
Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, Texas

Lathyrus brachycalyx
Roadside, Zion National Park

Lathyrus japonicus
Ship Harbor, Acadia National Park

Lathyrus latifolius
Lands End Coastal Trail, San Francisco, California

Lathyrus vestitus
Lands End Coast Trail, San Francisco, California

Lotus corniculatus
Mount Rushmore National Monument
Chagny, Bourgogne, France

Lupinus albifrons
Lands End Coast Trail, San Francisco, California
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Lupinus arboreus
Lands End Coast Trail, San Francisco, California
Point Reyes National Seashore

Lupinus argenteus
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake National Park

Lupinus bicolor
River Trail, Redding California

Lupinus bingenensis
Lakeshore Trail, Stehekin, Washington, North Cascades National Park

Lupinus chamissonis
Bear Valley Trail to Glen Camp, Point Reyes National Seashore

Lupinus concinnus
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Lupinus latifolius
Castle Crest Nature Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Lupinus lepidus
Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park

Lupinus polyphyllus
Sequoia National Park

Lupinus pusillus
The Windows, Arches National Park

Lupins sparsiflorus
Isle of the Sky, Canyonlands National Park
Catalina State Park, Tucson

Macroptillium lathyroides
Nature Trail, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Medicago lupulina
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Medicago polymorpha
Nature Coast State Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida.

Medicago sativa
Badlands National Park

Melilotus alba
Tower-Roosevelt, Yellowstone National Park
Bugagoo Lodge, British Columbia
Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab Utah

Mimosa quadrivalvis
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Haines City, Florida

Olneya tesota
Desert Discovery Nature Trail, Saguaro National Park

Oxytropis campestris
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Oxytropis lambertii
Coal Vein Nature Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, south unit

Pithecellobium keyense
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Prosopis velutina
Desert Discovery Nature Trail, Saguaro National Park

Rhynchosia cinerea
Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida

Robinia neomexicana
Roadside, Zion National Park

Robinia pseudoacacia
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Securigera varia
Upper Linville Falls, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Senna lindheimeriana
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Sophora secundiflora
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas
Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Strophostyles leiosperma
Lakeshore, Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, Texas

Stylosanthes hamata
Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, near Flamingo Park, Fort Lauderdale
Torreya State Park, Bristol, Florida
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Tephrosia chrysophylla
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Haines City, Florida

Thermopsis rhombifolia
Medora Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
On the Way to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Highway 12 W near Bowman, North Dakota

Trifolium hybridum
Upper Falls of the Yellowstone Viewpoint, Yellowstone National Park
Mount Rushmore National Monument

Trifolium gymnocarpon
Painted Wall Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Trifolium pratense
Chagny, Bourgogne, France
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta
Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Bass Harbor Head Light, Acadia National Park

Trifolium repens
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Trifolium willdenovii
Crater Lake National Park

Vicia american
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North and South Units

Vicia nigricans subsp. gigantea
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Vicia villosa subsp. varia
River Trail, Redding, California

Vicia villosa
Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Vigna luteola
Shark Valley, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

A word about Takakkaw Falls.  John and I were on the Heli-hiking tour with Tauck and we had a free day.  We took a side trip to Lake Moraine and Takakkaw Falls.  The falls are amazing.  The water comes over the falls with such force that when it hits the first level, it drives the water out vertically over the falls.

Chapter 3

Melastomataceae

I generally refer to this family of plants as the meadow beauty family.  The prepublication of volume 10 of Flora of North America list only three genera within the family: Melastoma, from which the family derives its name, Rhexia, and Tetrazygia.  

I’ve only photographed one species, Rhexia virginica.

Rhexia virginica Linnaeus

Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica Linnaeus)

I think you can see why it is called a meadow beauty.  I photographed this alongside the lake at Myakka River State Park in wet soils.  These plants like the dampness.

NAPA lists this as an eastern species in North America with one outlier in British Columbia. 

Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica Linnaeus)

Note the leaves are opposite each other on the stem and are said to be decussate (cross shaped on the stem).  Both the stem and the edges of the leaves are hairy.

Species/Location

Rhexia virginica
Lakeside, Myakka River State Park, Sarasote, Florida

Chapter 4

Myrtaceae

The myrtle family is well represented in Florida with Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Callistemon, and Eugenia.  Of the genera only Eugenia has native species to Florida.  The other three are primarily Australian in origin.  

Melaleuca (for some reason pronounced MAL ah loo kah in Florida - but then, natives pronounce Miami as my AM ah) was brought in to help drain the Everglades.  It is a water hog.  Unfortunately, it does the job only too well and has become a serious pest species in Florida, to the point the state imported a melaleuca weevil to help control it. (IFAS)

Eucalyptus and Callistemon were brought in as ornamentals.

Eugenia foetida Persoon

Spanish Stopper (Eugenia foetida Persoon)

You may wonder about the specific name.  The flowers tend to have a foul odor, though not nearly as bad as the white stopper.  The white stopper is often detected by its smell - very skunk-like.  

Spanish stopper is found mostly in south Florida (NAPA) and particularly the Florida Keys.  Fortunately, Bahia Honda State Park had this identified for me. I’ve never really had much exposure to any of the species found naturally in Florida.

Species/Location

Eugenia foetida
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Chapter 5

Onagraceae

I learned this as the evening primrose family although it includes more than just the genus Oenothera (primroses).  

As I write these volumes, I’m constantly amazed at how many plants I knew as a kid growing up, even without the benefit of Boy Scouts.  I wonder if kids today have anywhere near the knowledge of common names kids in my day knew?  

I remember evening primroses (and to me, it will always be Oenothera biennis) growing along the roadsides of my home town, Morton, Mississippi.  They would bloom in the afternoon close up at night and stay closed until the next afternoon.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis Linnaeus)

During my cross country travels, I’ve been introduced to more genera and species I didn’t know even during my graduate school days.  

Typically, members of this family have four sepals and four petals and four or more stamens.  

Oenothera biennis Linnaeus

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis Linnaeus)

I found this growing near the cabin I was staying at F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs, Georgia.  

The growth form here is a little atypical but that is because the area I found it was often mowed by the park service.  That stunts the growth of the plant and also causes it to branch out more than would be typical.

Oenothera caespitosa Gilles ex Hooker & Arn.

Dwarf Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa Gilles ex Hooker & Arn.)

This is a particularly attractive primrose growing under pretty intolerable conditions.  I’ve photographed this at Arches National Park and Zion National Park.

This is pretty much a western species (NAPA).

Oenothera elata Kunth

Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata Kunth)

Talk about a hard life!  This was growing in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone amid the hot springs.  I think we can say it is heat tolerant!  Also, note how many of these are referred to as “evening” primrose.

Oenothera fruticosa Linnaeus

Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa Linnaeus)

This is an eastern species (NAPA) and I photographed it in two separate locations of North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  My first encounter was at Deerlick Gap Overlook along the Blue Ridge and the next time was at Mount Mitchell State Park just off the Blue Ridge.  Both were photographed in June of 2017.

Sundrops seems to be a very appropriate name.  

Oenothera laciniata Hill

Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata  Hill)

Obviously, the common name comes for the dissected leaves.  It’s not unusual for species of Oenothera to have lobed leaves, but these are the deepest I’ve seen.

This was growing along the bike trail near Fanning Springs, Florida. Also note how the sepals are reflexed away from the petals.

Oenothera pallida Douglas ex Lindl.

Pale Evening Primrose (Oenothera pallida Douglas ex Lindl.)

This was growing along the Capitol Gorge Road at Capitol Reef National Park.  I certainly didn’t expect to see a primrose in this area.  The flower head, in relation to the rest of the plant is all out of proportion.  I also like the yellow tinge at the base of the petals.

Epilobium angustifolium L.

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

The nomenclature is a little confused on this.  The prepublication data for Flora of North America includes the genus Chamerion.  The Plant List has Chamerion angustifolium as a synonym of Epilobium angustifolium.  Wikipedia has it as Chamaenerion angustifolium.   Hopefully when volumes 10 and 11 of Flora are published, it will clear this up.  Regardless, a fireweed by any other name....

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium L.)

 The common name comes from the ability of this plant to become one of the first plants to establish after a fire.  I first encountered this at Hayden Valley in Yellowstone and I keep running into it out west. 

NAPA, which lists it as Chamaenerion angustifolium shows it widely distributed across the west, northern U.S. and Canada.

Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam.

Alpine Willowherb (Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam.)

There are some of the smallest flowers I’ve encountered.  Duckweed is an aquatic plant that is much, much smaller with only a single stamen and pistil and no petals or sepals, but this pretty much comes in second.  The moss growing with it looks large in relationship.  It took quite a few shots to even get the thing in focus.  

This was at Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain in The Bugaboos of British Columbia.

The long, reddish part of the flower (behind the petals) is the ovary.  The petals and stamens are located on top of the ovary so the ovary is said to be inferior (to the petals and stamens).

Epilobium canum (Greene) P.H. Raven

 

California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum (Greene) P.H. Raven)

I’ve run into this plant in three different places, and yes, they were all in California.  It really doesn’t look too much like fuchsia except for the way the stamens, stigma and style protrude from the floral tube.

My first encounter was on the Skull Rock Trail at Joshua Tree National Park.  You can’t imagine how this stood out against all the brown of the desert.  It was like a red flag to a bull.

The next time was when I started my climb of Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park.  This was growing just on the other side of the steps as I headed up.

My last encounter was at the visitor center of Channel Islands National Park in Ventura, California.  Each and every time it was a stunner.

Even though it is called California fuchsia, its found throughout the western U.S. (NAPA)

Epilobium latifolium L.

River Beauty, Red Willowherb (Epilobium latifolium L.)

River beauty is a good name.  It was growing along a stream that emptied into Lake Louise.

River Beauty, Red Willowherb (Epilobium latifolium L.)

The flowers are spectacular!  The color is amazing.  

Lake Louise is a place I’ve heard about many times over the years but I never thought I would get a chance to go there.  

When my endocrinologist heard I was heading to Lake Louise, he suggested I hike to a certain location where he and his family had hiked.  I carefully remember the name of the location at Lake Louise (now forgotten) and was surprised when our tour guide with Tauck made the same suggestion.  The only problem was my endocrinologist had the wrong name.  They still sold sandwiches (according to the tour guide) but I didn’t make the hike.  I was too busy taking photos of wildflowers along the lake.

Tetrapteron graciliflorum (Hooker & Arn.) W.L. Wagner & Hoch

Hill Sun Cup (Tetrapteron graciliflorum (Hooker & Arn.) W.L. Wagner & Hock)

These were growing trailside of The Balcones Trail at Pinnacles National Park.  The yellow flowers stood out although they were very small.  The characteristics of the leaves and the petals and the unopened flowers reminds me very much of the genus of evening primrose, Oenothera.

Hill Sun Cup (Tetrapteron graciliflorum (Hooker & Arn.) W.L. Wagner & Hock)

Note the four yellow petals and also how the sepals are reflexed backwards.

Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H. Hara

Primrose-willow (Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H. Hara)

The genus Ludwigia is an old friend but this is a new species for me.  I’ve walked the trails of Archbold Biological Station many years but it was on my last trip in October 2017 that I ran across this species.

Primrose-willow (Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H. Hara)

The thing that keys me in to the genus is the inferior ovary which is typically four-sided.  The four or more sepals are attached to the top of the ovary and you can see the very short style and stigma poking above the ovary.  The stems of Ludwigia are often also square in cross section.

NAPA reports this in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida.

Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P.H. Raven

Mexican Primrose Willow (Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) P.H. Raven)

I found this in September of 2013 in Big Cypress Preserve when my friend Pat introduced me to the loop road off the Old Tamiami Trail.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to wrestle alligators to get the shot.

NAPA shows collections from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Florida.  The specific name suggests there are eight sections to the ovary (eight-valved).

Gaura angustifolia Michaux

Southern Beeblossom (Gaura angustifolia Michaux)

This little beauty was growing along the roadside to my campsite at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida.  I immediately recognized it as a member of the primrose family but had to do a little digging to find the genus.  

I’ve run into the genus Gaura before but for some reason, I always have to look it up to remember it. 

Southern Beeblossom (Gaura angustifolia Michaux)

Either the leaves have very large stipules at their base or the axillary bud is overactive in this species.

Southern Beeblossom (Gaura angustifolia Michaux)

The plant was a little past its prime in blooming but still beautiful.  The flowers are tiny and at first I didn’t think it was in bloom when I saw it.  Not only are there four petals, four reflexed sepals and four stamens, but the stigma of the pistil is four-lobed.

Blue Spring State Park

The water in the springs was cold but the manatees who overwinter had already headed south for their summer vacation.

It was a hot day and I admit to partaking of the springs.  The bottom is nice and sandy but you do have to be careful of a few rocks scattered along the shoreline.  

Chylismia claviformis (Torrey & Frem.) A. Heller

Brown-eyed Primrose (Chylismia claviformis (Torrey & Frem.) A. Heller)

I like it when I come across a new genus and new species in a familiar family.  To be honest, I never noticed these as I was driving through Death Valley National Park.  I stopped to photograph something else when I saw these next to the one I wanted to photograph.  It turns out both were in the same genus of plants.

Brown-eyed Primrose (Chylismia claviformis (Torrey & Frem.) A. Heller)

The petals are anywhere from white to pink.  I think the brown-eyed common name comes from the spots at the base of the petals.  Notice how far out the stigma and style of the pistil sticks out past the flower.

Chylismia brevipes (A. Gray) Small

Yellow Cups (Chylismia brevipes (A. Gray) Small)

Note the dark spots on the leaves.  Those typically are sunken glands.  The reason I stopped to photograph the brown-eyed primrose was I saw this plant first.  It was easy enough to see as I headed toward a morning hike in Death Valley.

Yellow Cups (Chylismia brevipes (A. Gray) Small)

You don’t normally think of members of this family as hairy but the stems and sepals are very pubescent.  Considering the desert environment, that’s not too unusual.  Pubescence helps keep dew drops on the plant.

Species/Location

Oenothera biennis
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Oenothera caespitosa
The Windows, Arches National Park
Weeping Rock Trail, Zion National Park
River Bend Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Oenothera hookeri
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Oenothera laciniata
Nature Coast Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida

Oenothera fruticosa
Deerlick Gap Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Mount Mitchell State Park, Barnardsville, North Carolina

Oenothera pallida
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Epilobium angustifolium
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Craig Thomas Discovery and Vistor Center, Grand Teton National Park
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Epilobium anagallidifolium
Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Epilobium canum
Jumbo Rocks Trail, Joshua Tree National Park
Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park,, British Columbia

Epilobium latifolium
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Tetrapteron graciliflorum
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Ludwigia peruviana
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Ludwigia octovalvis
Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

Gaura angustifolia
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida

Chylismia claviformis
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Chylismia brevipes
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Chapter 6

Polygalaceae

Wikipedia reports 21 genera and around 900 species of the milkwort family worldwide while NAPA reports seven genera in North America with 65 species.

My only experience is with the genus Polygala.  It’s a very special little plant and I’m constantly pleased whenever I run into it in the wild.

Polygala nana de Candolle

Batchelor’s Button (Polygala nana de Candolle)

This was the very first Polygala I collected while a graduate student on a field trip with Dr. Pullen on the MIssissippi Gulf Coast.  It was nice to see it again at Lake George State Forest near De Leon Springs, Florida.

Batchelor’s Button (Polygala nana de Candolle)

This is a very small plant and when you press it in a plant press and dry for 24 hours the color of the petals turns dark brown or black.  The color leaks out during the drying process.  That’s why it is so important to keep field notes.

Polygala nuttallii Torrey & A. Gray

Nuttall’s Milkwort (Polygala nuttallii Torrey & A. Gray)

This was a new species for me.  I stumbled across it on the trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia.

Nuttall’s Milkwort (Polygala nuttallii Torrey & A. Gray)

Compared to the size of P. nana, this is a giant.  The lavender color of the flowers is very nice.  Notice the flowering process begins further down on the stem.

Polygala rugelii Shuttlew. ex A Gray

Yellow Milkwort (Polygala rugelii Shuttlew. ex Gray)

The flower color is similar to P. nana but this one is much larger, especially taller.  I found this on the trail at Myakka River State Park near Sarasota, Florida.

Yellow Milkwort (Polygala rugelii Shuttlew. ex Gray)

Most Polygala have basal rosettes.  Some additionally have leaves on the stem, albeit reduced in size.

Species/Location

Polygala nana
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Polygala nutallii
West Rim Loop Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Trenton, Georgia

Polygala rugelii
Myakka River Trail, Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida

Chapter 7

Surianaceae

According to Wikipedia, there are only five genera and eight species known worldwide for this family.  NAPA shows only one genus and one species in North America and of course, it’s in Florida.

Suriana maritima Linnaeus

Bay Cedar (Suriana maritima Linnaeus)

This was growing all over Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key, Florida.

Bay Cedar (Suriana maritima Linnaeus)

I get the feeling that not a lot has been done in the studies of this family, this genus and this species.  The flower is interesting enough with five yellow petals surrounded by whorls of leaves.

Bay Cedar (Suriana maritima Linnaeus)

If you look carefully in this view, you can see the stigma of the pistil is five-lobed.  There are also tiny hairs all over the leaf surfaces.

Species/Location

Suriana maritima

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Chapter 8

Vitaceae

Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.)

This is the grape family of plants.  There are six genera in North America³ of which I am familiar with two: Vitis and Parthenocissus.  Two species stand out for me from my childhood: muscadine and Virginia creeper.  

Wild grapes in the United States were important in the viticulture industry in early America.  English and French settlers to the new world wanted to bring their wines.  The basic European grape was Vitis vinifera.  Unfortunately, it did not do well when planted in the U.S.  Wild grapes in North America produced an inferior wine.  Settlers soon discovered if you could graft V. vinifera onto the rootstocks of V. rotundifolia (muscadine) the wild rootstock did well and the vine and foliage of V. vinifera thrived and the New World could produce wines equivalent to Old World Wines.  

As trade went back and forth, American and hybrid vines from America were shipped to Europe.  Unfortunately for the French, we also shipped phylloxera, an insect that liked the leaves of North American grapes.  Phylloxera didn’t like French grape leaves (V. vinifera) but they loved the French root stocks.  They devastated the French wine industry and it collapsed. 

The answer was to ship muscadine root stocks to France where they would be grafted to French wine grapes.  Phylloxera wouldn’t then eat the American root stocks and thus the insect was wiped out.  

In essence, North America basically wiped out the French wine industry and then saved it.  For more details, you can visit the GIZMODO web site.

Vitis arizonica Engelm.

Canyon Grape (Vitis arizonica Engelm.)

Normally, I would not try to identify wild grapes in the field but this was in Zion National Park (Utah, not Arizona) and it was the only one I could find.  I later was easily able to identify it from a checklist of plants for Zion.⁴  It’s the only one listed except for Vitis vinifera.

Canyon Grape (Vitis arizonica Engelm.)

The grape was just about to flower.  It was growing along the trail next to the Virgin River in the park.

Vitis rotundifolia Michx.

Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.)

I remember picking bucket-fulls of this grape.  And then getting sick eating so many.  I still love the taste of muscadines but unfortunately, I’ve not found them to produce fruit in south Florida.  I’ve had to restrict my tasting to Florida wines which use the muscadine as a basis for their array of wines.  Life is hard.  

Not only did we eat them raw, but we would make jelly out of them and my parents, on the sly, would make muscadine wine.  Totally legal back then as it is now (based on federal laws) but not looked on fondly from the community, so it was kept hush hush. 

Most people do not know you can make wine and beer legally in the United States even if your state or county is dry.  It dates back to the Whiskey Rebellion against taxation of alcohol in 1794 when George Washington had to lead an army and put down a rebellion of the western states (that mean western Pennsylvania and western Virginia).  

In compromise, the federal government was allowed to tax whisky but individuals could make up to 40 gallons of each per adult.  In 1978, that was amended to 100 gallons due to the popular rise of home brewing in the U.S.  You cannot sell it but you can give it away to your adult friends.  

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch.)

Other than muscadine, this is favorite member of the grape family.  Growing up, there were three vines very common: muscadine, Virginia creeper and poison ivy.  In Boy Scout camp, we taught everyone “leaflets three, let it be” to ensure they knew the difference between Virginia creeper with five leaflets and poison ivy with three.  

Virginia creeper is a beneficial plant and the “grapes” are a food source for wildlife.  Poison ivy not so much.

Species/Location

Vitis arizonica

Virgin River Trail, Zion National Park

Vitis rotundifolia

Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Chapter 9

Zygophyllaceae

This is often referred to as the creosote bush family which makes you think of the western U.S.  One of my photographs is from there but the other is from the Florida Keys.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a photograph of a third member of the family, lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale) - the famous wood of the Florida Keys that is so dense it does not float.  We’ll have to settle for the two photos I do have.

Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Colville

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Colville)

My one and only exposure to this was at Jumbo Rocks campground at Joshua Tree National Park in September of 2016.  

The fruit is a capsule splitting along five lines.  As you can see in the photo, they are quite hairy.  

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) Colville)

Look carefully at the joints of the stems.  There are glands that secrete a resin.  The young shoots may also be resinous.  The compound is nordihydroguaiaretic acid and is used today as an antioxidant in foods and pharmaceuticals and it is also used in some industrial processes.⁵

Tribulus cistoides L.

Puncture Vine (Tribulus cistoides L.)

If you have ever made the mistake of stepping on this barefoot, you’ll know why it is called puncture vine.  The capsule produces the nasty, lengthy spines.  It’s native to Africa and has been introduced into the U.S.⁶

Species/Location

Larrea tridentata
Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park

Tribulus cistoides
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Chapter 10

Rhamnaceae

Commonly known as the buckthorn family, it is represented by 15 genera and 105 species in North America.⁷  The name of the family comes from the genus Rhamnus, commonly called buckthorn.

I have photographed two genera: Ceanothus and Condalia.  During my Tishomingo days, I collected Rhamnus caroliniana but that has been renamed Frangula caroliniana, obviously as a result of DNA analysis.

Condalia warnockii M.C. Johnst.

Mexican Crucillo (Condalia warnockii M.C. Johnst.)

I’m constantly surprised how many plants I saw at Saguaro National Park.  This one was in the Rincon Mountain District of the park on the Desert Ecology Trail.  The Spanish crucillo means either push pin (appropriate) or a play.

The leaves are very small and that means less surface area for evaporation of water from the plant.  

 

Mexican Crucillo (Condalia warnockii M.C. Johnst.)

This small shrub has some very dangerous thorns at the tips of the branches.  

Ceanothus arboreus Greene

Felt-leaved Wild Lilac (Ceanothus arboreus Greene)

This is a plant of the Channel Islands and one island off the Baja peninsula.⁸

I didn’t find it while on Santa Cruz but it was at the visitor center at Ventura, California (in their Channel Island’s garden).  To me, the unopened flowers were the key to me that it was a member of the buckthorn family - that and the label next to it.  I can understand the “felt-leaved” part of the common name.  The colors of the flower may at least hint at lilacs.

Ceanothus cuneatus (Hook.) Nutt.

Buck Brush (Ceanothus cureatus (Hook.) Nutt.)

This is a very attractive shrub when in bloom as it was on the Balcones Trail at Pinnacles National Park.  

Buck Brush (Ceanothus cureatus (Hook.) Nutt.)

The leaves were thick and are considered obovate (wider at the apex than at the base).  

Buck Brush (Ceanothus cureatus (Hook.) Nutt.)

The flowers were very attractive and funnelform in shape.  You can see the thickness of the leaves in this view.

Ceanothus megacarpus Nutt.

Big Pod Ceanothus (Ceanothus magacarpus Nutt.)

This was a roadside plant as I traveled from Burney Falls to Mount Shasta in California.  I had just visited the snow packed Lassen Volcanic National Park and was working my way back to Redding and decided to stop at Shasta, California.  This was along the way.

Big Pod Ceanothus (Ceanothus magacarpus Nutt.)

The leaves have that buckthorn look to them, just not as thick as some.  

Big Pod Ceanothus (Ceanothus magacarpus Nutt.)

The flowers are more trumpet shaped than C. cuneatus and more projected from the plant.  I assume it produces a rather large capsule from the common name.

By the way, upon entering this in my records and labeling the photos in my collection, I managed to misspell the specific name three different ways. I finally got it right.

Mount Shasta, Elevation 14, 179 Feet

Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.

Snowbush Ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.)

This is a pretty widespread species, at least in the western U.S.  I found it on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Signal Mountain of Grand Teton, and Crater Lake. 

Snowbush Ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.)

The flowers are similar to the other species shown here but the leaves are a little different in they are thinner.  

Snowbush Ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.)

In this photo, the plant has finished blooming and has started the production of seeds within capsules.  Notice the three lobes to the capsule.  That’s one of the ways I identify the plant.

Species/Location

Condalia warnockii
Desert Ecology Trail, Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District

Ceanothus arboreus
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Ceanothus cuneatus
Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Ceanothus megacarpus
Roadside, Shingletown, California

Ceanothus velutinus
North Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, north rim
Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park
Crater Lake National Park

Chapter 11

Celestraceae

My experience with this family was, for a long time, restricted to the genus Euonymous.  A trip to the Bugaboos fixed that little omission for other genera.  It’s an interesting family for several reason which I will try to outline as I go through the species.

Parnassia fimbriata K.D. Koenig

Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata K.D. Koenig)

I’d only seen this in books prior to my trip to the Bugaboos and then, the stuff literally was underfoot.  It was everywhere you stepped.  You couldn’t help crushing some as you hiked.  

Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata K.D. Koenig)

You can see why it is called fringed.  It has a delicate, very white flower that stands aloft from a stem with no leaves.  All the leaves are basal on the plant.

Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata K.D. Koenig)

I was so excited when I saw the plant for the first time I ignored my camera settings and everyone of my photographs came out underexposed.  I managed to finagle a little lighter exposure to it.

If you are wondering, like I was, about the name Parnassus, it’s the name of a mountain in central Greece near Delphi

Parnassia palustris L.

Northern Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris L.)

This was far less common although it was in the Bugaboos.  I found it mostly around the lake next to the lodge, growing at the shoreline.  The morning I took the photo was my last day on the trip.  There wasn’t a ripple on the lake and I got a shot I was very proud of.

Euonymous americanus L. 

Strawberry Bush (Euonymous americanus L.)

Although you cannot tell it now, the common name is very apt.  When the plant produces fruit, it has a strawberry red capsule that splits open to reveal the seeds.  You can see the strawberry red fruit with a photo by J. Micahel Raby at the North Carolina State University Extension Service.  I first collected this plant at Tishomingo and have always enjoyed it on my hiking trips ever since.

Strawberry Bush (Euonymous americanus L.)

The flowers and leaves are fairly nondescript.  This plant shines in the fall when the fruits develop and the leaves turn.

Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf.

Oregon Boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf.

When I first glanced at this I thought it might belong to the holly family but then the red flowers made me think again.  

Oregon Boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf.

Like hollies, this has four petals and four stamens and the leaves have some spines on them.  However, I’ve never found Ilex with red flowers.  A little research turned up the correct genus.  I first encountered it on the trail to Rainbow Falls, again on the Agnes Gorge Trail and finally on the Lakeshore Trail at North Cascades National Park at Stehekin, Washington.

Species/Location

Parnassia fimbriata

Eva Lake, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Parnassia palustris

Bugaboo Lake, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Euonymous americanus

Wolfden Loop Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Paxistima myrsinites

North Cascades National Park, Stehekin, Washington

Chapter 12

Oxalidaceae

Worldwide, there are five genera in the wood sorrel family but in North America, there is only one - the genus Oxalis with 36 species.⁹  Some people mistake the plants for clovers because, like clovers, Oxalis is trifoliate with the exception of Oxalis dichonrifolia.¹⁰ 

A key feature of the genus is the presence of oxalic acid in the plant.  Small amounts of oxalic acid are harmless but if you eat enough of the plants (mostly in salads), it can be dangerous because it is a fairly strong acid. .  

The salt of oxalic acid is an oxalate.  This can also cause problems in humans since calcium oxalate is a major component in kidney stones.  

Oxalates also have an effect on the plant by forming either orange or black markings on the leaves of the plant.  These markings can be diagnostic in identification.¹¹

I felt confident enough to include five species I photographed. 

Oxalis montana Rafinesque

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana Rafinesque)

At one time, this was classified as O. acetosella but in the current Flora of North America, it has been changed to O. montana if it is found in the eastern U.S.  If in the western U.S. it is O. oregana.¹²  I photographed this at Craggy Gardens Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway in June of 2017.

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis montana Rafinesque)

You can see a few black streaks on the leaflets but what drew me to this was the pink strips of the flowers with a yellow spot at the base of the petals.  

Oxalis oregana Nutt.

Red Sorrel (Oxalis oregana Nutt.)

This is the western counterpart of O. montana.  On the left side of the photo, notice the closed leaflets with the reddish-purple undersides.  If you look carefully at the flower, you’ll notice the same characteristics of O. montana.  

In June 2013, I found some growing in Muir Woods in California and then in April 2018, I found some growing at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in northern California.

Oxalis dillenii Jacq.

Dillen’s Oxalis (Oxalis dillenii Jacq.)

I photographed this at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in February of 2019 and I feel good about the identification because there is a checklist of plants for Enchanted Rock provided by Taylor and O’Kennon which lists three species of Oxalis.  One is O. drummondii which has violet flowers and the other two are O. dillenii and O. stricta.  O. stricta and O. dillenii both have yellow flowers which could be problematic but O. stricta has a totally different growth form.  Therefore, I feel pretty confident in the identification.

Dillen’s Oxalis (Oxalis dillenii Jacq.

You’ll notice the leaves have collapsed.  This is a means of lessening exposure to the sun on hot, dry days. 

Oxalis stricta L.

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta L.)

At first glance, this looks the same as O. dillenii but this is a branched form of Oxalis.  Also not there is more than one flower per stalk.  This is very common throughout the southeastern U.S. and if you have Oxalis in you yards, this is probably the one you will find.

Oxalis violacea L.

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea L.)

This is also another common species in the southeastern U.S.  This tends to invade flower beds and a lot of people mistake it for shamrocks. Shamrocks are not a separate species.  A shamrock can be Trifolium dubium, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratnse, Medicago lupulina, or Oxalis montana/Oxalis oregana.  I would add to that O. violacea since I’ve heard the term shamrock used with it frequently.

Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea L.)

This is the second photo of a plant referred to as wood sorrel, emphasizing the importance of scientific names to separate plants’ colloquialisms.  

Species/Location

Oxalis montana
Craggy Gardens Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Barnardsville, North Carolina

Oxalis oregana
Muir Woods National Monument
Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, Crescent City, California

Oxalis dillenii
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas

Oxalis stricta
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Oxalis violacea
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park
The Ledges, Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio

Chapter 13

Rhizophoraceae

The family is only represented by one genus in North America and that is Rhizophora and one species, R. mangle.  This is one of four species in Florida considered to be mangroves.  

It’s an interesting species in a lot of ways.  It grows along the edges of the ocean and is very salt tolerant.  It produces prop roots that hold it up and those prop roots often trap debris during tidal flows which is purported to be a land forming element, or at the least, abate land erosion by tides.

The seeds are precocious and the seeds develop roots before it even falls off the plant.  The seeds are buoyant and can travel long distances on the ocean currents thus an effective means of seed dispersal.  

When I first moved to Florida in 1985, I did a tour of the Everglades and one of the signs suggested that mangroves were once so thick that you could walk miles on the prop roots and never get your feet wet.  

If you see the tangle of prop roots, you’ll understand the specific epithet mangle.

Rhizophora mangle L.

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.)

The prop roots can be quite extensive.  It’s virtually impossible to wade your way through them.

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.)

Most people never see the blooms of mangroves.  Their cream color almost blends in with the light playing on the leaves of the plant.

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.)

The seeds have germinated on the plant.  When these fall into the water, the root serves as a keel and keeps the seed upright and the leaves exposed to the sun.

Species/Location

Rhizophora mangle
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Chapter 14

Euphorbiaceae

The one feature that stands out to me in members of the spurge family is the production of latex, a white milky substance in some and in others, a colored latex.  

In some of the extreme forms of the plants, they resemble cacti and are often confused with them.  In other cases, they are leafy and bushy and decidedly non-cacti-like. 

The Flora of North America reports 24 genera and 259 species.¹³  

I’ve photographed four genera and eight species.

Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (Michx.) Govaerts

Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (Michx.) Govaerts

Stimulosus indeed!  I accidentally made contact with this plant during my first year in Florida and it will stimulate you.  The pain from the trichomes which pierce your skin and break off is intense.  You’ll only need one lesson to leave this plant alone. 

Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (Michx.) Govaerts)

It lures you to it with the very attractive white flowers.  The leaves vary is shape and size but they tend to be deeply lobed.  

Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (Michx.) Govaerts)

The trichomes are the business part of the plant. They are quite large and quite brittle once they pierce your skin.

Croton argyranthemus Michx.

Silver Croton (Croton argyranthemus Michx.)

I never collected Croton in Mississippi.  I think the reason is Florida cornered the market on the plant.  It seems to be quite abundant in places, particularly in my yard.  This particular one was in Reed Bingham State Park in Georgia, but I also found it in Silver Spring State Park, Florida.

Silver Croton (Croton argyranthemus Michx.)

The leaves are densely hairy with silver trichomes from which it derives it common name.  It, of course, has a white latex. 

Stillingia sylvatica L.

Queen’s Delight (Stillingia sylvatica L.)

I’m not sure what is so delightful to the queen in this plant.  When I first saw it I wasn’t too sure what in the world it was.  Only later was I able to find it in some guide.  

Queen’s Delight (Stillingia sylvatica L.)

The flower spike is bisexual.  The lower flowers are female and the upper flowers are male.  It has the basic flower structure seen in the genus Euphorbia.

I first photographed this at Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia and later, again at Silver Springs State Park, Florida.

Euphorbia cyathophora Murray

        Fire-on-the-Mountain, Painted Leaf (Euphorbia cyathophora Murray)

This may also be called wild poinsettia although the poinsettia is E. pulcherrima.  The flowers of this plant are straight out of science fiction.  You could easily consider it a life form from Mars or from some other solar system.

The flowering structure is called a cyathium. It contains both male flowers and female flowers surrounded by a bract or cyathophyll.  Rising out of the peduncle (part that attached the flower to the stem) is and involucre that has a series of glands surrounding it as well as bract-like structures called bractioles.  The male flowers are simply stamens arising from a pedicel.  The female flower arises from a pedicel also and the ovary is held aloft from the pedicel and the stigmas and styles arise from the ovary.  

Fire-on-the-Mountain, Painted Leaf (Euphorbia cyathophora Murray)

What many consider to be the flower of poinsettias are actually colored cyathophylls or bracts.  The true flowers are the bubble-like structures inside those bracts.  These produce the white latex characteristic of the family.

Euphorbia corollata L.

Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata L.)

This plant is pretty widely distributed through the eastern U.S. and is considered by many to be a weed.  It has the characteristic white latex when injured. The cyathophylls are white.  

It’s quite abundant in my yard and can grow rather tall but spindly.  It is common enough that when I needed to explain latex production in plants, I could always find one or two of these growing in the flower beds of campus.

Euphorbia escula L.

Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia escula L.)

Leafy spurge is - well, leafy.  It has two large cyathophylls subtending the cyathium.  If you peer inside the “leaves” you’ll see the male and female flowers.  This is not native to North America and has simply escaped.  It does not appear to have become established at this time.¹⁴

Euphorbia dentata Michx.

Toothed Spurge (Euphorbia dentata Michx.)

The leaves and bracts of this tend to have teeth along their margins, thus the common name.  I came across this at Lost Maples State Natural Area in September of 2016.  

Toothed Spurge (Euphorbia dentata Michx.)

The cyathophylls are papery white in this species.  The leaf at lower right shows some of the teeth on the edges.

Euphorbia marginata Pursh

Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata Pursh)

In this case, the bracts and cyathophylls are white trimmed.  As you can probably tell from the photo, this is a robust plant.  Look for this in the central part of the U.S.  I photographed this at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Mineral Wells, Texas.  

Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata Pursh)

The overall effect of the plant is dramatic and eye-catching.  

A word about Mineral Wells.  As you might suspect, there are mineral springs at Mineral Wells.  It once was the playground of rich and famous who came to “take the cure.”  Apparently, the waters did have a salubrious effect.  It was later found the waters had a significant amount of lithium in them - a major ingredient in the drug valium.  

To facilitate the cure, luxury hotels were built in and around the springs.  A railroad brought paying customers into town from all over the United States.  Wikipedia provides a few of the famous names who partook of the waters.

To me, the pièce de résistance of the town was the Baker Hotel and spa.  

Baker Hotel - East Hubbard Street View, Mineral Wells, Texas

The hotel had fallen on hard times, as had the town, when “miracle cures” fell out of favor and with the introduction of penicillin.  

Baker Hotel Pool, Mineral Wells, Texas

Mineral Springs at Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells, Texas

You can’t even say it was shabby chic since it hasn’t been in operation for many years.  The good news is that the Texas Monthly ran an article about the proposed resurrection of the hotel.  It still has not been fully funded but there’s always hope.

Crazy Water Hotel, Mineral Wells, Texas

As you might guess, there’s a story to the name - Crazy Water Hotel.  There was a woman who was considered the town crazy.  She was pretty much uncontrollable until one day when she tried some of the water from the fountain in the hotel.  She immediately calmed down and “returned to normal” as long as she had her daily ration of water - laced with lithium chloride.

If you are in the area (it’s really isolated, even for Texas) Mineral Wells is worth the stop.

Species/Location

Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park, Haines City, Florida
Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland, Florida
Sand Hill Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Croton argyranthemus
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia
Sink Hole Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida
Sand Hill Trail, Silver Springs State Park,  Silver Springs, Florida

Stillingia sylvatica
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia
Sand Hill Trail, Silver Springs State Park,  Silver Springs, Florida

Euphorbia cyathophora
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Euphorbia corollata
Wolfden Loop Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Three Knobs Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland, North Carolina

Euphorbia escula
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Euphorbia dentata
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Euphorbia marginata
Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Mineral Wells, Texas

Chapter 15

Chrysobalanaceae

This is the cocoplum family of plants and, at one time, was closely associated with the rose family.  There are two genera and two species in North America and only one of which is restricted to south Florida.¹⁵  

Chrysobalanus icaco L.

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.)

This genus and species is restricted to south Florida and is mostly used as a hedge.  The fruits of the plant are edible and are reported to taste either like marshmallows or apples.¹⁶ 

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.)

The petals are white and the stamens and pistil are extremely hairy.

Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco L.)

The fruit, when ripe is a deep purple or black.  These photos were taken at Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Licania michauxii Prance

Gopher Apple (Licania michauxii Prance)

My exposure to this plant came from Archbold Biological Station when I took students there on field trips.  This plant grows very low to the ground and is often confused with oaks since it often grows in scrub oak forests.  

The common name comes from the flowers, fruit and leaves serve as a food source for the gopher tortoise.

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Archbold is noted for its research on the gopher tortoise.  Their burrows of the tortoises may be up to 48 feet in length and they are the original condominium species.  Their burrows may serve as home to not only the tortoises but to 360 animal species (Wikipedia). 

One species that shares the habitat is the burrowing owl.  Unfortunately, the species is threatened, mostly by habitat destruction.  I can’t forget the attempt of Broward College, South Campus to protect the burrowing owl species on campus.  

During the construction of the math/science building 69, the burrowing habitats were fenced off from the construction site.  One noted burrow for the owls was immediately crushed by a pickup from a worker on the site.  The college failed to isolate the site.  They simply fenced the burrow from the construction - not the parking of the workers.

Species/Location

Chrysobalanus icaco

Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale

Licania michauxii

Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Chapter 16

Linaceae

This is the flax family.  The cultivated flax is Linum usitatissiumum and is a food crop (flax seeds) and fiber (the cloth linen).  In addition, the oil from the seeds are known as linseed oil (Wikipedia).  

Flora of North America reports four genera and 52 species in the family.¹⁷  During my Tishomingo collections, I collected two species: L. virginianum  and L. striatum.  In my travels, I’ve only photographed L. perenne.

Linum perenne L.

Blue Flax (Linum perenne L.)

To me, this was a fairly common species in fields out west.  Flora of North America also maps it across the northern part of the U.S. as well.¹⁸

I’ve seen it in several areas of the west but have photographed it only in Zion and Yellowstone.

The petals are one of the most delicate blues I’ve run across.  In both locations, Zion and Yellowstone, it was early spring.

Species/Location

Linum perenne

Zion Canyon, Zion National Park

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Chapter 17

Ximeniaceae

This is the hog plum family.  There are four genera and 13 species worldwide but only one genus and species in North America.¹⁹ 

Fruits are drupes (think peaches) and are edible.  In India, the oil from the seeds can be made into a substitute for ghee.  The woods is a substitute for sandwalwood.²⁰

Ximenia americana L.

Hog Plum (Ximenia americana L.)

Shrubs and trees are always difficult for me to identify, especially in south Florida and especially when not in flower or fruit.  I depended on the knowledge of the staff at Archbold Biological Station for this identification by interpreting their maker.  

I pride myself on interpretations.  Wikipedia suggests the fruits are edible and then mentions the young leaves contain cyanide.  You can therefore eat the young leaves after cooking but only in small amounts.

Species/Location

Ximenia americana
Archbold Biological Station, Venus, Florida

Chapter 18

Comandraceae

I had heard of bastard toadflax before but never seen it. I found a large patch of it growing at Point Imperial in the Kaibab National Forest on our way to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  Point Imperial is the highest point on the north rim of the Grand Canyon at 8, 803 feet.  

Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.

Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.)

 I’ve only run into this plant in one place as described previously.  It’s an interesting looking plant with alternate leaves and flowers that have a pinkish tinge before they open.  

Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.)

I have no idea as to how it got its common name.  

Species/Location

Comandra umbellata
Point Imperial, Kaibab National Forest

Chapter 19

Viscaceae

Viscaceae is the mistletoe family of plants with three genera and 15 species in North America.  One genus, Viscum was purposefully introduced into the U.S.²¹    

We collected mistletoe as a kids for holiday decorations (kissed under the mistletoe) and the best source was an old pecan tree at my grandfather’s place in Pulaski.  The tree was far too tall to gather the mistletoe so the answer was to shoot pieces down with a 22 rifle.  You had to be a pretty good shot to hit the stalk of the plant at exactly the right place to bring it down out of the tree.

I learned mistletoe as not truly parasitic but everything I read these days say it is a parasite and does remove nutrients from the tree.  That’s the beauty of science.   Once it has time to study something is corrects misconceptions.

The genus I knew as a kid was Phoradendron and you could find it all over Mississippi.  My one and only set of photographs comes from Saguaro National Park of desert mistletoe.

Phoradendron californicum Nutt.

Desert Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum Nutt.)

This was growing on a Mexican crucillo (Condalia warnockii) and at first I couldn’t spot it because (1) it was so large and (2) the crucillo was multiple branched and camouflaging the mistletoe.

Desert Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum Nutt.)

In this photo, I focused in on the tangled mass of stems of the plant.  In most cases, mistletoe leaves are scale-like and you won’t see them in this photo.

Desert Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum Nutt.)

The one good thing mistletoe does is provide a habitat and food for animals.  P. californicum is only reported in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California.²²

Species/Location

Phoradendron californicum

Desert Ecology Trail, Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District

Chapter 20

Simmondsiaceae

This unusually named family is commonly referred to as the Jojoba family.  There is only one species and it is found in the desert southwest and northern Mexico.²³

This is an extremely hardy plant and is able to withstand severe drought.  The importance of the plant is in the amount of oil in the seeds - up to 50% by weight (Wikipedia).  

Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) C.K.Schneid.

Jojoba, Goat Nut (Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) C.K.Schneid.

During WWII, oil was a critical wartime commodity.  As a consequence, jojoba was often grown for their seeds to produce oil (similar to whale oil) to supplement motor oils and for lubrication of machines and guns (Wikipedia).

Jojoba, Goat Nut (Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) C.K.Schneid.

The leaves are exceptionally thick.  Flowers are separate sexes with male flowers in cymes (see glossary) and female flowers are solitary on the stem²⁴ The flowers you see in the photo are all males.

The taxonomy of the plant has undergone significant revision.  At different times, S. chinensis has been placed in the families Buxaceae and Hamamelidae.²⁵  It now constitutes its own family.

Species/Location

Simmondsia chinensis

Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District

Chapter 21

Cornaceae

This is the dogwood family that most people know in some form.  The most familiar one to people in the eastern U.S. is American dogwood or Cornus florida. If you were like me, a southerner, you were quite familiar with American dogwood.  Every spring people would ride around the country looking at the blooms of the small trees scattered in the forests.  

The family has approximately 10 genera and 90 species²⁶ worldwide, but there is only one genus in North America.  There are 20 species listed in Flora of North America.²⁷  I’ll have to say 19 of those are new to me since I only knew C. florida.

Cornus alternifolia L.f.

Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia L.f.)

I know this photo doesn’t reveal too much but if you look carefully at the leaves, they are obviously a dogwood species.  I took the photo from a distance because I was on a trail at Deep Creek in the Smokies.  The photo is already at maximum zoom.

I’m a stickler for staying on trails.  Trails often have breaks and runoffs for water.  If you go off trail, and others do the same, you run the risk of causing trail erosion.  

It is frustrating some times because if I did go off trail, I could get a better photo.  I just operate under the assumption I’ll run into it again somewhere and hope for the best.

Cornus canadensis L. 

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis L.)

Suffice it to say I had never seen this before but it is immediately recognizable, at least to me, as a dogwood family member.  My first exposure was in the Bugaboos and I later found it in other locations in the U.S.  

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis L.)

The fruits really stand out in the fall, very much like the American dogwood.

Cornus florida L.

American Dogwood (Cornus florida L.)

This is an extremely poor specimen.  It had a hard spring in the Smokies.  What most people think are petals are white bracts.  The flowers are the yellow structures in the center of the bracts.

If you look at the tips of the bracts, they are notched and brownish. You can also see some brown spots on the bracts.  Apparently the bracts are fairly sensitive to bruising.  

I’ll spare you the religious connotations I was taught as a child since I am no longer religious in any shape, form or fashion.

Cornus foemina Mill.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus foemina Mill.)

Again, the give-away is the leaves of the plant.  This was photographed at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Florida in April of 2016.

Swamp Dogwood (Cornus foemina Mill.)

The entire area of Blue Spring is kind of swampy, so this was an appropriate place to find it.

Cornus sericea L. 

Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea L.)

My first exposure to this was at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. I found this unusual in that it has white fruits instead of red. and yet the common name is redosier.  However, the young twigs are reddish. 

Species/Location

Cornus alternifolia
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cornus canadensis
Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta
Bugaboo Lodge, Columbia Mountains, British Columbia
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Ship Harbor Trail, Acadia National Park

Cornus florida
Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Cornus foemina
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida
Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Cornus sericea
Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Sequoia National Park

Chapter 22

Anacardiaceae

Poison Oak!  Poison Ivy! Poison Sumac! Poisonwood! All are members of this family of plants.  It also includes a lot of nonpoisonous species.  It’s the family of cashews, mango and pistachios.  

It’s mostly a family of trees and shrubs, but, of course, with poison ivy, it’s also includes vines.  

Eleven genera are found in North America with 38 species (NAPA). I’ve photographed three genera and six species during my travels.

Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug & Urb.

Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug & Urb.)

I had heard about poisonwood prior to moving to Florida but had never seen it.  It was only after a trip to Bahia Honda State Park in May of 2017 I actually set eyes on it.  It is common in the Florida Keys and some hammocks in the Everglades but is restricted in growth to south Florida (NAPA) Every part of the tree can cause irritation, so it’s best to leave this be.

Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug & Urb.)

Like most poisonous members of the family, burning of the wood and inhalation of the smoke can be dangerous.

Rhus aromatica Aiton

Skunkbush (Rhus aromatica Aiton)

As an undergraduate and graduate student in Mississippi, I never collected this but I did R. copalina and R. glabra.  Poison oak and poison ivy were at one time placed in this genus (Rhus toxicodendron and Rhus radicans).  However, poison oak and poison ivy have been united into one species Toxicodendron radicans.  

The common name for R. aromatica, skunkbush, seems to suggest you perhaps don’t wish to stop and smell the flowers.  I’ve only seen it in fruit, so I can’t be the judge.  I do know that the red-berried species of Rhus are often used to make tea which has a lemony taste to it.  I’ve made the tea out of R. copallina.  You can purchase powdered sumac (I assume from the dried berries) as a spice in Mediterranean cooking. 

Rhus integrifolia (Nutt.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Rothr.

Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia (Nutt.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Rothr.)

The common name adds to the idea that a lot of the fruits of this genus can be used to make a lemonade-like tea.  This was photographed at the visitor center for the Channel Islands National Park in Ventura, California.  

My experience with the genus Rhus is the leaves are pinnately compound so I was a little startled to see this with simple leaves.  If I were to base my identification strictly on the leaves of the plant and not flower, I would assume this to be a type of milkweed.  

In Boy Scouts, we were taught to make a hot tea with red sumac/staghorn sumac berries (Rhus typhina).  It was similar in taste to a hot lemonade.  By the way, make sure the berries are red.  White berries on a sumac are characteristic of poison sumac.

Rhus ovata S. Watson

Sugarbush (Rhus ovata S. Watson)

This was growing on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park.  I assume the berries are used to make tea.  If you compare this with the previous species, they look very similar except for the cluster of flowers in this species.

Rhus trilobata Nutt.

Three-leafed Sumac (Rhus trilobata Nutt.)

This has to be a hardy plant to grow in the area of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  

Three-leafed Sumac (Rhus trilobata Nutt.)

There were a few beginning leaves on this but it was primarily in flower when I saw it.

Three-leafed Sumac (Rhus trilobata Nutt.)

The USDA reports it as widespread through the western U.S. 

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze)

Hopefully, most people know how to identify poison ivy - leaflets three, let it be.  

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze)

Poison oak is no longer distinguished as different from poison ivy.  Both are T. radicans.  Poison sumac is different.  It used to be classified in the genus Rhus but has been changed to Toxicodendron vernix.  Poison sumac has the typical sumac leaf type (oddly pinnate) and the best way to tell the difference is Rhus produces red berries and poison sumac produces white berries.

Regardless of whether you are referring to poison oak, poison ivy or poison sumac, all contain the compound urushiol.  This is what caused the irritation.  Everyone is allergic to the compound to some degree. However, some people or violently allergic and can break out in blisters upon exposure and other people or only mildly susceptible to the compound.  

I can get poison ivy but it is never severe and a dose of calamine lotion cures it quickly.  I have seen people who simply brush against the plant break out in huge blisters.  

Species/Location

Metopium toxiferum
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Rhus aromatica
Red Cliffs Lodge near Moab, Utah
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Rhus integrifolia
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Rhus ovata
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Rhus trilobata
Visitor Center Nature Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park

Toxicodendron radicans
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Chapter 23

Apiaceae

Once upon a time, this was called Umbelliferae.  A large number within the family produced an inflorescence called an umbel.  This is were several flowers all rise from the same point on a stem.  The trend has been to name a family based on a genus within the family so today it is known from the genus Apium. 

Most people don’t know from umbels or Apium and therefore it is commonly referred to as the carrot family - and it does include carrots.  Not only carrots but also celery, parsley, anise, chervil, caraway, coriander, cumin, and dill.  More seriously, it includes poison hemlock from which Socrates partook.  

Chaerophyllum tainturieri Hook. & Arn.

Wild Chervil (Chaerophyllum tainturieri Hook. & Arn.)

My impression of wild chervil is a licorice taste.  I’ve seen it growing in moist areas of woods for years.  You can, in a pinch, use wild chervil seeds as a substitute or even the leaves, but it will be a stronger taste than the chervil you buy in the supermarket.  

Wild Chervil (Chaerophyllum tainturieri Hook. & Arn.)

The leaves are finely dissected on the stem.  The flowers are in the axils of leaves and in an umbel.  It’s always best to wait until the plant produces fruit for identification purposes.  

NAPA shows C. tainturieri most common in the southeastern U.S.  C. procombens is more midwest and northeast in distribution.  

Chaerophyllum temulum L.

Rough Chervil (Chaerophyllum temulus L.)

Wikipedia reports this species as poisonous and points out the specific epithet temulum means drunken - characteristics if you eat the plant.  It’s an Old World plant but NAPA reports it in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as northeastern Canada.

I photographed it along the Canal de Bourgogne near Dijon, France in 2012.  

Cymopterus terebinthinus var. foeniculaceus (Torrey & A. Gray) Cronquist

Desert Parsley (Cymopteris terebinthinus var. foeniculaceus (Torrey & A. Gray) Cronquist)

Apparently, desert parsleys are a thing in the west and I knew nothing of them.  I had never seen the genus before.  This particular one was at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho.  That’s a lava field its growing in, so it much be a tenacious little plant.

Desert Parsley (Cymopteris terebinthinus var. foeniculaceus (Torrey & A. Gray) Cronquist)

It has a compound umbel for an inflorescence and deeply dissected leaves.  The U.S. Forest Service says this has an anise aroma to it when you crush the leaves.  That is to warn animals away as an inedible plant.

Cymopterus lemmonii (J.M. Coult. & Rose) Dorn

Lemmon’s Spring Parsley (Cymopterus lemmonii (J.M. Coult. & Rose) Dorn)

This is the first of two wild parsleys I found at Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  Spring seems to be the season to find these in bloom.  Al Schneider on his website reports this particular species has great variation of flowers and leaf type based on elevations.  At some elevations, the leaves are distinctly parsley-like.  In this particular photo, they are only divided in a few places and are un-parsley-like.

This was photographed at Devil’s Overlook.

Cymopterus anisatus A. Gray

Rocky Mountain Indian Parsley (Cymopterus anisatus A. Gray)

This was the second wild parsley I found at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and it looks more like a parsley.  It was on the Rimrock Trail that leads to the visitor center at the park.  

Rocky Mountain Indian Parsley (Cymopterus anisatus A. Gray)

Another unusual feature in this one is it seems to have white flowers.  Mosts of the parsleys I found out west had yellow flowers.  As you can see, the flowers are very tiny.

Daucus carota L.

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota L.)

...or wild carrot.  Actually, this is the carrot we eat, simply escaped into the wild from gardens.  For some reason, I find this to be especially difficult to photograph.  Over the years, I’ve attempted many photos and have not been completely satisfied with any.  Not even these.  The flowers are a very pure white which makes it difficult in the first place.  Getting the entire cluster of flowers in focus is the next problem.

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota L.)

  Queen Anne’s lace produces a compound umbel (that means the umbel has umbels).  NAPA has it widespread across North America.  They also have a second species D. pusillus which I’ve never encountered.  Perhaps their characteristics are so close, I misidentified the species.

I was returning from Devil’s Tower to Rapid City when I stopped to photograph an ox-eye daisy along the road.  I pulled over right at Bridal Veil Falls along Spearfish Canyon.  

Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

I think you could fill a book with photos of bridal veil falls in the United States.  It seems most states that have waterfalls has at least one.  

Anyway, when I turned around to head back to the car, I sighed when I saw Queen Anne’s lace.  What the heck!  I gave it one more try.  I can at least live with these two photos.

Eryngium aromaticum Baldwin

Fragrant Eryngo (Eryngium aromaticum Baldwin)

NAPA maps 35 species of Eryngium with E. aromaticum restricted to Florida and Georgia.  I photographed this on the Myakka Hiking Trail near Sarasota, Florida.  

During my Tishomingo days, I collected E. prostratum and E. yuccifolium.  I admit to having difficulties separating species of this genus.  I’ve photographed many more species but have felt uncomfortable including them here because of my doubts.  This was a fairly easy species to identify.

Fragrant Eryngo (Eryngium aromaticum Baldwin)

The leaves, to me, were unique.  Notice the acicular tips of each lobe of the leaf.  Eryngium can be full of spines.  

Fragrant Eryngo (Eryngium aromaticum Baldwin)

Each flower is subtended by a bract which is also sharp with a spine.  Technically, these clusters of flowers are called heads.  That also has been an issue with me because of the aster family.  It is sometimes referred to as a head of flowers.  

I didn’t stop to smell for any aroma.  It was a hot day, a long trail, and it was all I could do to stop and take the photograph.

A lot of species of Eryngium are used in flower decorations.  

Heracleum maximum W. Bartram

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum W. Bartram)

This plant is found in the west, midwest, and northeast but not so much in the southeast (NAPA).  It is found in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina but not the rest of the southeast.  According to Wikipedia, cows do eat it as well as humans and other assorted animals. 

This is a very tall plant.  It could play in the NBA as a center. If you look carefully at the previous photo, you’ll see inflated petioles at the bases of the leaves.  This, in essence, is the same thing you see in celery.  What you are eating when you eat a piece of celery is the petiole of a leaf.  You sometimes see the leaf still attached to the top of the petiole in celery in grocery stores.  

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum W. Bartram)

Like Queen Anne’s lace, it is a compound umbel.

Heracleum sphondylium L.

Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium L.)

This plant is European and Asian (Wikipedia) and introduced into North America.  You need to be careful around this plant.  It produces a sap that once exposed to sunlight can cause severe dermatitis.  It’s not as bad as some members of the species but you may be allergic.  

Lomatium californicum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance

California Lomatium (Lomatium californicum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance)

I was totally unfamiliar with this genus of plants.  I did recognize it as a member of the carrot family and even though I traveled in the western U.S. before, it was only during my 2018 trip I ran across this.  

California Lomatium (Lomatium californicum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance)

The leaves remind me of parsley. I can’t find anything on the edibility of the plant but one reference from the California Native Plant Society web page Calscape, reports it as used medicinally by Native Americans.  

California Lomatium (Lomatium californicum (Nutt.) Mathias & Constance)

It, like many in the family, has a compound umbel.  NAPA shows it restricted to certain counties in California and Oregon.  I photographed it on the Balcones Trail in Pinnacles National Park.

I would find two more species of Lomatium on my 2018 trip.

Lomatium dasycarpus (Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

Woolyfruit Desert Parsley (Lomatium dasycarpus (Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

This plant had very dissected leaves and with the hairs on the stems and leaves, you can see why it is called wooly.

I’m not sure you can tell from the photograph but this is a very large plant.  It seemed to spread over a wide area and leaves were quite large.

Woolyfruit Desert Parsley (Lomatium dasycarpus (Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

Woolyfruit Desert Parsley (Lomatium dasycarpus (Torr. & A.Gray) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

It’s a fairly large plant with tall, flowering stalks.  This was also found at Pinnacles National Park. NAPA shows this as restricted to California.  

Lomatium grayi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose

Gray’s Biscuitroot (Lomatium grayi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

The leaves of this plant almost look like those of a spruce.  At first glance, I thought it was a low growing gymnosperm but then I saw the flowers attached to the stem.  L. grayi is a little wider dispersed through the western U.S. and includes California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico.  Interestingly, NAPA does not show it in Arizona.

Gray’s Biscuitroot (Lomatium grayi (J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose)

When you have an umbel of flowers, sometimes the more mature flowers are in the center and the younger flowers are on the periphery.  In this case, you can see the more mature flowers (brownish) are on the periphery and the younger flowers are in the center.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Plant Guide states “The tender young stems and roots of Grya’s biscuitroot were eaten by the Paiute Indians (Mahar, 1953).” 

Musineon divaricatum (Pursh) Nutt.

Leafy Musineon (Musineon divaricatum (Pursh) Nutt.)

One of the many things I learned on my 2018 cross country trip was the abundance of members of the carrot family that bloom in the spring out west.  Normally, I think of the Apiaceae as more of a summer species in the southeastern U.S. so it was a surprise to see so many blooms in this family in the spring.  

Leafy Musineon (Musineon divaricatum (Pursh) Nutt.)

The lobed leaves makes me think of chrysanthemums but the flowering head is a dead giveaway for the carrot family.  NAPA maps four species in North America with M. divaricatum the most widely distributed.  I have no idea as to the edibility of this plant.  I photographed this at the Riverbend Overlook at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit.

Riverbend Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

The overlook shelter was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 30’s.  It is still in excellent shape.

Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC.

Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC.)

If you crush the leaves of this plant, you get a licorice aroma.  The roots provide an even more pronounced aroma of licorice.  I found that out when I first collected it in Tishomingo State Park.  When you collect a plant for pressing and preservation, you have to take the flower, fruit (if present), stem, leaves and roots.  

Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC.)

The flowers are tiny and in a compound umbel.  

Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC.)

The ovary is inferior and the fruits are elongated.  Note the pubescence on the lower stem.  Even the fruits have appressed hairs.

Perideridia gairdneri (Hooker & Arnott) Mathias

Gairdner’s Yompah (Perideridia gairdneri (Hooker & Arnott) Mathias)

There seems to be some variation in the common name.  I’ve seen both yompah and yampah.  A member of the carrot family by any other name….  I wouldn’t have tried to identify this - Apiaceae are very difficult for me - but the leaves were very unusual for a member of the carrot family so I thought I would give it a try. 

It took a while but I finally was able to figure it out.  

Gairdner’s Yompah (Perideridia gairdneri (Hooker & Arnott) Mathias)

Each leave is so deeply lobed that it looks like five individual leaves.  With this detail (and its location) I was able to figure it out.

This was along the roadside to Rainbow Falls in Stehekin, Washington.

Sanicula bipinnata Hook. & Arn.

Poison Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnata Hook. & Arn.)

The genus Sanicula is an old friend and I readily recognized this plant when I saw it - not to species, but to genus.  I identified two species in Tishomingo: S. gregaria and S. smallii.  This was new.  NAPA maps it only to the state of California.

Wikipedia reports the origin of the common name is unknown since there are no known cases of poisoning on record.

Don’t get it confused with the yellow flower in the upper right of the photo.  That’s a different plant.

Poison Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnata Hook. & Arn.)

The flowers don’t loook like much.  It’s always the leaves that alert me to the genus.

Sanicula odorata (Raf.) K.M.Pryer  L.R.Phillippe

Black Clustered Snakeroot (Sanicula odorata (Raf.) K.M.Pryer  L.R.Phillippe)

This is more like the Sanicula I collected at Tishomingo.  This one was at Brandywine Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in May 2018.  

Black Clustered Snakeroot (Sanicula odorata (Raf.) K.M.Pryer  L.R.Phillippe)

What was unusual for me was the closeness of the leaves on the stem.  The two species I found in Tishomingo have a little more stem exposed.

Black Clustered Snakeroot (Sanicula odorata (Raf.) K.M.Pryer  L.R.Phillippe)

The umbel’s pedicels are so short as to constitute a head of flowers, almost globe-like in nature.  NAPA reports it throughout the midwest and eastern U.S. and Canada.

Taenidia integerrima (L.) Drude

Yellow Pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima (L.) Drude)

This is found in the midwest U.S., Canada, and southeastern and eastern U.S. (NAPA). I photographed it in two locations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park.  In both places, it was in deep woodlands.  One unusual feature to me is the leaves.  I usually think of members of the carrot family as deeply lobed, dissected, and toothed.  These are oddly pinnately compound but not deeply lobed or dissected at the individual leaflets.  

Yellow Pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima (L.) Drude)

It’s difficult to make out the flowers in this photo.  My lens had fogged over from the humidity.  At least you can see the stamens and petals.  Interestingly, some of the petals appear white whereas others appear yellow.

Thaspium barbinode (Michx.) Nutt.

Meadow-parsnip (Thaspium barbinode (Michx.) Nutt.)

My first introduction to Thaspium  was T. trifoliatum at Tishomingo.  When I found this one, it was like seeing an old friend.  

Meadow-parsnip (Thaspium barbinode (Michx.) Nutt.)

Again, it has a compound umbel of flowers. This was photographed along the Smokemont Loop Trail in April of 2019.

Zizia aurea Koch

Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea Koch)

This is another old Tishomingo friend I used to collect along the stream banks in the park in early spring.  

Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea Koch)

For some reason, the yellows of these flowers really stand out in their light green look of spring plants.  Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea Koch)

NAPA maps three species of Zizia but this is the only one I’ve ever seen or collected.  

 

Species/Location

Chaerophyllum tainturieri
Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland, Florida

Chaerophyllum temulum
Canal de Bourgogne, Dijon, France

Cymopterus terebinthinus var. foeniculaceus
North Flow Crater Trail, Craters of the Moon National Monument

Cymopterus lemmonii
Devil’s Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Cedar Point, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Cymopterus anisatus
Rimrock Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Daucus carota
Roadside, Spearfish, South Dakota

Eryngium aromaticum
Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida

Heracleum maximum
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Upper Falls of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Heracleum sphondylium
Canal de Bourgogne, Dijon, France

Lomatium californicum
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Lomatium dasycarpum
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Lomatium grayi
Cross Fissures Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Musineon divaricatum
Riverbend Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt State Park, North Unit

Osmorhiza longistylis
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Ledges, The Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Perideridia gairdneri
Roadside to Rainbow Falls, Stehekin, Washington

Sanicula bipinnata
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Sanicula ordorata
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Taenidia integerrima
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Lewis Springs Falls, Shenandoah National Park

Thaspium barbinode
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Zizia aurea
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Chapter 24

Araliaceae

There seems to be a mishmash of genera within this family.  It includes wild sarsaprilla, devil’s walking stick, ginseng, what some people refer to as pennyroyal, and even English ivy.  NAPA lists 16 genera and 27 species in North America (NAPA lists Hydrocotyle as a member of the Apiaceae but others (and me) place it in Araliaceae.

Aralia californica S. Watson

California Spikenard (Aralia californica S. Watson)

This strange looking plant was photographed in Muir Woods during a walking tour with Tom Martell.  He kindly identified the plant for me.  If I remember correctly, it was growing along the banks of a stream through the area.  NAPA shows it restricted to California and a few coastal counties in California.  

Aralia nudicaulis L.

Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis L.)

Although true sarsaparilla and root beer is made from Smilax ornata (Wikipedia), and Sassafras, you can use this species to make a type of root beer.  I found it at Thunder Hole and South Bubble Trail at Acadia National Park. 

Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis L.

Every time I found it, it was with three umbels of flowers.  In this case, the plant has already bloomed and is beginning seed production.

Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis L.

The only thing left here are the remnants of stamens, the pistils, and the ovaries.  

Aralia spinosa L. 

Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa L.)

Tishomingo State Park is rife with hills and dales.  I spent a great deal of my time climbing up one hill and down another.  Often, as I would descend one hill to get to the bottom, I would slip and start a harrowing slide down the hill.  At that point, you grab anything to stop your descent.  

The one thing you do not want to grab is devil’s walking stick.  The first photo looks pretty benign.  It’s fairly modest tree and it likes a canopy over its head so there are plenty of trees taller around it. 

Devil’s Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa L.)

These are the spines of devil’s walking stick.  They are large enough and sharp enough to puncture through gloves and I was not wearing gloves at the time.  Let’s just say it leaves an impression.  

I’ve had the privilege to accidentally grab this species twice.  Each was memorable.

Hydrocotyle umbellata L.

Water Pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata L.)

Most people in south Florida call this dollarweed because of the perfectly round leaf with a petiole sticking directly in the middle.  The technical term for a leaf like an umbrella or a mushroom cap is peltate. It is considered a semiaquatic plant.  It is also considered a major pest in lawns.  

It spreads mostly by underground stems (rhizomes) and is extremely difficult to eradicate because you have to remove all of the rhizome.  Unfortunately, most people exacerbate the problem by over watering their lawns.  

Another name for it is water pennywort but I was always taught it was hydrocotyl.  

When I first came across it during graduate school days, it was in the family Apiaceae but has since been placed in the Araliaceae.

Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.

Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus (Sm.) Miq.)

This is a low growing plant with obvious warnings.  This was growing along Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park and what stood out to me was the yellow leaves and red berries.  When I looked closer I saw the spines.  

It looks wicked but the spines were so small, I don’t think it would do as much damage as devil’s walking stick if you grabbed it.  In any case, I didn’t try to compare. 

Species/Location

Aralia californica
Muir Woods National Monument

Aralia nudicaulis
Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park
South Bubble Trail, Acadia National Park

Aralia spinosa
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida

Hydrocotyle umbellata
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Oplopanax horridus
Avalanche Lake Trail, Glacier National Park

Chapter 25

Geraniaceae

As a kid growing up, I remember visiting my Grandmother on my Dad’s side of the family in the metropolis Pulaski, Mississippi.  She and Grandad lived in a classical dog-trot house on top of a hill.  

Dog-trot houses have rooms on either side of a breezeway.  The coolest part of the house in the summer is the dog-trot.  It’s also where you found sleeping dogs in the afternoons, hence the name. 

Along the south side of the house the porch extended along the kitchen.  It was here that she hung the water bucket and dipper (made from a gourd) and also hung pots of geraniums.  I’ve loved the plant ever since.  

There are four genera in North America: California, Erodium, Geranium, and Pelargonium and 56 genera. I’ve photographed two genera and nine species.

Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.

Long-beaked Storksbill (Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.)

A lot of the members of this family have the common name “storksbill” attached to them because the capsule looks long and slender, like a stork’s bill.  

This particular plant was growing in a bed of clover, so don’t be misled by the trifoliate clover leaves.  Look at the lower right and you’ll see a green base of an ovary and a long projection coming out of the base.  That’s what’s left of the stigma and style.  When the capsule opens, it splits along the length of the style and looks similar to a stork’s mouth opening up for a fish.

Long-beaked Storksbill (Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.)

The flowers are quite attractive and the petals often have darker streaks of the flower color in them. 

Long-beaked Storksbill (Erodium botrys (Cav.) Bertol.)

To say this plant is hairy is an understatement.  The leaves are fairly deeply lobed.

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér.

Red-stemmed Filaree (Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér.)

There are plenty of “storks’ bills” in this view.  Also, note the leaves and how dissected they are.  The left side of the photo shows a thistle, so ignore that. 

Red-stemmed Filaree (Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér.)

I always try to take a side view of a flower if possible.  There are features on the sepals and undersides of petals that can be significant.  The only significant feature on the flower here are the hairy sepals and the large anthers on the stamens.

Red-stemmed Filaree (Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér.)

Where you find one, you find many.

Geranium carolinianum L.

Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum L.)

There are 37 species of Geranium listed in NAPA for North America and when you include Hawaii and Puerto Rico, the number jumps to 42.  By far and away, G. carolinianum is the most common.

The leaves are palmate and the five “fingers” of the leaf are further subdivided.  The flowers are not very large but are a delicate pink or light purple in color.  

This was photographed at Manatee Springs State Park near Chiefland, Florida.

Carolina Geranium (Geranium carolinianum L.)

The entire plant is covered in hairs.  It is also sometimes referred to as Carolina cranesbill.

Geranium dissectum L.

Cutleaf Geranium (Geranium dissectum L.)

According to NAPA, this is a bicoastal species - some on the west coast, some on the east and southeast coast.  You can see where it gets its common and specific names with the highly dissected leaves.

Cutleaf Geranium (Geranium dissectum L.)

It’s less hairy than G. carolinianum but the flower is about the same size.  Notice the sigma in the center of the flower is five-lobed.

Geranium maculatum L.

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum L.)

Of all the geraniums I’ve photographed, this is the most impressive - in size, color, and sheer beauty.  

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum L.)

The leaves are fairly large for geraniums and the stem is leafy, albeit reduced in size as it nears the top of the plant.

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum L.)

The flowers are quite large and showy and you can’t miss them when you are on a trail.  NAPA shows this pretty much in the eastern half of North America.  

I most frequently encountered this plant in the Smokies, particularly on the Smokemont Loop Trail and the Deep Creek Trail near Bryson City, North Carolina.

Geranium molle L.

Dove’s Foot Geranium (Geranium molle L.)

Again, according to NAPA, another bicoastal species.  This forms a carpet along the ground and probably is a good ground cover.

Dove’s Foot Geranium (Geranium molle L.)

I’m not sure why it is called dove’s foot because the leaf doesn’t particularly look like a dove’s foot but perhaps the venation in the leaves hint at it.  

Dove’s Foot Geranium (Geranium molle L.)

iNaturalist reports the petals as jagged. Geranium has five petals but these look like they are multi-petaled.  I think what iNaturalist means is the petals are deeply cleft and there are five that look like 10.

Geranium potentilloides L’Hér ex DC.

Cinquefoil Geranium (Geranium potentilloides L’Hér ex DC.)

When I first saw this, I did indeed think it was a member of the genus Potentilla.  The white flowers are what fooled me and then when I looked closer, I saw the typical geranium flower.  A closer look showed the geranium leaf, and if you look at lower center, you can see the “cranesbill” arising.

Cinquefoil Geranium (Geranium potentilloides L’Hér ex DC.)

I find it fascinating that you can begin to pick out characteristics in plants that key you into their identification.  What is it in our brain that allows us to retain a characteristic and apply it later in another circumstance?  

I’ve always felt I had an affinity for recognition.  One thing I could not teach some students was to look at an image in a book and then look at a microscope slide of the same image and make the comparison.  Some students intuitively understood.  Others, with a little prodding developed the ability but there was a hard core of students that could never make the correlation.

NAPA shows this restricted to the state of California. I photographed it at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Geranium robertianum L.

Robert’s Geranium (Geranium robertianum L.)

It must be nice to have a geranium named after you.  At first glance, this looked like an Oxalis.  When I looked closer, I saw the very divided trifoliate leaves and typical geranium flower structure.

Robert’s Geranium (Geranium robertianum L.)

I found this in two locations in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge: Multnomah Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.  Not a lot was blooming at either site but this certainly stood out.  The flowers are very small and yet the splash of color grabs your attention.  It seems this is fairly widely distributed in the U.S. with the exception of the midwest (NAPA).

Geranium viscosissimum Fisch. & C.A.Mey.

Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)

This is a western species (NAPA).  It gets its name from the glandular hairs on the leaves, stems and flowers.  It is, indeed, sticky to the touch.

Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)

This is a tall, upright plant and the flowers are large for a geranium - on par with G. maculatum.  

Species/Location

Erodium botrys
River Trail, Redding, California

Erodium cicutarium
Roadside, Zion National Park
Pipe Springs National Monument
Eureka Peak, Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park
Point St. George, Crescent City, California
Mount Rainier National Park
Hidden Canyon Retreat, Baker, Nevada
Pulpit Rock Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Geranium carolinianum
Nature Coast State Trail, Chiefland, Florida

Geranium dissectum
Point St. George, Crescent City, California

Geranium maculatum
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Geranium molle
Chagny, Bourgogne, France
Point St. George, Crescent City, California

Geranium potentilloides
Glen Camp Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore

Geranium robertianum
Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Bridal Veil Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Geranium viscosissimum
West Thumb Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Dunraven Pass, Yellowstone National Park
Moose Falls, Yellowstone National Park

Chapter 26

Sapindaceae

This is the family of maples, buckeyes, and some exotics (to us) as lychee and ackee.  I grew up with maples and buckeyes and had heard of lychees but it wasn’t until I moved to Florida that I tasted lychees - and they were fresh off the tree.  Ackee is not native but there is one that grows in the neighborhood or I would never know that otherwise.

NAPA lists 21 genera in North America with 19 species.  If you include Hawaii and Puerto Rico there are 23 genera. NAPA does not list maples in with the family but they are now included with the Sapindaceae. There are 17 species of maples listed for North America (NAPA). Additionally, buckeyes are now included and NAPA lists 13 species of buckeyes.

One of the reasons the Flora of North America Project is so important is to serve as a reference base for all the species.  From there errata can be provided as new evolutionary relationships are discovered.  Just as an example, the last update of the Biota of North America Program was 12/15/2014.  The Plant List seems to have last been updated in 2012.  The last volume I received for Flora of North America was 2018.  Until the other sites are updated or until the flora project is completed, it is difficult to conclusively decide what categories to place families, genera and species.  The good news is it offers botanists long-term job opportunities.

Acer macrophyllum Pursh

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum Pursh)

The leaves had not come out when I photographed this and I wasn’t even sure it was a maple until I had time to look it up after the trip.  It was in Stehekin, Washington near North Cascades National Park on the road to Rainbow Falls.  

Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum Pursh)

I had never really seen maples bloom.  I usually see the winged fruits (called samaras) or I can readily identify most maples by the shape of the leaf (think the Canadian flag).  

I can only assume the leaves are larger than most maples from the common and scientific names.

Acer negundo L.

Boxelder (Acer negundo L.)

As far as I know, this is the only member of the genus Acer  that has pinnately compound leaves.  You can see the samaras hanging in twos (like all maples) from the branches.  Boxelder is the most widely distributed species of Acer in North America - found in the 48 contiguous United States and most of Canada (NAPA).

I knew of this from my Boy Scout days.  Our scoutmaster was pretty intent on us learning natives in our area.  As far as Mississippi goes, the most common maple is the red maple and boxelder is probably a distant second.

There were three or four trees important to us in scouting: red maple, boxelder, sweet gum, and hickory.  When we camped, our scout leaders often had us make a camp table by cutting trees around the campsite (we were allowed to camp at Roosevelt State Park in Morton Mississippi if we cleared out some of the vegetation).  

Using the trees above, we would select them by size for the table legs, the table cross pieces for the table top and seats, and then the table top itself (smaller diameters) and seat tops.  

We then had to lash everything together using the knots learned in scouting.  It was a good exercise, it helped the park, and we had a place to sit other than on the ground for eating.

Sadly, we did such a good job of cleaning the area for the state park, they took back the area and made it into campsites for park visitors.

Acer pensylvanicum L.

Striped Maple, Goosefoot Maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.)

I go 70 years without seeing the actual maple flower and in two back-to-back  trips, I see two different species with blooms - go figure.  This particular photo was taken on the Smokemont Loop Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2019. As you can tell by the photograph, it’s really hard to determine the blooms since they are so similar in color with the leaves.

Striped Maple, Goosefoot Maple (Acer pensylvanicum L.)

In this photo, you can see the samaras (winged achenes).  This was taken at Crabtree Falls Trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  When mature, the samaras break off and helicopter away from the parent plant so when the seeds germinate, they are not in competition with the parent tree.

Acer rubrum L. 

Red Maple (Acer rubrum L.) 

Red maple is common throughout the eastern United States (NAPA).  It tends to like moist or even wet soils.  You can easily tell the species by the red petioles (some other maples have that as well) and the size (smallish) of the leaves.  

Red Maple (Acer rubrum L.)

The real reason it is called a red maple is the blood red samaras that you see in the spring.  The leaves don’t appear until after the samaras have fallen away.  

I guess another reason it is called red maple is the leaves turn red in the fall.  Honestly, I think all maples pretty much turn red in the fall.

Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum (Torr. & A.Gray) Desmarais

Canyon Maple (Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum (Torr. & A.Gray) Desmarais)

The common name may give you a hint as to where I photographed this.  It was along the Weeping Rock Trail in Zion National Park. 

View from Weeping Rock Trail - Zion National Park

Weeping Rock is a very pretty, short 0.3 mile out and back trail.  AllTrails reports it has a waterfall but at best, its dripping water from seepage of the sandstone formation.  It forms a natural cavern and you can get a great overview of a lot of the park features from that location.

Canyon Maple (Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum (Torr. & A.Gray) Desmarais)

Grandidentatum refers to the large teeth in the palmately lobed leaf.  To me, these were the largest samaras I have encountered.

Acer spicatum Lam.

Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum Lam.)

This was a new species for me in June of 2017 when I found it along the Craggy Gardens Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Later, in June of 2018, I found it in Shenandoah National Park.  The leaves are only slightly maple-like and they are papery to the touch unlike most maple leaves which have a smooth texture to them.

Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum Lam.)

I assume the specific name is due to the spike-like cluster of flowers. In reality, it’s technically a raceme of flowers, but the effect is startling whichever the case.

Aesculus flava Sol.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava Sol.)

I had pulled over to the Glassmine Falls Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see if I could see the falls (barely) when I noticed butterflies all over a tree in bloom.  The butterflies looked to be black swallowtails and there were dozens getting nectar from the blooms.  

I had never seen a yellow buckeye before, much less one in bloom.  It took me a moment until I focused away from the butterflies to the palmately compound leaf of the tree.  I then recognized it had to be a type of buckeye.

Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava Sol.)

The yellow flowers threw me.  I have encountered A. pavia which is the scarlet buckeye with very red flowers, so this yellow one was a nice find.

Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig

Ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig)

If the genus sounds familiar, that’s because the plant is named after Captain Bligh of mutiny on the HMS Bounty fame.  He brought the plant back to Kew Gardens in England.  Wikipedia states it is the national fruit of Jamaica.  

If you look at the Wikipedia article, you will also see that it has a poisonous fruit and yet people do eat it.  From what I’ve been able to determine, you have to pick the fruit at exactly the right time or you will be poisoned.  Seems to me a little like eating puffer fish based on someone with general knowledge of how to remove the poisonous structure from the fish.  I’ll pass.  The Missouri Botanical Garden has an interesting description. 

Flowers are arranged in what is said to be a sessile cyme (Missouri Botanical Garden) but it appears to me to  be more of a raceme.  The flowers are unisexual and there are five petals and five stamens.  The photo shows mostly male flowers.

Ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig)

The leaves are interesting in they are evenly pinnately compound.  NAPA shows it only in Puerto Rico but there is a tree in my neighborhood - a good size tree - probably planted as an ornamental many years ago.

 The fruit (a capsule with three chambers) turns red when ripe and falls to the ground.  Usually, when it hits the ground, the splits into three pieces.  There are three black seeds in each chamber and each seed has a fleshy, white or cream colored structure at the base.  The technical term for this is an aril.  It’s an extra seed covering (but only on the base of each seed, in this case).   

Ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig)

Just think of nutmeg and mace.  Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit and mace is the aril around the seed.  

In any case, the aril is the edible portion of ackee and only the aril.  The aril is actually poisonous if the fruit is picked at the wrong time.  

Ungnadia speciosa Endl.

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa Endl.)

This was growing at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.  It was my second visit to the caverns with the first one in the early 70’s.  I don’t remember seeing this on the first trip.

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa Endl.)

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center reports the seeds and the foliage as poisonous.  I’m surprised the national park service allows the trees anywhere near the public with so many young kids running around that area.

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa Endl.)

I can see why some people refer to it as a buckeye.  It does have a resemblance but this is a three lobed capsule with the seeds inside.

Species/Location

Acer macrophyllum
Road to Rainbow Falls, Stehekin, Washington

Acer negundo
Along North Fork of Virgin River, Zion National Park

Acer pensylvanicum
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, Barnardsville, North Carolina

Acer rubrum
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nature Coast Trail, near Fanning Springs, Florida

Acer saccharum subsp. grandidentatum
Weeping Rock Trail, Zion National Park

Acer spicatum
Craggy Gardens Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Barnardsville, North Carolina
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Aesculus flava
Glassmine Falls Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Black Mountain, North Carolina

Blighia sapida
SW 16th Court, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ungnadia speciosa
Amphitheater Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Chapter 27

Apocynaceae

This is commonly referred to as the dogbane family. Many members of the family produce a white latex that can be poisonous.  Wikipedia says the term dogbane comes from some species were used to poison dogs.  NAPA lists 33 genera with 22 genera and 48 species in North America.  I’ve photographed six genera and 11 species.

Asclepias curassavica L.

Mexican Butterfly Weed (Asclepias curassavica L.)

I traveled far afield to get this photo - my back yard.  A colleague at the college, Terri, provided me a plant to attract monarchs.  It certainly did that.  It spread like wildfire in the flower beds and monarch caterpillars would eat it down to the bare stems and even some of the stems.  Better yet, they often produced their chrysalis on the plant and I got some excellent photos of the butterflies, the caterpillars, the chrysalises and emergence into the adult stage.  

Monarch Chrysalis Attached to My Patio Chair

Monarch Caterpillar Feeding on Asclepias curassavica

Emergence of Monarch Adult from Chrysalis - it has to pump air into its wings to expand them.

Asclepias, at one time, was in its own family of plants, the Asclepidiaceae.  Apparently, further research has them more closely associated with the Apocyanaceae.  They certainly have the latex sap in common.  

Stem Showing White Latex Oozing from the Plant

That’s why monarchs feed on the plant.  The toxins in the sap are harmless to the caterpillar and adult but make them toxic to any prey.  Birds, once they feed on a monarch caterpillar or adult quickly regurgitate and never try that experiment again.  

The viceroy butterfly takes advantage of that and mimics the color patterns of the monarch.  Birds leave the viceroy alone as well as the monarch even though the viceroy is perfectly edible.

The flowers are a bit science fiction-like.  You think you are looking at a flower from another planet.  The flowers are found clustered together in an umbel.  There are five sepals and five petals.  When the flower opens, the sepals become hidden as the petals become reflexed.

Atop the petals is a corona (or crown) and attached to the crown are five hoods with five horns.  

Like any crown, the center is hollow.  Coming up from the center of the crown is a gynostegium.  This is a complex structure that has both the five stamens (fused) and styles of the ovary.  

The anther of each stamen is split into halves, so five stamens, 10 halves.  The half of one stamen is joined to the half of another stamen by a glandular structure called the corpusculum.  

Pollen from these joined stamens are formed into masses called pollinia which are like sacs of pollen.  

The hoods contain nectar.  As an insect approaches to obtain the nectar, the feet of the insect slide down into crevices of the adjacent co-joined anthers and pick up a pollinium.  If it visits another flower, that pollinium from the first can be deposited atop the gynostsegium of the second flower, thus establishing the possibility of fertilization.  

All of this escaped me in graduate school.  I had no concept of pollinia except from a brief description in the texts.  I had no idea of the function of the hoods nor of the anatomy of the flower.  Fortunately, the species are fairly  easy to distinguish, even in the field.  Secondly, thanks to the internet, students today can access this information.  Most of my knowledge came from Orbis Environmental Consulting’s web page written by Scott Namestnik.  

Asclepias produces a follicle which is a dry fruit that splits along one suture to open and disperse the seeds.  The seeds are tufted with hairs to allow them to float on the breeze for seed dispersal.

Follicle of Asclepias curassavica

Tufted Seeds of Asclepias curassavica

Asclepias curtissii A. Gray

Curtiss’ Milkweed (Asclepias curtissii A.Gray)

This was an exciting find for me, both for the beauty of the plant and that it is considered endangered for the state of Florida (Institute for Systematic Botany, Atlas of Florida Plants).  NAPA reports it only in the state of Florida, therefore it should be considered as endangered throughout North America.  I stumbled upon it at Silver Springs State Park in June of 2017 along one of the trails.

Curtiss’ Milkweed (Asclepias curtissii A.Gray)

The petals are light green to cream colored and the hoods are really pronounced.  

Asclepias exaltata L.

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata L.)

Asclepias is the Greek god of healing and some milkweeds have been attributed to medicinal remedies.  I may have needed some after this photograph.  After I took the photos, I realized I was standing in a bed of poison ivy.  

This is a very tall milkweed - probably the tallest I’ve encountered.  What makes it interesting to me is the flowers all point downward when fully open.  

 

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata L.)

I think the common name comes from the similarity of the leaves to poke weed (Phytolacca americana) common throughout the southeastern U.S. 

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata L.)

Because the flowers hang down, it was difficult to get a good shot.  The horns seem to be exceptionally long in this species.  I have yet to find a function for the horns.  The petals start out as light green and seem to get whiter as the flower matures.

Asclepias humistrata Walter

Purple Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata Walter)

I met this at Reed Bingham State Park in Georgia for the first time in May of 2016 and later on the Nature Coast State Trail between Chiefland and Fanning Springs, Florida in March of 2017.  

It’s an impressive milkweed with the largest leaves I’ve seen on any.  The mid vein is quite large and prominent and you can see the leaves are opposite each other on the stem.  NAPA shows it restricted to North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and rare in Louisiana.

Purple Milkweed (Asclepias humistrata Walter)

The flowers are quite large and do indeed have a purplish tinge to them.  The horns seem to be totally surrounded by the hoods unlike the previous species.

Asclepias pumila (A.Gray) Vail

Plains Milkweed (Asclepias pumila (A.Gray) Vail)

This is aptly named - found on the plains of the midwest from Texas north to Montana (NAPA). I found it growing along the roadside near Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

Plains Milkweed (Asclepias pumila (A.Gray) Vail)

The very narrow, linear leaves stood out to me and this makes sense as a means to retard water loss.  The plains can get very dry in the summer months.

Asclepias speciosa Torr.

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa Torr.)

Perhaps this should be called purple milkweed.  The showy name also works!  It indeed was very purple.  This is unusual to see the petals sticking straight out and not reflexed like most milkweeds.  

This was taken along the roadside at Devil’s Tower National Monument.  I later found it again at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

Cynanchum northropiae (Schltr.) Alain

Fragrant Swallowwort (Cynanchum northropiae (Schltr.) Alain)

My experience with milkweeds is they are mostly perennial herbs.  However, there are some vines in the family Apocynaceae.  NAPA shows 14 species of Cynanchum in North America and this one is restricted to Florida.  The Plant List reports this as an unresolved name with two possible synonyms: Metastelma northropiae and Epicion northropiae.  I’ll stick with C. northropiae.   

Fragrant Swallowwort (Cynanchum northropiae (Schltr.) Alain)

This was photographed at Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key, Florida.  It has some of the characteristics of Asclepais.  I suspect there is latex in the sap.  I think I smelled it before I saw it.

Mandevilla macrosiphon (Torr.) Pichon

Plateau Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla macrosiphon (Torr.) Pichon)

NAPA does not list this as a species, yet The Plant List does.  The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Plants Database show it in Texas.  I photographed it in Big Bend National Park, so I’ll go with it.  

Plateau Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla macrosiphon (Torr.) Pichon)

The flowers are large and in a trumpet shape with the petals twisted.  The leaves were rather thick and wavy along the edges.

Plateau Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla macrosiphon (Torr.) Pichon)

Since it is illegal to pick flowers in most state parks and all national parks, I can only surmise it has a latex sap.

Plateau Rocktrumpet (Mandevilla macrosiphon (Torr.) Pichon)

Pentalinon luteum (L.) B.F.Hansen & Wunderlin

Wild Allamanda (Pentalinon luteum (L.) B.F.Hansen & Wunderlin)

This has only been reported in Florida by NAPA which is appropriate since I photographed it both at Bahia Honda State Park and along the roadside of the National Keys Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key.  

Wild Allamanda (Pentalinon luteum (L.) B.F.Hansen & Wunderlin)

It’s a climbing vine and a rather large one at that.  It has that in common with the allamanda’s planted as ornamentals throughout south Florida.  

I wasn’t familiar with the genus until I moved to Florida and then it seemed everyone had allamandas of some type planted on fence rows.  

This particular species really stuck out on the road to Little Pine Key.

Rhabdadenia biflora (Jacq.) Müll.Arg.

Mangrove Rubber Vine (Rhabdadenia biflora (Jacq.) Müll.Arg.)

This has to be one of the most delicate pinks I’ve ever seen.  The Atlas of Florida Plants shows it is restricted to Florida to several southeastern counties and some east coast counties.  

It’s named mangrove rubber vine because it does grow in and among mangroves.  I photographed it near mangroves at Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Mangrove Rubber Vine (Rhabdadenia biflora (Jacq.) Müll.Arg.)

Sarcostemma clausum (Jacq.) Schult.

White Milkweed Vine (Sarcostemma clausum (Jacq.) Schult.)

Another naming confusion.  NAPA lists this as Funastrum clausum and shows it restricted to Florida and Texas.  The Plant List considers Sarcostemma clausum as an accepted name.  I guess I’ll have to wait until the volume comes out in the Flora of North America Project for final determination.  

Put 20 botanists in a room and you’ll get 20 different opinions on taxonomy.  

White Milkweed Vine (Sarcostemma clausum (Jacq.) Schult.)

This plant definitely has some milkweed features to it.  I found in climbing along the canals of Shark Valley in Everglades National Park.

Species/Location

Asclepias curassavica
Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Asclepias curtissii
Silver Springs State Park, Florida

Asclepias exaltata
Jonas Ridge, Pisgah National Forest
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park
Chestoa Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway

Aclepias humistrata
Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia
Nature Coast State Trail, Chiefland, Florida

Asclepias pumila
Roadside near Devil’s Tower, Wyoming

Asclepias speciosa
Roadside near Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
Boicourt Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit

Cynanchum northropiae
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Mandevilla macrosiphon
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Pentalinon luteum
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida
Roadside National Keys Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key, Florida

Rhabdadenia biflora
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sarcostemma clausum
Along canals of Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Chapter 28

Convolvulaceae

Ah!  Morning glories!  What a wonderful family of plants!  It’s mainly composed of vines but there are some shrubs and trees.  One of my favorite vines is Ipomoea batatas better known as the sweet potato.  By the way, what you eat of the sweet potato is a tuberous root.  True yams are not sweet potatoes.  Yams belong to the genus Dioscorea.  The family also includes some parasites, in particular, the genus Cuscuta.  

Flowers are most often trumpet shaped (the five petals are fused along most of their length). The leaves are alternate and often lance or arrow head shaped.  NAPA shows 16 genera and 120 in North American and I have photographed four of the 17 genera and seven of the 120 species.  During my Tishomingo days, I collected five genera and six species.²⁸

Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt

Coastal Morning Glory (Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt)

Calflora reports this as a California species that just goes beyond its borders (I assume Mexico).  That seems appropriate since I found it just about everywhere on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Island National Park.

Coastal Morning Glory (Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt)

The leaves are the classical arrow head shape or spear shape alternately arranged on the vine.

Coastal Morning Glory (Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt)

The technical term for the leaf shape is hastate.  You decide if it is more like an arrow head or a spear head.

Coastal Morning Glory (Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt)

The color varies from pure white to pink around the edges and veins of the petals.  This was a new genus for me and the reason, I think, is NAPA only shows two species (C. silvatica and C. catesbeiana) recorded in Mississippi and Florida - my major plant collecting grounds.  

This stuff was all over the island in just about every habitat on the island.

Convolvulus arvensis L.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.)

You may wonder the difference between this flower and the previous one.  I admit to having difficulty on distinguishing among Calystegia, Convovulus and Ipomoea.  They all look alike to me, at least superficially.  

In a paper by Daniel Spaulding, Curator of Collections, Anniston Museum of Natural History, he delineates between Calystegia and Convolvulus.  There are four things that stand out to him: Calystegia has very large sepals,  Convoluvlus does not; Calystegia has ovaries that are partitioned into two, Convolvulus  has only a single chamber; Calystegia has swollen stigmas, Convolvulus has filament-like stigmas; and Calystegia has pollen grains with lots of pores and Convolvulus has pollen grains with three grooves in them.  

I’ll be the first to tell you I did not base my identification on those characteristics.  Instead, I used local field guides and the locations of the plants for identification along with plant checklists.  

Additionally, NAPA considers C. arvensis as a noxious weed.  Wikipedia reports it as native to Europe and Asia.

The best that I can tell, Ipomoea has stamens and stigmas that don’t show from the bell of the flower whereas in Calystegia and  Convolvulus, they are exerted out of the flower and showy.²⁹

To further confuse me, this was growing in the same location as Calystegia macrostegia.  I also found it at Mount Rushmore.

Dichondra carolinensis Michx.

Carolina Ponyfoot (Dichondra carolinensis Michx.)

I think I’ve only found this in bloom once in my life and I didn’t have a camera with me.  It produces a small white bloom and I consider it more a weed than a wildflower (although I like weeds too).  The leaves are said to be reniform (kidney shaped) and they are very small.  You actually have to be looking at the ground cover to even see this plant.  It is often considered a pest in lawns.

NAPA shows this widely distributed throughout the southeastern U.S. and as far north as Illinois and Pennsylvania.  I can’t find any information as to whether it is native or introduced.

True to form, I found it in my lawn.

Ipomoea alba L. 

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba L.)

There’s no mistaking this flower yet, if you look at the flower, the stamens are exerted, contrary to what the flora states.³⁰

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba L.)

The reason this plant is easy to identify is the chordate leaves (heart shaped) and the yellowish streaks along the corolla tube (petals).  In addition the edge of the petals seem to be pointed.  

Moonflower (Ipomoea alba L.)

I’ve found this in two locations in the state: Old Loop Road off the Tamiami Trail and Bahia Honda State Park.  The flower is certainly arresting!

Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr.

Oceanblue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr.)

This little beauty was found on the Atlantic side of Bahia Honda State Park, so it comes by its common name honestly.  

Oceanblue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica (Burm.) Merr.)

Other than the very attractive bloom, what stood out to me was the leaves.  They are palmate in venation and almost trifoliate in the sense of three large lobes.  Also, note the leaf serves as a tendril.  It’s a little unusual in plants to see a leaf twine around a structure.

Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.Mey

Wild Sweet Potato (Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.Mey.)

I. pandurata is widespread throughout the eastern U.S. and a little into the midwest.  It has chordate leaves and the flower is white with a pink center.  When I collected it at Tishomingo, I had to dig up an enormous root.  Wikipedia relates you can roast it and eat it.  I’ll stick with commercially grown sweet potatoes.  This was growing near my cabin at F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs, Georgia.

Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.

Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.)

Over the years, I kept coming across this vine at the wrong time - while taking students on zoological field trips down in the Keys - and never in bloom.  For some reason, back then, I wasn’t into photographing plants, and as I previously explained, it was the Tauck “Spirit of the Desert Southwest” tour that got me started again with plants.  

In any case, I finally had a camera in hand when I ran into this at Fort Jefferson National Monument at Dry Tortugas.  I never got a photo that I liked but there’s always next time!  

To me, the most unusual feature of this plant are the leaves.  

Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.)

Speaking of Dry Tortugas (dry turtles) I used to sit at the 500 kilohertz (khz)  station at Radio Station New Orleans (now named Communications Station New Orleans) back in the 70’s copying Morse code.  We monitored that frequency because that was the distress frequency for all ships.  If you were to pick up an SOS, it would be at 500 khz.  Yes, I copied several SOS’s during my tour in the Coast Guard.  

Anyway, most of the traffic was mundane ship reports - positions, weather reports, etc.  I kept copying the statement (in Morse code) “passing Dry Tortugas”.  Finally, I had enough and walked over to a chart we had and finally found Dry Tortugas. 

As you can see, it’s a little north and west of Key West.  It’s one of the national parks I’ve visited in 2014.  Key West claims to be the southernmost point in the continuous United States and as you see from the map from Apple, it’s true.  

Apparently Spanish explorers found sea turtles at Dry Tortugas but no water, hence the name (turtle in Spanish is tourga).  There are two ways to get there: by boat or by sea plane.  If you leave out of Key West, you can take a boat that takes two hours to get there and two hours to get back.  The only consolation is they serve booze on the trip.  

I took the sea plane.  Our pilot was a former bush pilot from Alaska and he looked all of 25 years old. He was very competent and kept us entertained during the flight.  The sea plane is the way to go.  It gets there before the tour boat and leaves after the tour boat so you get more time on the island with less crowds.

Fort Jefferson is the largest brick structure in the Americas and it’s not even finished.  The Fort is massive.

Main Entrance (and only entrance) to the Fort

The fort was originally designed to have three stories.  As they began construction, the first level begin to sink into the ocean and so they stopped at two.  

Parade Ground Inside the Fort

Second Tier of the Fort

Some of you may know the story of Dr. Mudd who treated the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth.  He was considered a conspirator for that act and sentenced to prison at Fort Jefferson.  During his stay, a yellow fever epidemic broke out at the fort and he distinguished himself in the treatment of the inmates.  

I later served with a great grandson of his, Richard Mudd, on board the CGC Reliance out of Corpus Christi, Texas.  His family was still trying to clear the name.

Lighthouse at Fort Jefferson

Moat Around Fort Jefferson

Species/Location

Calystegia macrostegia
Santa Cruze Island, Channel Islands National Park

Convolvulus arvensis
Mount Rushmore National Park

Dichondra carolinensis
Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ipomoea alba
Old Loop Road off Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Ipomoea indica
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Ipomoea pandurata
Roadside, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Ipomoea pes-caprae
Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park

Chapter 29

Gelsemiaceae

At one time, this was lumped in with the family Loganiaceae (which follows Gentianaceae in the new hierarchy).  The Plant List has two genera under this family: Gelsemium and Mostuea.  I’ve never come across the latter.  Nine species are listed under the genus Mostuea and three are listed under Gelsemium.  I’ve only come across Gelsemium sempervirens. 

The characteristics of the family are somewhat similar to Convolvulaceae in that the petals are arranged in a floral tube and tend to be trumpet shaped.  Also, like the Gentianaceae, the stamens are found attached to the petals.

Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil.

Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil.)

This is not a “true” jasmine.  That belongs to the olive family and is in the genus Jasminum.  Like some jasmine, Gelsemium is a vine.  I remember it as a kid often growing exceptionally high in the canopy of trees, particularly in the spring of the year.  As you can see in the photo, those yellow blooms stand out against the drab background of winter.  Often, you smelled this plant before you saw it.  Many times I have been walking a trail and smell a wonderful aroma and look around.  It’s only when I looked up I saw the blooms.

Wikipedia reports the plant contains a toxin similar to strychnine and even reports that children, who mistaken the plant for honeysuckle, have become ill from the nectar. Gleason reports all parts of the plant are poisonous.³¹

Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil.)

The flowers are a delicate shade of yellow.  In the left-most flower, you can just see the stamens attached on the petals.  Fortunately, I found some growing low along the trail and did not have to shimmy up a tree.

My Latin is none too good, but Wiktionary says sempervirens means evergreen (in relation to plants).

Species/Location

Gelsemium sempervirens

Falling Waters State Park, Chipley, Florida

Coastal Nature Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida

Chapter 30

Gentianaceae

Over the years, I’ve either collected or photographed six genera of this family and eight species.  The main features that seem to unite the family are petals fused into a corolla tube and the stamens attached to the petals (epipetalous).  The plant can be an herb, shrub, or tree, but I’ve only seen herbs.  The ones I have seen vary in flower color from white to pink, to deep blue.  The leaves are opposite.

NAPA maps 20 genera and 109 species in North America. 

Gentianella amarella (L.) Harry Sm.

 

Northern Gentian (Gentianella amarella (L.) Harry Sm.)

This was certainly northern.  I found it in Alberta and British Columbia.  The first time I saw it was at Lake Louise.  

Northern Gentian (Gentianella amarella (L.) Harry Sm.)

Gentian violet is the name of a stain used in microbiology (now called crystal violet).  However, the name gentian violet was named for the deep purple color of the stain and how it related to the color of members of the gentian family.  

I’ve always wondered why this was not called fringed gentian - that’s another genus and species.

NAPA shows this throughout Canada, Alaska, and most of the western United States.

Gentianopsis thermalis (Kuntze) H.H. Iltis

Rocky Mountain Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis thermalis (Kuntze) H.H.Iltis)

This looks more like scalloped gentian than fringed gentian - if I were naming the plant.  However, if you look closely at the petals, you can see a fringed edge to each petal - albeit slight.  This was a startling flower, particularly against the background of geysers in Yellowstone.

Sabatia grandiflora (A.Gray) Small

Large Flower Rose Gentian (Sabatia grandiflora (A.Gray) Small)

I’m not sure why it is called “large” flower because every Sabatia I’ve seen has very large flowers, but we’ll go with it.  NAPA reports it in Florida and rarely in Georgia and Alabama.  This was found on the Loop Road off the Old Tamiami Trail in Big Cypress Preserve in March of 2013.

Sabatia stellaris Pursh

Star Sabatia (Sabatia stellaris Pursh)

All Sabatia that I have come across look alike which makes it easy to identify the genus.  The devil, however, is in the details - to separate out species.  

I found this at the edge of seasonal ponds at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park near Haines City, Florida.  Actually, I had to wade out a little ways to get the photograph.

Species/Location

Gentianella amarella

Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

The Bugaboos, Columbia Mountain Range, British Columbia

Moraine Lake, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Dead Elk Lake, The Bugaboos, Columbia Mountain Range, British Columbia

Gentianopsis thermalis

Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Sabatia grandiflora

Loop Road, off Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve

Sabatia stellaris

Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park, Haines City, Florida

Chapter 31

Loganaceae

I spent four years at the University of Mississippi studying botany, specifically, taxonomy of vascular plants.  I ended up teaching at Broward College and the most advanced course in botany I taught was as an adjunct for Florida Atlantic University (two courses: plant morphology and field botany) and that was only for one time each.  

As a consequence, my botany got very rusty.  I tried keeping up with my area but finally the grind of teaching five to seven preparations a semester took a toll on me and I let my botany lapse into occasional reading of papers.  Then, of course, DNA analysis became the rage and plant taxonomy underwent a major revolution when gene comparisons began among species.  

Perhaps no major change has been so great to me as what has occurred with this family.  I collected four genera at Tishomingo: Spigelia, Gelsemium, Polypremum, and Cynoctonum.³²  All were then placed in the family Loganaceae.  Today, Gelsemium is in its own family: Gelsemiaceae.  Polypremum has been moved to the family Tetrachondraceae,  and Cynoctonum has been renamed Mitreola. 

Science marches onward.

Spigelia loganoides (Torr. & A.Gray) A. DC.

Florida Pinkroot (Spigelia loganoides (Torr. & A.Gray) A. DC.)

NAPA lists severn species in North America.  This particular species is found only in Florida.  My experience in the past has been with S. marilandica a more widespread species throughout the southeastern U.S. so finding this was a treat.  

Florida Pinkroot (Spigelia loganoides (Torr. & A.Gray) A. DC.)

I had decided to bike the River Trail at Silver Springs State Park and as I was trying to not fall off the bike over the bumpy trail, I kept noticing these little spots of white appear.  Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I pulled over and found these growing all in the bike trail.  

Florida Pinkroot (Spigelia loganoides (Torr. & A.Gray) A. DC.)

  If you look carefully at these flowers and then compare them to some of the flowers in the Gentianaceae, you’ll see why the two families are closely related.  The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services does not list this as federally endangered but does the very similar species S. gentianoides.

Your guess is as good as mine if it really does have a pink root.  It was in a state park and it is illegal to pick plants in Florida parks.

Species/Location

Spigelia loganoides

River Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Florida

Chapter 32

Solanaceae

This is the deadly nightshade family.  It’s also the family of tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, tobacco, and egg plants.  And yes, all have a toxin in them.  

The toxins found include solanine, tropanes, and nicotine.  There is also another alkaloid in chilis called capsaicin but it is not technically toxic in the doses ingested.  Nicotine you probably know about.  It can be deadly (and not just through smoking).  

All leafy parts of these plants are poisonous.  I was always fond of pointing out to my students that until the early 1900’s, tomato fruits were considered poisonous.  It is also of South and Central American origin, so these great, great grandmother recipes for tomato sauce in Italy are a fallacy.  

By the way, tomatoes have officially been declared as a vegetable by the U.S. Supreme Court - even though it is a fruit.  Remember the leaves are poisonous.  

NAPA lists 38 genera of Solonaceae.  The Plant List has 113 genera world wide. I’ve photographed two genera and five species.

Chamaesaracha pallida Averett

Five Eyes (Chamaesaracha pallida Averett)

According to NAPA, this is a plant of southeastern New Mexico and southwestern Texas.  It took me a minute to realize it was a member of the nightshade family but when you take a close look at a flower, it’s pretty obvious.

Five Eyes (Chamaesaracha pallida Averett)

It has that nightshade look to the flower.  What is unusual to me are the linear-like leaves.  This was found along The Windows Trail of Big Bend National Park.

Physalis longifolia Nutt.

Groundcherry (Physalis longifolia Nutt.)

If you ever grew pepper or tomatoes or potatoes, you’ll immediately recognize the flowers.  NAPA shows this as the most widely distributed of 25 species of Physalis.  Wikipedia says the ripened yellow fruit is edible with a taste between a raisin and a cranberry.  Stay away from the unripened fruit, leaves and roots.

Solanum bahamense L.

Bahama Nightshade (Solanum bahamense L.)

What stands out to me in the plant is not the flowers - they are very typical of the genus - but the leaves.  I’ve never seen this leaf type before in the genus.  They are overly large for the genus and are more lance-like than I am used to.  In North America, it’s restricted to Florida and NAPA considers it rare for the state.

I photographed it at Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key, Florida.

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.

Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)

This is what an eggplant flower looks like.  The common name comes from the hairy leaves which give it a silver-like appearance.  This was along The Windows Trail in Big Bend National park.

Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)

As you can see, the flower color varies from light to deep purple.  I also found it interesting the petals were reflexed so strongly.  The stamens are typical of the genus - very large and very yellow.

There was a lot of this plant along the trail - more than I anticipated.  I’m used to finding one or two plants of this family in an area - not large swaths.

Solanum rostratum Dunal

Buffalo Bur (Solanum rostratum Dunal)

I did a poor job on this photograph.  I should have been more careful and gotten the fruit along with the flower.  If you look behind the yellow flower at top, you’ll see behind it an out of focus fruit.  Now look down and left and you’ll see one in focus but cropped.  I think you can see where it gets its common name.  Those spines look deadly.

The plant looks eerie enough but its location could be down right spooky - Devil’s Tower National Monument.

Solanum umbelliferum Eschsch.

Blue Witch (Solanum umbelliferum Eschsch.)

This grew in very large clumps along the Balcones Trail at Pinnacles National Park.  I tend to think of members of this genus as being rather robust but this particular one looked delicate.

Blue Witch (Solanum umbelliferum Eschsch.)

NAPA restricts this to Arizona, California and Oregon.

Species/Location

Chamaesaracha pallida
The Windows, Big Bend National Park

Physalis longifolia
Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Solanum bahamense
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Solanum elaeagnifolium
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Solanum rostratum
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Solanum umbelliferum
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Chapter 33

Boraginaceae

This is commonly known as the borage family, a plant (Borago) I’ve heard of all my life but never seen.  It’s native to the Mediterranean (Wikipedia) but is planted in the U.S. and Canada (NAPA). NAPA lists 42 genera in North America. 

During my Tishomingo days, I found three genera and four species³³ and I later photographed eight genera and 15 species.  

Some of the species have an unusual characteristic of producing a spike of flowers coiled like a lizard’s tail.  Others produce a cyme of flowers where the oldest flower is the flower at the tip of the inflorescence.  In some cases, the cyme’s flowers are only along one side of the inflorescence and that is termed a helicoid cyme.

One genus of these plants is predominately western (Cryptantha) and it was on my first trips out there I became exposed to them.  

Flower color varies from white, to yellow, to blue , to red.

Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Ganders

Devil’s Lettuce (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Ganders)

It certainly looks as though it would be the devil to eat.  It has long trichomes (hairs) all along the stem, the leaves, and the flowers and fruit.  NAPA maps 11 species in North America with A. menziesii predominately western.

Devil’s Lettuce (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Ganders

This particular species has a little red in the throat of the corolla.  It at least makes the flower attractive if you can get by the very long hairs on the plant.  

Devil’s Lettuce (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Ganders

This is a good photo to perhaps explain why it is called Devil’s Lettuce.  I found it at Catalina State Park near Tucson and at Pinnacles National Park.

Cryptantha angustifolia (Torr.) Greene

Narrow-leaved Popcorn Flower (Cryptantha angustifolia (Torr.) Greene)

Actually, it’s hard to even see the leaves among all the blooms.  The blooms are arranged like a scorpion’s tail.  The flowers are white.  The hairs serve a purpose - to trap dew and hold it.  Most Crytantha are in a dry, arid environment in the western U.S. and there is a definite need for water retention in any way possible.

Narrow-leaved Popcorn Flower (Cryptantha angustifolia (Torr.) Greene)

The narrow leaves are also a way to present less surface area for evaporation.  This plant has survival down to a fine art.  It has to.  It’s found in Death Valley National Park.

Cryptantha flava (A. Nelson) Payson

Yellow Cryptantha (Cryptantha flava (A. Nelson) Payson)

The leaves are a little larger and thus more surface area and the hairiness of the stem and leaves and flowers is much less pronounced.  The environment where this grows is a little less harsh (but only a little).  

Yellow Cryptantha (Cryptantha flava (A. Nelson) Payson)

I photographed these in three different locations: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park (all in Utah).  The areas are very arid but not to the extreme of Death Valley

Cryptantha flavoculata (A.Nelson) Payson

Yellow-eye Cryptanth (Cryptantha flavoculata (A. Nelson) Payson)

This isn’t a very good photo but if you look carefully at the flowers which are out of focus on the right, you can see the yellow center to the white flower which gives the common name.  This was photographed at Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon National Park.  

Hoodoos at Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

Cryptantha pterocarpa (Torr.) Greene

Cryptantha (Cryptantha pterocarpa (Torr.) Greene)

Another get-around-the-desert environment.  This was photographed at Catalina State Park outside of Tuscon, Arizona when I was touring Saguaro National Park.  Saguaro is part of the Sonoran Desert.  

Cryptantha (Cryptantha pterocarpa (Torr.) Greene)

The flowers are as tiny as they seem to be in the photo.  I almost walked past this plant.  To me, it has as many hairs as Devil’s Lettuce but the leaves are not as linear.

This has to be the smallest flowered plant in this genus.

Cryptantha simulans Greene

Pine Cryptanth (Cryptantha simulans Greene)

By far, this is the largest stand of Cryptanth  I’ve found.  Normally, you find one or two scattered over a wide area.  Here, they were en masse.  Here was North Cascades National Park (at least near there) at Stehekin, Washington.

Pine Cryptanth (Cryptantha simulans Greene)

True to its common name, it was growing in a pine forest along the Lakeshore Trail amid scenery that is hard to describe.

Cynoglossum officinale L.

Common Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.)

This was a startling plant for me.  I was in Shenandoah National Park starting out on a morning hike.  The previous day saw me arrive at the park in the most dense fog I have experienced - even more dense than the ones in London.

Park Lodge Upon My Arrival at Shenandoah National Park

The next morning was bright and clear but you could see the fog still down in the valley.  I started out on the Lewis Springs Falls Trail and this was the first plant I cam across.  I didn’t recognize the genus or species but knew it was in the borage family. 

Common Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.)

I think what through me was the red flowers on the plant.  I was used to white, yellow and blue.  In any case, I later tracked it down in a guide and was pleased to add it to my inventory.

Cynoglossum virginianum L.

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum L.)

This is an old friend of my Tishomingo days.³³  

 

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum L.)

I really enjoy seeing the pale blue flowers with the white center.  

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum L.)

Once it goes to fruit, the fruit hangs down.  You can also see the fruit is “armed” with short spines.  These catch in the fur of animals to be carried away as a form of seed dispersal.

Echium pininana Webb & Berthel.

Giant Viper’s Bugloss (Echium pininana Webb & Berthel.)

This is another one of those extraterrestrial plants - perhaps Mars.  Wikipedia says it is endemic to the Canary Islands but has been cultivated in England and Ireland and has become naturalized along the California coast.  

Giant Viper’s Bugloss (Echium pininana Webb & Berthel.)

You can imagine the double take I did when I saw this growing at the edge of the ocean on Klamath Beach Road at Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park near Crescent City, California.

Giant Viper’s Bugloss (Echium pininana Webb & Berthel.)

Even today, I have yet to find anything that makes me think of a member of the borage family in this plant.  Yet, it has some je ne sais quoi about it.

Hackelia micrantha (Eastw.) J.L. Gentry

Blue Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha (Eastw.) J.L. Gentry)

This plant likes a little western state elevation (3,900-11,500 feet) (Wikipedia).  I found it growing along the Castle Crest Wildflower Trail at Crater Lake. The leaves in the foreground do not belong to the plant.  They are the leaves of a member of the aster family, Senecio.

Blue Stickseed (Hackelia micrantha (Eastw.) J.L. Gentry)

The flowers are a very delicate blue with a white center to the floral tube.  The common name comes from the fruit which is armed with prickles.  The often attach to animal fur or hikers socks.

Lappula marginata (M. Bieb.) Gürke

Cupseed Stickseed (Lappula marginata (M. Bieb.) Gürke)

The differences between some of the genera in the family is seemingly minor if you look only at the gross structures.  Sometimes it is small as the number of lobes in the ovary that differentiates one genus from another.  Sometimes it is something as trivial as the shape of the spines on the fruits.  To me, this looks almost identical to Cryptantha ptericarpa  but location was significantly different and a checklist of plants for the area confirmed for me the genus and species.  

Cupseed Stickseed (Lappula marginata (M. Bieb.) Gürke)

Unfortunately, the plant had no fruit on it so I can’t show you why the common name stickseed.  The fruits have spines with curves on them.  In essence, plants were the original form of velcro.  

Lithospermum incisum Lehm.

Fringed Gromwell, Narrow-leaf Puccoon (Lithospermum incisum Lehm.)

Lithospermum is a fairly common genus in Mississippi and Florida, so I was familiar with it but not this species.  I only found this species out west.  If you know a little Latin, you know the genus translates to stone seed.  I assume the seeds are very tough.

I think this is one of the more attractive Lithospermum with the “fringed” petals.

Mertensia brevistyla S. Watson

Short-styled Bluebell (Mertensia brevistyla S. Watson)

My understanding of bluebells was from the genus Hyacinthoides - a more eastern species.  When I went out west for the first time, I was surprised at the number of species of plants commonly referred to as bluebells but of the genus Mertensia.  

Short-styled Bluebell (Mertensia brevistyla S. Watson)

NAPA maps 21 species, all western except M. virginica and three species predominately Canadian and western.  The more I traveled out west, the more species I came across.  

I suspect these are in need of study and clarification.  The taxonomic differences seem slight.  The thing that struck me most about this species what the shape of the plant and the shape of the leaves on the plant.  

Mertensia ciliata (James ex Torr.) G.Don

Mountain Bluebell (Mertensia ciliata (James ex Torr.) G.Don)

The specific epithet escapes me.  I don’t see any cilia (hairs) on this.  Compare this with the one previous and this looks clean shaven.  

I photographed this near Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone National Park.  Our tour group had taken a short rest break on our way back from Grand Teton National Park.

Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. ex A. DC.

Lanceleaf Bluebell (Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. ex A. DC.)

Again, I’m not too sure I would describe the leaves and lance-shaped.  However, a checklist confirmed my hypothesis on this one.  

Lanceleaf Bluebell (Mertensia lanceolata (Pursh) DC. ex A. DC.)

At least in this photo, some of the leaves look a little more lance-shaped.  This was growing at the Old East Entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit.  It was a pretty harsh environment.

Mertensia longifolia Greene

Small Bluebells (Mertensia longifolia Greene)

Will someone get these names sorted out?  These bluebells are some of the largest I’ve seen, not the smallest.  Secondly, the specific name is more appropriate.  Look at the length of the flower on these.  

Small Bluebells (Mertensia longifolia Greene)

I think these are by far and away the most attractive of the four species I’ve photographed and they look the most delicate.

Myosotis latifolia Poir.

Broadleaf Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis latifolia Poir.)

These grew in great masses along the Klamath Beach Road in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park.  On an early western tour, I found them also at Point Reyes National Seashore along the Glen Camp Trail.

Broadleaf Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis latifolia Poir.)

The flowers remind me of wild comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum).  

Plagiobothrys nothofulvus (A. Gray) A. Gray

Rusty Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus (A. Gray) A. Gray)

According to Wikipedia, this plant has purple sap.  It also has some extremely long hairs that look lethal. Whether they are or not, I didn’t chance it.  Too many run-ins with stinging nettle for me.  This is a west coast species.  

Rusty Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus (A. Gray) A. Gray)

This was growing trailside of the Balcones Trail at Pinnacles National Park.

Species/Location

Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Cryptantha angustifolia
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Cryptantha flava
The Windows, Arches National Park
Grand View Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Chimney Rock Trail, Capitol Reef National Park

Cryptantha flavoculata
Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

Cryptantha pterocarpa
Catalina State Park, Tuscon, Arizona

Cryptantha simulans
Lakeshore Trail, North Cascades National Park, Stehekin, Washington

Cynoglossum officinale
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Cynoglossum virginianum
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hidden Cove Trail, South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs, North Carolina

Echium pininana
Klamath Beach Road, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California

Hackelia micrantha
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Lappula marginata
Devil’s Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Lithospermum incisum
Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park
Wellington Ditch Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Visitor Center Nature Trail, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Skyline Vista, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
Caprock Coulee Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Mertensia brevistyla
Cross Fissures, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Oak Flat Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Mertensia ciliata
Near Dunraven Pass, Yellowstone National Park

Mertensia lanceolata
Old East Entrance, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit

Mertensia longifolia
Road to Rainbow Falls, Stehekin, Washington

Myosotis latifolia
Glen Camp Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore
Klamath Beach Road Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California

Plagiobothrys nothofulvus
Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Chapter 34

Fouquieriaceae

This family of plants is known only to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of the southwestern U.S. and has only two genera: Fouquieria and Idria.³⁴ The Plant List lists 12 species of Fouquieria  and one of Idria.  Hortus Third states Fouquieria has nine species³⁵ and Idria one.³⁶ 

My experience is with Fouquieria.  I first found it in Big Bend National Park and later in Saguaro National Park.  It’s pretty much scattered throughout the southwest and you can see it from almost any road through that region of desert.

Fouquieria splendens Engelm.

Ocotillo, Coachwhip (Fouquieria splendens Engelm.)

When I first saw ocotillo growing, it was on my in to Chisos Mountain Lodge at Big Bend National Park in 2016.  I noticed the plant as I drove along the entrance road (which goes forever) and later I noticed it growing outside the lodge.  Of course, the only plants in bloom were out in the desert too far away to get a close up.  The road to the first visitor center is 20 miles from the entrance (at 45 mph) and then it’s another nine miles to the lodge (at less than 45 mph).  It took forever!

Anyway, I have this thing about sticking to accepted trails and tracks.  I try not to ever leave a trail to get a photograph.  I bided my time.

Casa Grande Outside Chisos Mountain Lodge - Elevation 7,325 Feet

The Chisos Mountain Range is interesting in that it is the only mountain range entirely within the confines of a national park.  

It was on my next cross country trip in 2018 that I was able to get close enough to get decent photos of ocotillo.  

Ocotillo, Coachwhip (Fouquieria splendens Engelm.)

Many people think this is a cactus.  It is not closely related to cacti at all.  The brilliant red flowers stand out against the stark background of the desert.  This was photographed in March of 2018 so it was a spring bloom.

Ocotillo, Coachwhip (Fouquieria splendens Engelm.)

In dry conditions, the leaves lose their blades and the petioles become spines.  What you see here are secondary leaves that arise in fascicles or clumps when there is sufficient water.  These will dry up and fall off when dry conditions arise.

Species/Location

Fouquieria splendens

Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mountain District

Chisos Mountain Lodge, Big Bend National Park

Chapter 35

Heliotropiaceae

Although not published yet, volume 15’s outline of Flora of North America splits out four genera previously placed in the family Boraginaceae into a new family, the Heliotropiaceae so I will follow that convention.  

Since the volume is unpublished, I have no idea as to what distinguishes this family from the Boraginaceae and I’ll have to await publication.  In any case, I have photographed two of the four genera: Heliotropium, for which the family is named, and Tournefortia.  Volume 15 intends to place Tournefortia in the genus Heliotropium but since The Plant List currently has Tournefortia as the approved name. I’ll leave it separate for now.  I know that sounds strange to accept a new classification in one prepublication and stick with the old in another.  The reason is I’m not privy to the new authority listing after the genus and species and have to stick with the older classification of Tournefortia.  Such is the life of a taxonomist.  

Heliotropium angiospermum Murray

Scorpiontail (Heliotropium angiospermum Murray)

This comes by it common name honestly.  The helicoid cyme starts out large like a tail and tapers to a small point.  The white flowers really stand out against a lush green background.  NAPA reports this as native to Florida and Texas.  

Scorpiontail (Heliotropium angiospermum Murray)

I found this growing at Secret Woods Nature Center along the nature trail.

Tournefortia gnaphalodes (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Sea Lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.)

This is a pretty large plant - growing head high along the beach of the Atlantic Ocean at Bahia Honda State Park in Florida.  

Sea Lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.)

This was just about to bloom.  You can see there are two rows of flowers developing in a helicoid cyme arrangement.  Some web sites report it as not salt tolerate for prolonged periods and others reports it as salt tolerant.  

I didn’t pick any of the leaves to see if it had a lavender scent.

Species/Location

Heliotropium angiospermum

Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Tournefortia gnaphalodes

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Chapter 36

Hydrophyllaceae

This is commonly referred to as the waterleaf family from the genus Hydrophyllum (waterleaf).  Why Hydrophyllum is called waterleaf, I do not know.  I never found it in water and at best, only in proximity.  Many times, it was high and dry.

NAPA lists 15 genera in the family while the preliminary listing in Flora of North America is 12 genera. I’ve photographed four genera and 10 species.

The family is under revision and it may not even survive as a family.  Wikipedia places members of this in the Boraginaceae and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether the new volume of Flora will keep the family.

Hydrophyllum capitatum Douglas ex Benth.

Ballhead Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum Douglas ex Benth.)

I think the reason this is called ballhead is the cluster of flowers is almost spherical.  Notice the leaves all arise from the base of the plant and they are pinnately divided (not pinnately compound).  

Ballhead Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum Douglas ex Benth.)

The stem and leaves are covered in hairs as well the sepals of the flowers. I ran into this plant in two widely separated locations: Colorado and Washingon state.

Hydrophyllum virginianum L.

Eastern Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virgininaum L.)

What stands out to me in this species is the rapier-like sepals of the flowers with the very large trichomes (hairs) on the sepals.  The rest of the plant is hairy also but not with such large trichomes.

I photographed this in two locations: Ohio and Virginia, both in deep woodlands.

In every member of this genus I have seen has stamens and pistil exceeding the petals to the point they are almost twice as long as the petals.

Nemophilia menziesii subsp. atomaria (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Brand

White Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophilia menziesii subsp. atomaria (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Brand)

I hunted and hunted and hunted for this identification and could not find it in any source I had.  I finally turned to Calflora (I found it in California) and someone kindly sent me the identification of the plant.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why some of the state guides never put this plant in one of their guides.  It’s quite beautiful and remarkably distinct.  

White Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophilia menziesii subsp. atomaria (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Brand)

I also would never has associated it with this family of plants.  I get the white part of the common name but not the blue part.  The spots are more purple than anything but I guess that didn’t sound correct “baby purple eyes”.  

This was covering a hillside at Point St. George near Crescent City, California.

Mixed Wildflowers at Point St. George Near Crescent City, California

Just the Other Side of the Hillside at Point St. George Near Crescent City, California

Phacelia campanularia A. Gray

Desert Canterbury Bell (Phacelia campanularia A. Gray)

NAPA maps 174 species of this genus and all but two, P. bipinnatifida and P. fimbriata are western in distribution.  No wonder I never saw the species until my cross country trips.  This particular beauty was growing along the roadside of Death Valley national Park.  That explains the hairiness of the plant - to retard water loss. It seems that some of the hairs are glandular in nature.  You can see the tiny gland at the tip of the trichome.

You have to admit, that’s a very deep purple.  The relationship to Boragninaceae, Heliotropiaceae and Hydrophyllaceae is the flowers arranged on one side of the stem, much as a helicoid cyme.

Phacelia crenulata Torr. ex S. Watson

Notched-leaved Phacelia (Phacelia crenulata Torr. ex S. Watson)

The leaves are definitely crenulated or crinkled.  They are also notched.  I thought C. campanularia was pretty but this one was jaw dropping.  I love the way the stamens projects so far out from the petals - a characteristic of the family.  The white center also sets off the stamens since the stamens are as purple as the petals.

You can also see the glandular hairs on this species as well.

Phacelia distans Benth.

Wild Heliotrope (Phacelia distans Benth.)

I recognized the genus when I saw it and also realized it was one I had not seen before.  This was taken at Catalina State Park outside of Tucson, Arizona. The leaf is so deeply lobed it looks pinnately compound.   

Wild Heliotrope (Phacelia distans Benth.)

Again, notice the exerted stamens and the numerous hairs all over the leaves, stems, and sepals.

Phacelia fimbriata Michx.

Fringed Phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata Michx.)

It was a glorious spring in the Smokies in April 2019 and I kept seeing these masses of flowers along side the road.  Finally, I got to a place where I could pull over and I walked back to this particular patch and discovered a new sighting for me.

Fringed Phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata Michx.)

They have the typical deeply lobed leaf as the rest of Phacelia but the flowers are fringed.  Fringed Phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata Michx.)

Usually, when I see the name fimbriata something else besides the petals is fringed but these petals definitely are.  Look how the anthers of the stamens accent the flower’s white background.

Phacelia hastata Douglas ex Lehm.

Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata Douglas ex Lehm.)

Hastate means spear-like.  These certainly are.  It is a very tiny plant - this was taken with the macro feature of my camera.  I photographed it near Cleetwood Trail on the Rim Drive of Crater Lake in June 2015 but in sorting my photos, I also found another shot of one in July 2013 overlooking Yellowstone Lake.  

The silverleaf name comes from the numerous hairs on the leaves.  The rim of Crater Lake and the edge of Yellowstone Lake are pretty harsh environments.  

Phacelia popei Torr. & A.Gray

Arizona Phacelia (Phacelia popei Torr. & A.Gray)

This was my second find at Catalina State Park.  I really like the look of the leaves.  They were rather thick but velvety in texture.  In the upper part of the photo you can see the helicoid cyme nature of the flowers.

Pholistoma auritum (Lind.) Lilja ex Lindlbl.

Blue Fiesta Flower (Pholistoma auritum (Lind.) Lilja ex Lindlbl.)

I had never even heard of the genus of this plant.  NAPA maps three genera (all western) and the number of species is confirmed by The Plant List. I found this in Pinnacles National Park.

Blue Fiesta Flower (Pholistoma auritum (Lind.) Lilja ex Lindlbl.)

I like how the anthers are white striped and are set off against the blue background of the petals.  

Species/Location

Hydrophyllum capitatum
Agnes Gorge Trail, North Cascades National Park near Stehekin, Washington
Lakeshore Trail, North Cascades National Park near Stehekin, Washington
Cross Fissures Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Hydrophyllum virginianum
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Nemophilia menziesii subsp. atomaria
Point St. George near Crescent City, California

Phacelia campanularia
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Phacelia crenulata
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Phacelia distans
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Phacelia fimbriata
Roadside, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Phacelia hastata
Overlooking Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Cleetwood Trail on Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park

Phacelia popei
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Pholistoma aurtium
The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Chapter 37

Namaceae

This was at one time included in the Hydrophyllaceae which was one time included in the Boraginaceae which was at one time....  The proposed volume 15 of Flora of North America split it from Hydrophyllace and dropped four genera into the family: Eriodictyon, Nama, Turricula and Wigandia.  I’ve photographed two species of Nama.

Nama demissa A. Gray

Purple Mat (Nama demissa A.Gray)

NAPA shows 21 species of the genus with all but N. jamaicense as western species.  This species was photographed along the roadside of Death Valley National Park.  

Purple Mat (Nama demissa A.Gray)

The common name is appropriate because it grows tightly close to the ground.  You can see the numerous hairs on the stems and leaves.

Nama hispida A. Gray

Purple Mat (Nana hispida A. Gray)

This was a little more robust than N. demissa.  I photographed this at Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona.  

Purple Mat (Nana hispida A. Gray)

The flowers even seem a little more robust but then I might be a little less robust in the heat of Death Valley.  If you compare the two, the leaves and stems of N. demissa are lighter in color even though the trichomes are about the same size.  The lighter color may be a feature to reflect more of the sun’s rays off the plant.

Species/Location

Nama demissa
Roadside, Death Valley National Park

Nama hispida
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Chapter 38

Polemoniaceae

Although the family name may not be familiar, it does include some plants with which you are probably familiar: Jacob’s ladder and phlox.  NAPA lists 20 genera in the family and admittedly, most are obscure.  There are 25 species of Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder genus) and 66 of the genus Phlox. 

Over the past few years of my travels, I added four other genera to my “collection”: Collomia, Eviastrum, Gilia, and Ipomopsis.  

Collomia grandiflora Douglas ex Lindl.

Large-flowered Collomia (Collomia grandiflora Douglas ex Lindl.)

Well, maybe not so large of flowers....  However, I think the coloration on the floral tube is really interesting. It reminds me of the color of dreamsicles, an old ice cream bar of my childhood.   At first, I thought I had found a really unusual Phlox species when I first saw this.  This was along the roadside of Zion National Park.  

NAPA shows this to be a western species for the most part. Notice the lance shaped leaves and the cluster of flowers at the top of the stem - very similar to some species of Phlox. 

Eriastrum diffusum (A. Gray) H.Mason

Miniature Wool Star (Eriastrum diffusum (A.Gray) H.Mason)

Again, a western species and therefore one I was unfamiliar with until I traveled west.  NAPA shows this to be southwestern in distribution.  As you can see, it is certainly wooly with long trichomes.

Miniature Wool Star (Eriastrum diffusum (A.Gray) H.Mason)

I struggled to find one of these in bloom and finally found one with a few petals open.  They typically have five and it looks as though either two were blown away on this plant or either two failed to unfurl.  

Gilia tricolor Benth.

Bird’s Eye (Gilia tricolor Benth.)

You certainly needed a sharp eye to see this.  I was driving to the western entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park when I saw something blooming along the highway.  I stopped, took the photos I wanted and was headed back to the jeep when I came across this.  Often one find leads to another.  That’s the neat thing about plants.  Interest in them really increases your powers of observation.  I’ve learned, when I photograph a plant, not to be too quick to get up and resume my hike or trip.  A glance around the area often produces another find.

Bird’s Eye (Gilia tricolor Benth.)

The leaves are finely dissected to the point they almost look pinnately compound.

Bird’s Eye (Gilia tricolor Benth.)

I can’t see three colors in this but the flower is a beautiful bloom, once you see it.

Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) V.E.Grant

Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) V.E.Grant)

When I first encountered this on Signal Mountain near Grand Teton National Park, I knew I knew the genus but could not for the life of me call it to mind.  As I get older, this becomes more and more frequent.  I suspect it is due to three things: not using my botanical training for so many years, information overload, and getting older.  

Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) V.E.Grant)

I like how the floral tube is deeply red and the petals which open outward are almost pink.  The leaves, like Erastrum are highly dissected. 

Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) V.E.Grant)

Notice the difference in the colors of the floral tubes between the one from Signal Mountain and this one from Crater Lake.

Ipomopsis rubra L.

  Standing-cypress (Ipomosis rubra L.)

I had been staying in a cabin at Silver Springs State Park in June of 2017.  It was the end of a trip that had taken me up into the Smokies, to Greensboro, NC to visit my cousin, and then back down.  All along the way, up and back, I spent three nights at every stop.  Somehow, when I registered online for the cabin at Silver Springs, I either forgot I booked two nights or I mistyped the number of nights.  

I had been doing the glass bottom boat at the old Silver Springs tourist trap when I get a call from the park.  They wanted to know when I would be out of the cabin.  I quickly returned, packed, and got out and profusely apologized to the park personnel and made a $20 donation to the park for my tardiness.  

As I drove out of the park, I saw for the first time, even though I had been in and out of the park several times, this plant growing at the entrance.  At first, I thought I wasn’t seeing what I thought but it was interesting enough for me to stop, get out and take some photos with my phone.Standing-cypress (Ipomosis rubra L.)

The common name comes from the resemblance to the needles of a cypress tree.  In reality, they are nothing like cypress needles but are instead highly dissected filiform leaves.

           Standing-cypress (Ipomosis rubra L.)

The flowers are very scarlet and are wonderfully set off against the green leaves.

                      Standing-cypress (Ipomosis rubra L.)

I was so stunned at the plant (at least seven feet tall) that I kept walking around it and looking closely at it.  I’m sure the park personnel in the office were wondering what in the world I was doing.  You do get a lot of strange stares if you are into plants.

Leptodactylon watsonii (A. Gray) Rydberg

Watson’s Slenderlobe (Leptodactylon watsonii (A. Gray) Rydberg)

This was growing along the Bright Angel Point Trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  It was May in 2011 and it was still a little early for a member of the phlox family to be in bloom but this had a sunny exposure.

Note the very small leaves which are terete.  This reduces the surface area for evaporation of all-important water.

Phlox austromantana Coville

Desert Phlox (Phlox austromontana Coville)

I didn’t know what this was for a minute until I saw the unopened blooms.  The leaves confused me.  The twisted blooms reminded me of Phlox and that turned out to be the case.  This was photographed in Zion National Park in 2011 and I almost gave up hope of finding one in bloom.  Later in the day, I did.

 

Desert Phlox (Phlox austromontana Coville)

This photograph is a little misleading.  You are led to believe the leaves of the plant are directly beneath the bloom.  The plant beneath the bloom is a bedstraw growing next to the flower.  The real leaves are at the top of the flower.

Phlox diffusa Benth.

Spreading Phlox (Phlox diffusa Benth.)

The common name gives you a good indication as to what this does.  Most Phlox are upright but this one grows low across the ground, almost like a ground cover.  If I remember correctly, this was next to the lodge at Crater Lake.

Crater Lake Lodge 

The lodge sits atop the rim of the lake.  This is the entrance to the lodge facing away from the lake. Crater Lake Lodge - Interior

The lodge, at one time, had fallen into such disrepair the park service intended to pull it down and build a new one.  However, some concerned citizens led the way to get funding to renovate the lodge to its former glory.  They did an outstanding job.  They even kept the bark on the lodgepole pines as in the original building.

Crater Lake Lodge Patio

The side of the lodge facing Crater Lake opened onto a multi-terraced patio with rocking chairs.  If you ordered food and drink at the restaurant’s host station, a waiter would bring it to you on the patio so you could have lunch with a view of the lake.  

Unfortunately, the patio echos everything.  Three young workers at the park made a point of observing sunrise on the patio one morning and their champagne toasts got a little out of hand. I had to be grateful they waked me to see the sun rise even though I preferred to sleep in that morning.

 

The lodge had several fireplaces and during my stay there I got to back up and warm up to them.  I needed it.  There was snow on the ground in June.

Phlox divaricata L.

Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata L.)

This is an old friend from Tishomingo.  I can’t tell you how many times I encountered this while collecting, every time thinking I had found a different species.  I finally learned to recognize it was the same species, over and over.  

Blue Phox (Phlox divaricata L.)

This is an upright plant and fairly tall - about two feet in height.  It likes deep woods and well as along the edges of woodlands.  This particular one was photographed at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  I was happy to see it.

Phlox drummondii Hook.

Garden Phlox (Phlox drummondii Hook.)

This was a stunner as I biked my way to Trenton, Florida along the Nature Coast Trail between Fanning Springs and Trenton.  It grew all along the bike trail and I finally got my fill of photographing them.

As you can tell by the common name, this is a domesticated version that has escaped into the wild.

Garden Phlox (Phlox drummondii Hook.)

There’s not much to Fanning Springs but Trenton is a neat little town that has gone out of its way to preserve old buildings.  It’s also the start of the Nature Coast Trail.  You begin the trail at the old depot.  The day I got there, there was a tai chi class in session.

Old Depot at Trenton, Florida with Tai Chi class 

Nature Coastal Trail Approaching Trenton

Trenton is know for its quilt festival.  The town has taken an art form and turned it into a draw from all over the United States.

Quilt Museum of Trenton

Suwannee Rose Cafe and Quilt Shop

Suwannee Rose Cafe and Quilt Shop

I stopped for lunch at the Suwannee Rose Cafe and Quilt Shop.  I was the only male in the place but the lunch was delicious and the quilt business was booming.

Third Place Quilt at Suwannee Rose Cafe and Quilt Shop

In the hallway of the cafe, they had on display quilts from around the country.  This one stood out to me.  

Phlox hoodii Richardson

Hood’s Phlox (Phlox hoodii Richardson)

This phlox had two very different growth forms.  The previous photo was taken at Coal Vein Nature Trail at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit.  

Hood’s Phlox (Phlox hoodii Richardson)

This photo was taken at Oxbow Overlook at the North Unit.  The only real difference I can tell was the Oxbow Overlook was more exposed to the weather. 

This is a small phlox that clusters.  It couldn’t have been more than four inches in height at this location.

Phlox longifolia Nutt.

Longleaf Phlox (Phlox longifolia Nutt.)

Another misleading photo.  The leaves next to the bloom are not the phlox leaves.

Longleaf Phlox (Phlox longifolia Nutt.)

These are the leaves of the phlox. This was abundant in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Phlox multiflora A. Nelson

Multi-flowered Phlox (Phlox multiflora A. Nelson)

This particular species reminded me, at least the leaves, of Phlox austromontana.  The blooms are totally different, however.  This was taken at Bright Angel Point at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

Sunrise at Bright Angel Point

Phlox stolonifera Simms 

Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera Sims)

This doesn’t really creep in that it grows close to the ground.  The term stolonifera is the key.  This phlox puts out underground stems that grow away from the plant.  From these stems, phlox pops up some distance and thus it “creeps” by expanding its territory. 

These were in their glory along Smokemont Loop Trail in the Smokies in the spring of 2019.

Polemonium viscosum Nutt.

Sky Pilot (Polemonium viscosum Nutt.)

My first experience with the genus was at Tishomingo with P. reptans, commonly known as Jacob’s Ladder.  The dissected leaves were arranged like a ladder.  I still think it’s the more beautiful of the two species.  Unfortunately, I never took a photo of it in Tishomingo.

This was growing in front of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel at Yellowstone National Park.  

Perhaps you remember a song by The Animals titled “Sky Pilot.” It’s a song against the war in Viet Nam but I always think of it when I see the name of the plant.

Species/Location

Collomia grandiflora
Roadside, Zion National Park

Eriastrum diffusum
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Gilia tricolor
Lassen Peak Highway, Shingletown, California

Impomopsis aggregata
Signal Mountain near Grand Teton National Park
Oxbow Bend Turnout, Grand Teton National Park
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Ipomopsis rubra
Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Leptodactylon watsonii
Bright Angel Point Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

Phlox austromontana
Roadside, Zion National Park

Phlox diffusa
Crater Lake Lodge, Crater Lake National Park

Phlox divaricata
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Phlox drummondii
Nature Coast Trail, Trenton, Florida

Phlox hoodii
Coal Vein Nature Trail, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit
Oxbow Overlook, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit

Phlox longifolia
Pulpit Rock Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Cross Fissures, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Rock Point, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Phlox multiflora
Angel Point, Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

Phlox stolonifera
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Polemonium viscosum
Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Yellowstone National Park

Chapter 39

Lamiaceae

This group of plants is commonly referred to as the mint family and does include the mints with which you are familiar: mint, basil, sage, rosemary, savory, oregano, marjoram, thyme and others (Wikipedia). 

By the time I started my botany training, the old name of Labiatae had been discarded.  The name Labiatae came from the petals often are fused into an upper and lower lip (Wikipedia) like the lips of the vagina (labia minor and labia majora).  Again, subtle botanist humor from the past. 

My best identification characteristic of the family is a square stem.  Not all of the members of the family have that trait and other families may have the odd square stem, but if the plant you are viewing does, it is pretty diagnostic it’s a mint.  Attached to the stem are opposite leaves.  Sometimes you’ll find five petals but often there are four because two may be fused.  Stamens may be either two (unusual) or four (more common).  

Most mints have glands that produce an aromatic compound when released by touching or bruising. 

NAPA maps 72 genera.  I’ve been able to photograph ten genera and 18 species.  

Agastache urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze

Horse Mint (Agastache urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze)

I guess even horses need a breath freshener. 

I have to admit I’m not great at mint identification but some are so distinctive that even I can do it.  The family was easy to identify with the fused petals into and upper and lower lobes, 2-4 stamens and square stems, but after that it got tricky for me. 

Horse Mint (Agastache urticifolia (Benth.) Kuntze)

If you look carefully at the flowers, you’ll see something that sticks far out from the flora tube that looks as those it has split ends.  That’s the stigma and style of the ovary.  It’s a little more difficult to tell there are four stamens.  

This was found atop Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park in July 2013.

Ajuga reptans L.

Carpet Bugle (Ajuga reptans L.)

One of the reasons I have so much trouble with identification with this family is that to get to genus and species, you often had to dissect the flower and view under a dissection scope.  To compound the problem, you often had to deal with dried plant material (you collected in the field, pressed the flowers, and dried them for preservation).  

To rehydrate a flower, you put it in a petri dish with a little soapy water (soap makes water wetter by breaking the surface tension of the water molecules) and hoped for the best.  Mint flowers can be exceptionally small.  

One characteristic listed in Gleason’s flora is how deeply cleft the lobes of the ovary are.  For Ajuga, the ovary is “merely 4-lobed” versus “deeply lobed.”³⁷  As you might guess, that is very subjective and can vary from flower to flower. 

In this case, the top petal is not fused, simply lobed.  The bottom petals is fused from two and the lobe is similar to the top.³⁸

Carpet Bugle (Ajuga reptans L.)

It’s called “carpet” bugle because it produces stolons (above the ground stems that can root) and thus form a carpet of flowers.³⁹  There are four stamens visible just below the top petal.

Callicarpa americana L.

      American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.)

I first learned this plant as a member of the vervain family (Verbenaceae).  However, it has been shifted into the mint family.  The vervain family, like the mint family has square stems but there are significant differences.  I have no idea why it has been shifted but I defer to the experts.

I learned this plant in the Boy Scouts and it was quite abundant at our area Boy Scout camp at Camp Kickapoo near Clinton, Mississippi.  It grew as a shrub near the lake.  Most mints are herbs but this is one of several exceptions.

Most people know the berries produced but not many people recognize the flowers because they are not as showy and fairly small.  

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.)

In the fall of the year the berries turn red or pink.  I mostly have seen pink.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.)

For the first time in my life, I came across some that produced white berries.  I was pretty much stunned when I saw those.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana L.)

You’ll also notice the stem is not particularly square, a characteristic of both the vervain family and the mint family.

Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr.

Starburst Bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr.

I thank my former neighbors for this planting in my yard.  However, be careful.  It can get out of hand.  It spreads by underground stems and can take over a place pretty quickly.  The top of the leaves are green but the bottoms are a deep purple.  The leaves are opposite on the stem.

The common name comes from a head of flowers that does indeed look like exploding fireworks.

Starburst Bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr.

The corolla is a very long tube - the longest I’ve ever seen - and opens into white petals.  

Starburst Bush (Clerodendrum quadriloculare (Blanco) Merr.

There are four stamens.  Butterflies love this shrub/tree.  It’s more of a tree in my yard.  

Hyptis alata (Raf.) Shinners

Musky Mint (Hyptis alata (Raf.) Shinners)

The square stems are back in this species.  Notice the tight head of individual flowers arising from the axils of the opposite leaves.  I photographed these when my friend Pat and I did a loop on the Old Loop Road off the Old Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress Preserve.

Lamium album L.

White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album L.)

The family of plants, Lamiaceae, is name for this genus.  I found this in France and have since learned it has become naturalized in the U.S. although I have not found it here.  Wikipedia states the leaves are good to eat.

Lamium amplexicaule L.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.)

This is a fairly early spring wildflower I’ve been finding all my days, even as a Boy Scout.  The leaves are very distinctive and it has the typical mint square stem.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule L.)

There never are a lot of flowers at the top of the plant but what are there are quite beautiful.  Notice the “beard” on the top petals.  Those are exceptionally large trichomes.  It’s become naturalized in the U.S.

Marrubium vulgare Linnaeus

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare Linnaeus)

This is not a native plant but one I was pleased to find. I remember reading years ago about Romans burning horehound for respiratory problems.  I remember once trying horehound candy made from this plant.  

The leaves look crinkly and they are whitish because they are densely covered in hairs.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare Linnaeus)

The flowers are found in clusters in the axils of leaves.  I photographed this on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park.  The place was once a ranch and I wonder if it was brought onto the island as a medicinal and for candy making.

Monarda didyma Linnaeus

        Crimson Beebalm (Monarda didyma L.)

This was a surprise on the walk back down from Clingmans Dome.  That hike up to the observation tower is one of the tougher hikes simply because of the grade and lack of switchbacks.  Every time I climb it I forget that little fact.  The last time I did that walk, I had to walk backwards coming down because my knees hurt so badly.  Anyway, the day I saw this was in October 2017.

Crimson Beebalm (Monarda didyma L.)

I thought to myself it was built like a beebalm but the red flowers threw me.  I don’t think of most mints and the color red.  Indeed, it turned out to be Monarda but a species I had not seen before.  I love when that happens!

Monarda fistulosa L.

Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa L.)

I can remember where and when I first saw this and can almost take you to the exact spot.  This plant has a certain appeal to me and I was excited when I found it many years ago in Tishomingo.  Since then, I’ve seen it often in my travels.  It must be widely distributed since I found this at Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.

Piloblephis rigida (W. Bartram ex Benth.) Raf.

Pennyroyal (Piloblephis rigida (W. Bartram ex Benth.) Raf.)

I was walking the nature trail at Lake George State Forest, keeping one eye on the plants and another eye for black bears.  I found this growing along the trail and was immediately taken by how out-of-place it looked along the trail.

The photographs look a little strange and that is because of the humidity fogging my lens.

Pennyroyal (Piloblephis rigida (W. Bartram ex Benth.) Raf.)

The plant is “native to Florida, southern Georgia and the Bahamas” according to Wikipedia.

Prunella vulgaris L.

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris L.) 

To me there is nothing vulgar about this plant.  I assume vulgaris is meant to mean common since this is widely distributed across the U.S. and Canada, according to NAPA.  

There are days that it gets beaten down by the weather but it always seems to come back.  I find it growing along disturbed areas such as roadsides and at the edges of forests.  

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris L.)

It’s the most easily recognized plant in the woods to me.  Perhaps simply because it is so common.  It almost looks like a scepter to me in this photo - one any royal would be happy to wield.  

Wikipedia reports it as edible and the Chinese use it as a medicinal.

Salvia ballotiflora Benth.

Shrubby Blue Sage (Salvia ballotiflora Benth.)

I’ve collected and photographed the genus Salvia for many years but I never expected to see a shrub of the stuff.  This was a show stopper for me when I found it at Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, Texas.

Shrubby Blue Sage (Salvia ballotiflora Benth.)

Like many of the shrubby members of the family, the older stems tend to be round and the younger shoots are the ones which are squared. 

Shrubby Blue Sage (Salvia ballotiflora Benth.)

I like how the flowers are “bearded” with trichomes.  You can plainly see the lower lip has two lobes so that means the upper lip of the flower has three lobes.  You can also see the two stamens protruding from the center of the flower.

NAPA restricts this to the Lone Star state.  Here’s proof Texas is turning blue.

Salvia brandegeei Munza

Santa Rosa Island Sage (Salvia brandegeei Munz)

This has to be the strangest looking Salvia I’ve run across.  This photo was taken in the gardens of the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center in Ventura, California.  

I immediately recognized it was a Salvia and the marker confirmed my opinion, but I never expected to see a Salvia like this.  Calscape restricts it to the Channel Islands and Baja California.

Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl.

Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl.)

If you can’t see this in the woods, it’s because you are not looking.  This is like a red warning flag.  My first exposure to this was in Secret Woods Nature Center and since it is commonly referred to as tropical sage, I was surprised when I ran into it again at Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, Texas.  

Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl.)

I’ve heard that one of the hardest colors in nature to mimic is a true red.  I’ve also heard that the Venetians have come closest with their glass but to me, this denotes what the color red means.  

Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams

Desert Sage (Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams)

When I first saw this, I thought it was another species of beebalm.  Later, when I got a chance to look at a few field guides, I realized it was a sage.  This was growing along the Emerald Pools Trail in Zion National Park.

Desert Sage (Salvia dorrii (Kellogg) Abrams)

The Emerald Pools Trail is a short out and back hike across the Virgin River from the visitor center.  It’s a popular trail and it was crowded that day.  I probably held a few people up stopping and taking photographs.

Lower Emerald Pools, Zion National Park

What was nice was once you reached this point, water fell from above to cool you off.  What was not nice was the slipperiness of the trail.

Salvia farinacea Benth.

Mealy Sage (Salvia farinacea Benth.)

Of course, this sage is not the sagebrush of the west.  Sagebrush is in the Asteraceae family and the genus Artemesia.  However, I seemed to find a lot of sage in Texas.  This was again at the Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Mealy Sage (Salvia farinacea Benth.)

If you look closely at the flowers, they do indeed, look mealy.  Interesting term mealy.  I generally think of cornbread texture when I think of the term and lately I think of the bottom of a pizza crust where you apply meal to the pizza peel in order to get the pie off the peel and onto the pizza stone or steel. 

Salvia lyrata L.

Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata L.)

As a southern boy, when I think of Salvia, this is what I think of.  I’ve collected it and photographed it pretty much everywhere I’ve gone in the southeastern U.S. 

It’s a poor relative to most of the mints.  It’s not really showy and it’s often overlooked in the spring.  Yet, I’ve come to look forward to finding it on virtually every hike I take in the southeast.

Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata L.)

I always enjoy seeing the purple sepals set off by the pale blue of the petals.  Notice the square stem is edged in purple.  It’s not as hairy as some of its relatives in the family.

Scutellaria drummondii Benth.

Drummond’s Skullcap (Scutellaria drummondii Benth.)

During my Tishomingo days, I collected five different species of Scutellaria⁴⁰ and the two species I photographed does not include any of those five.  That’s not surprising since NAPA has 44 species for North America.  

S. drummondii is a particularly attractive one I photographed at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.  

Wikipedia gives the origin of skullcap from the Latin scutella which is little dish.  It refers to the shape of the sepals which are left intact on the plant after the petals fall away.

Scutellaria mexicana (Torr.) A.J.Paton

Paperbag Bush (Scutellaria mexicana (Torr.) A.J.Paton)

As I was walking the trail at Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park, as I looked in the distance, I thought someone had trashed the trail with paper.  As I got closer, I was amazed to see it was part of the plant.  

There was no way I had any way to relate this to Scutellaria.  There were no leaves, no flowers, only these “paper bags” attached to the plant.  They are the remnants of the seed pods of the plant after the petals are gone.  

Paperbag Bush (Scutellaria mexicana (Torr.) A.J.Paton)

It just goes to show you that you never know what you’ll see around the next bend in the trail.

Teucrium cubense Jacq.

Coastal Germander (Teucrium cubense Jacq.)

This is a lovely little mint was trailside of The Windows Trail at Big Bend National Park.  It was in a shady area but an inhospitable environment none-the-less.

Coastal Germander (Teucrium cubense Jacq.)

The flowers, although very small, are particularly attractive with both their shape and the markings on the petals.  

Species/Location

Agastache urticifolia
Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park

Ajuga reptans
Bridal Veil Falls, Cleveland Metro Parks, Cleveland, Ohio

Callicarpa americana
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Clerodendrum quadriloculare
Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale

Hyptis alata
Old Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve

Lamium album
Chagny, Bourgogne, France

Lamium amplexicaule
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Nature Coast Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas

Marrubium vulgare
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Monarda didyma
Trail to Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Monarda fistulosa
Devil’s Tower National Monument

Piloblephis rigida
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Prunella vulgaris
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Lands End, San Francisco, California
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Linville Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, Marion, North Carolina

Salvia ballotiflora
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Salvia brandegeei
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Salvai coccinea
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Salvia dorrii
Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park

Salvia farinacea
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Salvia lyrata
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nature Coast State Trail, Chiefland, Florida
High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia
South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs, North Carolina

Scutellaria drummondii
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas

Scutellaria mexicana
Skull Rock Trail, Joshua Tree National Park

Teucrium cubense
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Chapter 40

Oleaceae

This is the olive family of plants named after  Olea europaea or the olive of Europe and the Mediterranean.⁴¹  NAPA maps 12 genera in North America with 2 additional genera in Hawaii and one in Puerto Rico.  

Since the true olive is in this family, the family is known for the drupes it produces.  A drupe is a fruit with a pit - like a peach.  Also included are samaras - winged fruits common in the ashes.  

Over the years, I’ve photographed two members of the family: Faxinus and Chionanthus.

Chionanthus virginicus L.

Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L.)

I distinctly remember the first time I saw this tree.  I was collecting plants for my masters at Tishomingo State Park and I was on the east bank of Bear Creek (across the famous swinging bridge) when I saw a mass of petals on the creek bank.  As I looked up, there was the fringe tree in all its glory.  

Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L.)

The unusual feature of this tree is the petals (four) are so deeply lobed, they petals are divided almost to the base of the ovary giving the appearance of fringe.  

Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L.)

When you first look at the leaves, they can be crowded on the stems and it almost appears they are pinnately compound.  Instead, closer examination shows they are simple and opposite on the stem.  The fruit is a drupe, like an olive but it turns blue or black when ripe.

Swinging Bridge Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) at Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi

Fraxinus excelsior L.

Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Ashes are famous for canoe paddles and baseball bats.  This one is heavily laden with samaras.  You can see the pinnate leaves just emerging.  The most common ash in the U.S. is Fraxinus americanus or white ash of baseball bat fame and Fraxinus pennsylvanica.  Both are common in the eastern part of the U.S. with F. pennsylvanica with a wider distribution into the midwest (NAPA).  F. excelsior is European but has been brought into the U.S. and Canada.

Fraxinus anomala Torr. ex S. Watson

Singleleaf Ash (Fraxinus anomala Torr. ex S. Watson)

The only thing that cued me into this as an ash was the samaras dangling away on the plant.  Ashes, for the most part, are pinnately compound in leaf type.  This one fooled me for a while.  

Singleleaf Ash (Fraxinus anomala Torr. ex S. Watson)

Later, on another trip, I found one in bloom.  I’ve never seen an ash in bloom, only with the samaras so this was a treat.  As you can see from the locations of this one in the table, it’s a western species.

Species/Location

Chionanthus virginicus

Tishomingo State Park, Tishomingo, Mississippi

High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia

Fraxinus excelsior

Canal de Bourgogne, Velars-sur-Ouche, France

Fraxinus anomala

Emerald Pool Trail, Zion National Park

Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Chapter 41

Verbenaceae

This is the verbena family of plants. As I mentioned before, two genera in this family have lately been moved to the mint family: Clerodendrum and Callicarpa.  However, I’ve photographed three genera that are still within the family: Verbena for which the family is named, Glandularia and Lantana.  

That’s the tip of the iceberg.  NAPA lists 23 genera in North America with an additional three in Hawaii and four in Puerto Rico.  Like many of the mint family, the verbena family often has glandular trichomes that produce aromatics.

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Schauer) Nutt.

Dakota Vervain (Glandularia bipinnatifida (Schauer) Nutt.)

Contrary to its common name, Dakota vervain is found in places other than the Dakotas.  As a matter of fact, NAPA does not show it in North Dakota at all. This one was in Texas at Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Notice the trichomes on the stems.  

Dakota Vervain (Glandularia bipinnatifida (Schauer) Nutt.)

When I first saw this, I mistook it for the genus Verbena.  The reason is simple enough.  The genus Glandularia has many species that were at one time placed in the genus Verbena.  You really have to keep on your toes in taxonomy.  Someone publishes a paper and bam! Everything you learned is turned topsy turvey.

Glandularia pumila (Rydb.) Umber

Pink Vervain (Glandularia pumila (Rydb.) Umber)

Another beauty from Texas.  Notice the difference in the leaves of this one and G. bipinnatifida.  Again with the trichomes.  

Pink Vervain (Glandularia pumila (Rydb.) Umber)

I’m not sure what makes this one pink and G. bipinnatifida not pink.  They both look pink to me.  Like G. bipinnatifida, it was once placed in the genus Verbena.

Glandularia tenera (Spreng.) Cabrera

South American Mock Vervain (Glandularia tenera (Spreng) Cabrera)

I’m not 100% sure about this identification.  NAPA only shows this for Alabama.  I suspect it is correct because it is not really native to the U.S. and has probably become a roadside weed, which is where I found it.  The NAPA website was last updated in 2015 and I photographed this in 2017, so it could have spread.   I’ve included it based on the leaf morphology which is so distinct and the location I found it - on the Nature Coast Trail on the way from Fanning Springs to Trenton, Florida. 

Lantana achyranthifolia Desf.

Brushland Shrub Verbena (Lantana acyranthifolia Desf.)

As a south Florida native (well, at least for the past 35 years) I immediately recognized it as Lantana.  After all, we even have a town named Lantana.  Like the mints, this has glandular trichomes and Lantana is considered a natural insect repellent.  Rub a few leaves on your skin and kiss the mosquitoes goodbye.  

This particular one was on The Windows Trail at Big Bend National Park.  NAPA reports it in Texas, New Mexico, and rarely in Arizona.

Brushland Shrub Verbena (Lantana acyranthifolia Desf.)

Lantana has opposite leaves and if you look closely at the stem on the left, you can see the glandular hairs. 

To me, all lantanas have a distinct aroma when you brush up against the leaves.  I can see where it would be an effect repellent.  It’s not a bad smell, just powerful.

Lantana camara L.

Lantana (Lantana camara L.)

Floridata reports this is not native to Florida but you find it in abundance throughout the Gulf states.  It’s probably one of the more attractive of the genus but it can out compete native species.  However, you still can use it as an insecticide.

The genus needs a complete revision.

Lantana involucrata L.

Wild Lantana (Lantana involucrata L.)

At least wild in my backyard thanks to Chris who provided me a potting of this.  I’ve seen it in the wild but its more convenient to photograph in my yard.

Wild Lantana (Lantana involucrata L.)

NAPA shows this restricted to Florida.  Wunderlin and Hansen⁴² report five species of Lantana in Florida: L. canescens, L. involucrata, L. montevidensis, L. camara and L. depressa.  IFAS reports that only L. involucrata, L. depressa and L. canescens are natives.  To compound the problem, Lantana hybridizes.  In other words, it’s a mess.  

Verbena halei Small

Texas Vervain (Verbena halei Small)

Although called Texas vervain, it’s found elsewhere (NAPA) albeit apropos, I found it at Lake Livingston State Park in Livingston, Texas.  Worst night of camping ever!

Verbena hastata L.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata L.)

If you are going to bump into a verbena, this is it.  It’s the most widely distributed of any species in North America (NAPA).  I bumped into this a Mount Rushmore in July of 2013.  

Verbena rigida Spreng.

Tuberous Vervain (Verbena rigida Spreng)

I was traveling to Warm Springs, Georgia in 2016 and all along the interstate heading north out of Florida, I kept seeing this purple flower growing alongside the road.  That’s extremely frustrating because you take you life in your hands to pull over, look, photograph, and pull back into traffic.  I resisted the temptation.

When I finally got to Warm Springs and checked into F.D. Roosevelt State Park, I was pleased to see my little purple friend up close.  

Tuberous Vervain (Verbena rigida Spreng)

I suspect the rigida comes from rather stout stems on the plant.  The ISSG (Invasive Species Specialist Group) says it is native South America and is considered invasive.  I still think it’s pretty growing along the interstate.

Species/Location

Glandularia bipinnatifida

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Glandularia pumila

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Fredericksburg, Texas

Glandularia tenera

Nature Coast Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida

Lantana acyranthifolia

The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Lantana camara

Blue Springs State Park, Orange City, Florida

Nature Coast Trail, Chiefland, Florida

Lantana involucrata

Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale

Verbena halei

Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, Texas

Verbena hastata

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Verbena rigida

F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Chapter 42

Plantaginaceae

This is the plantain family of plants with 45 genera and 460 species in North America.⁴³  This family has undergone significant revision. Many genera I knew as members of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) have been removed to this family.  Fully 50% of the plants in the family belong to the genus Penstemmon⁴⁴ and a cursory examination of the Flora of North America show there are many genera within the family with but a single species.  

As more study is done on the family, I’m sure it’ll undergo more significant revisions.  Meanwhile, I’m getting adjusted to all the genera which have been added since I last undertook taxonomy seriously.  For example, when I was in graduate school, the family contained two genera to which I might be exposed in the southeastern U.S.: Plantago and Litorella.⁴⁵  It now has 45 genera.

Other than telling you most of these have opposite leaves, the only other thing I can suggest is they look eerily similar to figworts.  

Collinsia parviflora Douglas ex Lindl.

Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora Douglas ex Lindl.)

Collinsia is predominately a western species and as such, I never came across it during my graduate school days although I could have overlooked it since C. verna is found as far south as Tennessee.⁴⁶  

Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia parviflora Douglas ex Lindl.)

You may be forgiven if you think this flower looks similar to those found in the mint family.  It does.  The only way I knew it was not a mint was the round stems found in this family and the figwort family.  Mints, remember, have square stems, for the most part.

There are 21 species in North America and most are a single species in a single state.  C. parviflora is the most abundant species in North America.⁴⁷

Nuttallanthus candensis (L.) D.A.Sutton

Toadflax (Nuttallanthus candensis (L.) D.A.Sutton)

It’s interesting that The Plant List has this listed under the genus Linaria (I collected it under that name years ago) and Flora has it in an entirely new genus.⁴⁸  It’s a pretty little flower and is very common in the eastern U.S.  The spur off the back of the flower makes it interesting to me.  

Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller

Dalmation Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller)

This was introduced into the U.S. as an ornamental and I can see why.  However, it has escaped and is now considered a noxious weed in seven states and two provinces in Canada.⁴⁹

It was weird being cautioned so much by tour guides out west to leave nothing but foot prints and yet when they came across this, they pulled it up by roots and threw it in the nearest trash can.

Dalmation Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica (L.) Miller)

It has such a pretty flower to be so hated.  Notice the very long spurs attached to the flowers.

Maurandella antirrhiniflora (Humboldt & Bonpland ex Willdenow) Rothmaler

Snapdragon (Maurandella antirrhiniflora (Humboldt & Bonpland ex Willdenow) Rothmaler

It does look a little like a snapdragon but snapdragons belong to the genus Antirrhinum (Wikipedia).  Note the specific name of this one.  Too clever by far.  This is a really nice vine that was growing trailside on the East/West Trail of Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, Texas.

The “real” snapdragon was a favorite of mine as a kid.  We would pinch the blooms off and if you pressed on the base of the flower, the other end of the flower would pop open.  

I haven’t really seen any snapdragons since that time.  I wonder why it is not planted more frequently in the appropriate zones.

Cymbalaria muralis subsp. muralis P.Taetn.,B.Mey. & Scherb.

Kinelworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis subsp. muralis   P.Taetn.,B.Mey. & Scherb.)

I had a great deal of trouble trying to identify this.  In the end, since I photographed it in California, I posted it to Calflora and someone identified it for me.  It’s introduced into the U.S. and this is the only one of three subspecies found in North America.⁵⁰ 

It’s a tiny plant and I almost missed it as I was walking down to Point Reyes Light at Point Reyes National Seashore.  I can see where it could be used as a ground cover.  

I wonder if those two yellow spots are intended to direct pollinators to the anthers?

Penstemon canescens (Britton) Britton

Beardstongue (Penstemon canescens (Britton) Britton)

I was familiar with the genus Penstemon from my Tishomingo days when I collected P. laevigatus and P. pallidus.⁵¹  I was not prepared for the abundance of the plant throughout the west, north and eastern U.S. and Canada.  As I previously mentioned, 50% of the family Plantaginaceae are in the genus Penstemon.  

Beardstongue (Penstemon canescens (Britton) Britton)

This is an easy one for me to place in the genus.  I’m not sure why except I recognize the opposite leaves and the corolla tube is divided into two lobes on the top segment and three lobes on the bottom segment.  There are four stamens in each flower.  

The specific term canescens refers to the white effect of the hairs on the stems and leaves.  This particular species is found in the eastern U.S.⁵²

I’ve photographed this in several locations: High Falls State Park near Jackson, Georgia; Wolfden Loop Trail near Warm Springs, Georgia; Three Knobs Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway; and Shenandoah National Park.

Penstemon davidsonii Greene

Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii Greene)

This is a western species of Penstemon and is referred to as a subshrub.⁵³  I almost missed this as I was hiking up the Watchman Lookout Trail at Crater Lake National Park in June of 2015.  Subshrub is right.  It was growing very close to the ground.  I was out of breath from the climb and had just passed a snow patch.  I stopped to catch my breath and looked down.  

Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii Greene)

What caught my eye was the leaves.  I thought how strange they looked.  It was then I saw parts of the plant were in bloom.  Believe it or not, the stems of this are woody - hence the description “subshrub.”

Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii Greene)

Believe me, the flowers are really, really tiny.  You can see some hairs around the opening of the corolla tube on one.  

Penstemon deustus Douglas ex Lindl.

Hot Rock Penstemon (Penstemon deustus Douglas ex Lindl.)

Again with the subshrub description.  This was on the trail to Observation Point of the Upper Geyser Basin at Yellowstone. The Xanterra guide “Nick” had walked us all over the upper geyser basin that day and everyone was tired.  She then suggested a hike to the top of Observation Point, some 160 feet above the geyser basin floor.  

I figured it would be my one and only chance to do the hike (not) and I bit.  I was not used to the elevation and I struggled but finally made it to the top.  

Along the way, Nick was pointing out various things along the trail.  She didn’t know many wildflowers and steered away from those but she knew this one.  

Hot Rock Penstemon (Penstemon deustus Douglas ex Lindl.)

I can only assume the hot rock name comes from growing next to rocks on the trail which heat up in the sun or the hot rocks found in the upper geyser basin of Yellowstone.

Observation Point Trail, Yellowstone National Park on Another Visit in October 2016.

Penstemon eatonii A. Gray

Eaton’s Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii A. Gray)

Eaton’s Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii A. Gray)

This was an attention getter along the Capitol Gorge road in Capitol Reef National Park.  I find red to be a popular color of flowers in a desert background.  

Notice how leathery the leaves look at the base of the plant.  If you follow the leaves up the stem, notice how the base of the leaf seems to clasp the stem.  There are no petioles to the leaves.  They are attached directly to the stem.

I think you’ll have to admit that’s a pretty intense red.

It was along this stretch of the road that I came across this Penstemon.

Penstemon ellipticus J.M. Coult. & Fisher

Creeping Beardstongue (Penstemon ellipticus J.M. Coult. & Fisher)

Another subshrub.  During my graduate school days, I, of course, heard of the term but it was only on my trips out west where the term made sense to me.  Again, the stems are woody.

This was found at Black Forest Peak in the Bugaboos, British Columbia.

Black Forest Peak, The Bugaboos

First, let me tell you I did not hike to the top of Black Forest Peak. The people you see at the top are another group with our tour.  They were the more advanced hikers.  Even they were a little winded on their ascent.  

From our point just below Black Forest Peak you could get an excellent view of Wallace Lake with a glacier in the background..  

My group stopped for lunch and took in the views.  Black Forest Peak would be just to the left of this photo. 

Penstemon fruticosus (Pursh) Greene

Shrubby Penstemon (Penstemon fruticosus (Pursh) Greene)

This was a little shrub along the Lakeshore Trail at Stehekin, Washington.  The Lakeshore Trail follows along Lake Chelan.  The lake is a 50.5 mile lake with an average depth of 474 feet and a maximum depth of 1,486 feet (Wikipedia).  I’ve seen some beautiful lakes in my travels but this has to be one of the most beautiful.

Lake Chelan

Penstemon laevis Pennell

Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon laevis Pennell)

This is a pretty rare plant.  It’s known from only two counties in Arizona and three counties in Utah.⁵⁴  I found it in Utah along the Emerald Pools Trail at Zion National Park.

Smooth Penstemon (Penstemon laevis Pennell)

The term “smooth” comes from the lack of hairs on the stems and leaves.

Penstemon multiflorus (Benth.) Chapm. ex Small

Many Flower Beardstongue (Penstemon multiflorus (Benth.) Chapm. ex Small)

I must have caught it on a bad day since there was only one flower open.  As you can see, there are numerous buds ready to pop open.  This was growing along the Sinkhole Trail at Silver Springs National Park.

Penstemon pachyphyllus A. Gray ex Rydb.

Thickleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pachyphyllus A. Gray ex Rydb.)

Not only thick leaves but a very thick stem!  This is about as smooth of a plant stem (and leaves) I’ve seen.  There is a bluish waxy color to the stems and leaves - not unusual for plants to have a pronounced waxy coating.

I found this growing along the Rim Trail to Hermit Point on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  Monument Creek Vista was the first overlook I came to after spotting this.

Monument Creek Vista, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim

Thickleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pachyphyllus A. Gray ex Rydb.)

Usually, there are some hairs somewhere on any Penstemon but this one is totally bare.

Penstemon palmeri A. Gray

Palmer’s Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri A. Gray)

I guess if you can grow on a cliff face, you can pretty much grow anywhere.

Palmer’s Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri A. Gray)

There are three varieties that grow in the western U.S. but I can’t go beyond species from photos in identification.⁵⁵  I didn’t find this one to be particularly attractive - just hardy.

Penstemon utahensis Eastw.

Utah Penstemon (Penstemon utahensis Eastw.)

Another red flower in the desert.  If it wasn’t for yellow and red, I doubt you would be able to find much against that drab background.  Even green leaves blend in too much.

Utah Penstemon (Penstemon utahensis Eastw.)

Usually the presence of hairs is a water retention feature on plants so it’s surprising to see something so free of hairs on stems, leaves and flowers in a very arid environment.  This was photographed along the Capitol Gorge Road of Capitol Reef National Park.

That makes two species of Penstemon I photographed in this park, both red flowered species.  

Veronica wormskjoldii Roem. & Schult.

Alpine Speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii Roem. & Schult.)

My first exposure to the genus Veronica came with my barge tour of Bourgogne, France.  I ran into this particular species along the Castle Crest Wildflower trail at Crater Lake.  

Alpine Speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii Roem. & Schult.)

Flora of North America reports 34 species of Veronica in North America⁵⁶ so I’m sure I’ve overlooked many in my travels.  It’s a small plant (although there are some shrub species) and you have to kind of look for this.

Alpine Speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii Roem. & Schult.)

For some reason, this flower looks a little like a face to me.  After finding it at Crater Lake, I later found it in the Bugaboos of British Columbia.

Silver Basin Near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Plantago lanceolata L.

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.)

It’s from this genus the family gets its name - not the banana-like plantains served in Cuban restaurants.  This is, of course, an introduced species that does quite well in North America. 

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.)

I think the head of flowers looks a little like a satellite dish or an alien spaceship coming in for a landing.  The white structures you see are the stamens - typically four per flower so you can see it is quite a dense packed spike of flowers.

Plantago media L.

Plantain (Plantago media L.)

This is primarily a northeastern species but was introduced from Europe.⁵⁷  I found this on the Canal de Bourgogne near Dijon, France.  As you can tell, it has a resemblance to P. lanceolata but the flowering spike is more elongated.

Plantago patagonica Jacq.

Pursh Plantain (Plantago patagonica Jacq.)

Although this is found throughout the U.S. and Canada,⁵⁸ I found it at Catalina State Park near Tucson, Arizona.  

Pursh Plantain (Plantago patagonica Jacq.)

At least in this species, you can see the green sepals and the white petals of the individual flowers.  

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.

Herb-of-Grace (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.)

 Apologies for the poor photo, but the plant was really in bloom and I had a difficult time with focus and lighting.  Bacopa is either considered aquatic or semiaquatic and I remember collecting it in my “Aquatic Plants” course at Ole Miss during graduate school days. The leaves are opposite on the stem and are a little fleshy to the feel.

I think you can see the ground is pretty wet and just left of center you can see some black mangrove pneumatophores rising up.  This was taken at Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Sophronanthe hispida Benth.

Rough Hedgehyssop (Sophronanthe hispida Benth.) 

This was at one time placed in the genus Gratiola.⁵⁹  When it was  Gratiola, that was a genus I also studied in “Aquatic Plants”.  

Rough Hedgehyssop (Sophronanthe hispida Benth.)

This was found in sandy soil but in areas that were seasonally wet, so it could be considered an “emerging” plant.  

Rough Hedgehyssop (Sophronanthe hispida Benth.)

There are five petals but the lower two are fused.  The leaves are very close together on the stem.  

This was photographed at Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park near Haines City, Florida in August of 2016.

Species/Location

Collinsia parviflora
Road to Rainbow Falls, Stehekin, Washington
Lakeshore Trail, Stehekin, Washington
Cross Fissures, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Nuttallanthus canadensis
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Linaria dalmatica
Tower-Roosevelt, Yellowstone National Park

Maurandella antirrhiniflora
East/West Trail, Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Cymbalaria muralis subsp. muralis
Point Reyes Light, Point Reyes National Seashore

Penstemon canescens
Wolfden Loop Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Three Knobs Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park
High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia

Penstemon davidsonii
Watchman Lookout Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Penstemon deustus
Observation Point Trail, Yellowstone National Park

Penstemon eatonii
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Penstemon ellipticus
Black Forest Peak, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Penstemon fruticosus
Lakeshore Trail, Stehekin, Washington

Penstemon laevis
Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park

Penstemon multiflorus
Sinkhole Trail, Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida

Penstemon pachyphyllus
Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim

Penstemon palmeri
Roadside, Zion National Park

Penstemon utahensis
Capitol Gorge Road, Capitol Reef National Park

Veronica wormskjoldii
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Plantago lanceolata
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California

Plantago media
Canal de Bourgogne, near Dijon, France

Plantago patagonica
Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona

Bacopa monnieri
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sophronanthe hispida
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park, Haines City, Florida

Chapter 43

Scrophulariaceae

As I previously mentioned, at one time, this was quite a large family of plants.  Most have been removed to the previous family Plantaginaceae.  There are only nine genera left in the “skullcap” family.⁶⁰

Capraria biflora L.

Goatweed (Capraria biflora L.)

I’ve heard goats will eat anything, so why not this?  This is an unusual plant in several respects.  Unlike most members of this family, the leaves are alternate, not opposite.  There are only two species reported in North America.  One is in Texas and this species is restricted to the lower tip of Florida and the Florida Keys.  It is introduced and has become naturalized in the state.⁶¹

The leaves are very thick, so it would take a goat to eat them.

Verbascum thapsus L.

Wooly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.)

This plant goes back to my Boy Scout days.  As an instructor of nature merit badge at summer camp, I taught that you could collect the leaves and make an infusion that acted as a laxative.  

I have to admit I was a very mean counselor at camp.  I was always hungry.  Camp Kickapoo was very hilly and it would work up an appetite.  There was limited food in the mess hall and it was served family style.  You’d be polite and allow everyone at the table to take a certain amount.  You could only go back for limited refills.  

I would tell very gross stories to the young scouts so they would lose their appetites and it would leave more for me.  Mea culpa.  

Wooly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.)

At a certain time of the year, it sends up a very tall spike that flowers.  It’s probably one of the most recognizable plants for anyone in the field. The leaves are clasping around the stem and extremely hairy.

Wooly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.)

The flowers are very attractive and they mature as they go up the spike.

Leucophyllum frutescens (Berland.) I.M. Johnst.

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens (Berland.) I.M. Johnst.)

True to its common name, this plant is restricted to southwestern Texas.⁶²  It’s a shrub with densely hairy leaves to give a canescent effect.  

Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens (Berland.) I.M. Johnst.)

I stumbled across this on The Windows Trail at Big Bend National Park.

SpeciesLocation

Capraria biflora
Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Verbascum thapsus
Devil’s Tower National Monument
Spillimacheen, British Columbia

Leucophyllyum frutescens
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Chapter 44

Linderniaceae

This is a new family with members previously placed in the skull cap family (Scrophulariaceae).  There are only three genera and 10 species in North America.⁶³ 

I have photographed two genera.

Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell

Yellowseed False Pimpernel (Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell)

This is another plant of my “Aquatic Plants” course under Dr. Pullen.  We actually included anything that got its feet wet at any time of the year.  This plant thrives in moist or wet areas, not necessarily in standing water.

I was walking the nature trail at Lake George State Forest here in Florida when I became reacquainted with an old friend.

Lindernia grandiflora Nutt.

Round-leaved False Pimpernel (Lindernia grandiflora Nutt.)

This one was growing directly in water - a ditch actually next to a roadbed.  Actually, at the time, everything was under water at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park.  It was definitely a prairie and it had been raining for the previous month.

This plant is called a false pimpernel and I can see the similarity in the leaves and the flower of the scarlet pimpernel (in volume 1).  

It was here at this state park I finally accomplished a long held dream - photographing a bird no less!

For years I took students to Archbold Biological Station near Sebring, Florida.  The station provided overnight accommodations and they provided wonderful meals in a dining room.  You could show students all kinds of plants and animals and it was worth the trip if you were taking either botany or zoology.  I often mixed the classes on the field trip.

It was on one of these trips that one of the staff mentioned a caracara bird.  At first, I thought someone was pulling a snipe hunt on me but I later found the bird in a birder manual.  It’s called the northern crested caracara (Caracara cheriway) and it’s the “eagle” you see on the Mexican flag. 

It became an obsession to get a photograph of one.  Over the ten or twelve years I took students to Archbold, I probably saw the bird eight or ten times, always along the roadside of SR 27 as I either drove to Archbold or drove home from Archbold.  By the time I stopped my vehicle and got my camera out, the bird or birds (sometimes in mating pairs) would fly.  

I kept the camera ready on the seat and even then, the bird or birds would fly before I could get a shot.

I had just arrived at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park and was waiting to check in when I noticed a paved area across the street from the park office.  The large paved area was for those people who came to the preserve to star gaze.  

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park is designated a Dark Sky Designation for star gazing.  Supposedly, people come from all over the world to star gaze.  The park has provided convenient paved areas to set up telescopes.  

Sitting on a pair of fence posts were two caracaras.  I had hope!  As I inched my way forward, shooting at a ridiculous range, I was so focused on what I was doing I didn’t notice another person with the same goal.  

Once I spotted him, I kept back as far as I could so as to not disturb his shot.  The last thing I wanted to do was to spook the birds.  I never got the close up I desired but I have photographic proof the birds do exist!

Northern Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)

SpeciesLocation

Lindernia dubia
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Lindernia grandflora
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Kissimmee, Florida

Chapter 45

Phrymaceae

This is the monkeyflower family of plants, so named because the flowers sometime mimic the face of a monkey with the markings on the petals.  I guess I lack an imagination because I’ve never seen the monkey face in the flower.

There are six genera and 139 species in North America.⁶⁴  I’ve manage photographs on one genus and six species.  When I photographed and identified the plants, all were in the genus Mimulus.  Since the publication of volume 17 of Flora of North America, every one of the ones I photographed have now been moved to either the genus Diplacus or the genus Erythranthe.  

I’m sure if I spent my life researching this family (and some botanists do) I would understand why the change in genus and what separates Diplacus from Erythranthe, but I have no idea.  I just go with the flow.

Diplacus aurantiacus (Curtis) Jepson

Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus (Curtis) Jepson)

As you can see, the leaves are opposite on the stem and arranged in a cross pattern to better catch the sun.

Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus (Curtis) Jepson)

There are no real markings on the petals to allude to a monkeyface on this one but you may be able to see a few red spots where the stigma comes out of the corolla.

Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus (Curtis) Jepson)

I didn’t try to see if they were sticky and I don’t see any glands on them from my photos but I’ll take the word of the person who named them sticky.

Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus (Curtis) Jepson)

The fruit is a capsule with two partitions.⁶⁵

I found this on the Coastal Trail from Glen Camp to Wildcat Camp at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Erythranthe alsinoides Douglas ex Benth.

Wingedstem Monkeyflower (Erythranthe alsinoides Douglas ex Benth.)

You can see the markings on the flowers rather clearly here but I still don’t see a monkey face.  The term wingstemed makes you think the stems have outgrowths of tissue on them but they do not.  Not only do they not in this photograph but no where in the description of the plant is a winged stem mentioned.⁶⁶

These were photographed along the Lakeshore Trail at Stehekin, Washington.  The lake was Lake Chelan.

Erythranthe cardinalis (Douglas ex Benth.) Spach

Cardinal Monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis (Douglas ex Benth.) Spach)

I found this growing in Zion Canyon along North Fork of Virgin River at Zion National Park.  

Cardinal Monkeyflower (Erythranthe cardinalis (Douglas ex Benth.) Spach)

Normally, when I think of monkeyflowers, I think of them as either orange or yellow.  This is one of the few red ones I’ve seen.  There is a subspecies of Diplacus aurantiacus that is red.

Erythranthe guttata (de Candolle) G.L. Nesom

Yellow Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata (de Candolle) G.L. Nesom)

The one sure thing about monkeyflowers is when you see one, you see a lot of them.

Yellow Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata (de Candolle) G.L. Nesom)

I found these very attractive - not for their size but for their red splotches on the yellow petals.  I’ve photographed these in two locations: Yellowstone National Park and Crater Lake National Park.Yellow Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata (de Candolle) G.L. Nelsom)

Erythranthe lewisii (Pursh) G.L.Nesom & N.S. Fraga

Pink Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii (Pursh) G.L. Nesom & N.S. Fraga)

I’ve photographed these beauties in two locations: Crater Lake and The Bugaboos. 

Pink Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii (Pursh) G.L. Nesom & N.S. Fraga)

Of the six species I’ve photographed, this is my favorite.  I love the red spots on the lower petals, the golden throat and the tiny hairs lining the corolla tube.

Pink Monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii (Pursh) G.L. Nesom & N.S. Fraga)

Any where you look at this flower, there is beauty!

Erythranthe tilingii (Regel) G.L. Nesom

Mountain Monkeyflower (Erythranthe tilingii (Regel) G.L. Nesom)

Mountain is right!  I was at Silver Basin near French Mountain in the Bugaboos when I saw this along a stream.  This happened to be our last day of heli-hiking and I was getting used to the altitude and could hike well enough that I wasn’t totally out of breath bending down, photographing, and getting back up.  At my age, the getting down and getting back up is pretty exhausting, particularly the number of times I was doing it on this trip.Mountain Monkeyflower (Erythranthe tilingii (Regel) G.L. Nesom)

The biggest part of this plant is the flower.  Everything else is in miniature.  The leaves of this monkeyflower are hardly noticeable in this bed of moss.

Species/Location

Diplacus aurantiacus
Glen Camp/Coastal Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore
Lands End, San Francisco, California
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California
Bear Gulch Cave Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Erythranthe alsinoides
Lakeshore Trail, Stehekin, Washington

Erythranthe cardinalis
Zion Canyon along North Fork of Virgin River at Zion National Park

Erythranthe guttata
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Erythranthe lewisii
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Erythranthe tilingii
Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Chapter 46

Orobanchaceae

This is another family that had a major inflow of species from the skullcap family (Scrophulariaceae).  It’s an interesting family of plants in that some are totally parasitic on other plants and other members are partially parasitic on plants.  

It also includes a genus, Castilleja, better known as paintbrushes, which probably needs a great deal of revision.  I’ll only go out on a limb and identify a paintbrush if it is endemic to a very specific area.  Otherwise, if you consult local or regional floras, it’s a free-for-all on the identifications.

Flora of North America reports 27 genera and 292 species.⁶⁷  Of that, 119 species are Castilleja.⁶⁸

Conopholis americana (L.) Wallroth

American Cancer-root (Conopholis americana (L.) Mantl.)

Like a lot of parasitic plants, this is wholly parasitic on the roots of oaks (Quercus sp.).  To me, they look like long pine cones emerging from the ground.  This is an eastern species.⁶⁹

Over the years, I’ve read a lot about these parasitic plants, seen them in local guides, but never run across any.  The last few years has been exciting in that I keep running into them after such a long dry spell on my part (not theirs).  

American Cancer-root (Conopholis americana (L.) Mantl.)

There’s no other way to say it but that these flowers are quite ugly.  And tiny.

American Cancer-root (Conopholis americana (L.) Mantl.)

You can see the lack of chlorophyll in the plant as it newly emerges from the ground.  After a while, it begins to darken and “toughen” up

Buchnera americana L.

Bluehearts (Buchnera americana L.)

This is considered hemiparasitic (produces chlorophyll and photosynthesizes but also feeds upon a host) but no known host has been observed in nature.  However, in the lab, several grass and tree species have been parasitized by the plant.⁷⁰  This one was found on the loop road of the Old Tamiami Trail in Big Cypress Preserve.

Agalinis linifolia (Nutt.) Britton

Agalinis (Agalinis linifolia (Nutt.) Britton)

Agalinis is an old friend from Tishomingo days.  I collected three species in the park: A. fasiculata, A. tenella and A. tenuifolia.⁷¹

Like bluehearts, these are hemiparasitic.⁷²

Agalinis (Agalinis linifolia (Nutt.) Britton)

Most of the species have very hairy throats of the flower and along the edges of the petals.  I had to wade a little to get this photo.  The ditches were flooded.

Seymeria pectinata Pursh

Seymeria (Seymeria pectinata Pursh)

Another one of those plants I had never heard of in my life - not read about, not told about, nothing.  These are always fun to bump into and present a challenge.  It’s a bit like working crossword puzzles - using clues to find the answers.

Seymeria (Seymeria pectinata Pursh)

There are two subspecies of the plant and the description of the difference is one of the things that drives me crazy in botany.

1. pectinata subsp. pectinata - “Stems pubescent to villous; capsules densely tomentose.”
2. pectinata subsp. peninsularis - “Stems pubsecent to puberulous; capsules glabrescent to pubescent.” ⁷³

In botany, villous means “Bearing long and soft and not matted hairs; shaggy.”⁷⁴

Pubererulous is defined by The Free Dictionary as “Covered with minute hairs or a very fine down; finely pubescent.” 

So what do you think is the real difference?  I have no idea.  

Pedicularis canadensis L.

Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis L.)

I was familiar with this as a member of the skullcap family and had no idea it was hemiparasitic.⁷⁵  I like everything about this plant.  The leaves look fern-like.  The flowers look as though they are borne atop a scepter.  I even like the common name.  Whether or not it’s good for lice is anyone’s guess.

Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis L.)

The flowers are hooded and the color can be anywhere from straight yellow to orange to red or bicolored.  My experience is to find these in open woods under the canopies of trees. 

Pedicularis groenlandica Retzius

Elephant Heads (Pedicularis groenlandica Retzius)

This has to be one of my more exciting finds.  I had seen photos of this plant for years and really didn’t have any expectation of seeing it for myself in the wild.  It was on my first trip to Crater Lake in June of 2015 that I first came across this at Castle Crest Wildflower Trail.  These were all over the meadow and near the stream which ran through it and almost all were in full bloom.  

You don’t have to look too closely to see the elephant head in the flower.  

Castilleja affinis Hook. & Arn.

Coast Paintbrush (Castilleja affinis Hook. & Arn.)

Paintbrush or Indian Paintbrush, either way, this can be one of the more difficult genera to identify to species.  Whether or not you are using fresh material as opposed to pressed, dried material often affects how you interpret what you see for identification.  The species also hybridize to add to the difficulty.  As I previously wrote, I restrict my identifications based upon local floras of the area along with plant checklists for a specific area.

The plants do have a certain resemblance to paint brushes with the paint still on the brush.  This particular one was growing along the Balcones Trail of Pinnacles National Park.

Castilleja angustifolia (Nuttall) G. Don

Common Paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia (Nuttall) G. Don)

Based on the distribution maps of Flora of North America,⁷⁶ this is probably Castilleja anguistifolia (Nuttall) G. Don var. flavescens (Pennell ex Edwin) N.H. Holmgren.  That’s a mouthful!  

Common Paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia (Nuttall) G. Don)

The color of the flowers can be highly variable.  I wonder if it has something to do with the acidity of the soil.  This species has some of the most vivid reds I’ve seen in the genus.

Castilleja appelgatei Fernald

Applegate’s Paintbrush (Castilleja appelgatei Fernald)

You might not be able to tell from the photo, but this is a very small paintbrush. I think the color of the flower exquisite.  

Applegate’s Paintbrush (Castilleja appelgatei Fernald)

There are four varieties listed in Flora and based on the distribution maps,⁷⁷ it could be one of two: C. appelgatei Fernald var. applegatei or C. appelgatei Fernald pinetorum (Fernald) N.H. Holmgren.  Either way, the plant is quite special.  I found it at Crater Lake National Park.

Castilleja attenuata (A. Gray) T.I. Chuang & Heckard

Narrow-leaf Owl Clover (Castilleja attenuata (A. Gray) T.I. Chuang & Heckard)

When I first saw this, I didn’t think it was a paintbrush at all because of the white flowers.  A closer look gave me the genus.  Now all I needed was the species.    At least, I hope I got it correct.  

Narrow-leaf Owl Clover (Castilleja attenuata (A. Gray) T.I. Chuang & Heckard)

I think the interesting thing about this one is the petals remain erect on these instead of bending over and outward like most species.  This was photographed along the Sacramento River at Redding, California.  I suspect the Carr Fire burned out this area of Redding.  The good news is plants quickly re-establish themselves after a fire.  The bad news is there were a lot of nice homes next to the river that are probably gone.

Castilleja foliolosa Hook. & Arn.

Wooly Paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa Hook. & Arn.)

This is a rather robust plant and fairly tall (I would estimate around four feet).   I photographed this along the Balcones Trail of Pinnacles National Park.

Wooly Paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa Hook. & Arn.)

If you look at the stems, you can see it comes by the name wooly honestly.  

Castilleja hispida Benth. ex Hook.

Harsh Paintbrush (Castilleja hispida Benth. ex Hook.)

The harsh comes from the erect hairs on the stems but I suspect it could also mean the type of environment.  This is mostly in the extreme northwest U.S. and Canada.⁷⁸

Harsh Paintbrush (Castilleja hispida Benth. ex Hook.)

As you can see, the flower color is highly variable.  These photos were taken along the Agnes Gorge Trail of North Cascades National Park.

Castilleja hololeuca Greene

Island Paintbrush (Castilleja hololeuca Greene)

This was previously identified as a subspecies of C. lantana and has since been reclassified.⁷⁹  The plant is endemic to the Channel Islands off the California coast and is a rather large shrub.

Island Paintbrush (Castilleja hololeuca Greene)

The hairs on the stems and leaves give a whitish or grayish appearance.  

Island Paintbrush (Castilleja hololeuca Greene)

To me, it gives the impression of a yellow rose.  The leaves are very small and very long and lance-like.

Castilleja rhexifolia Rydb.

Alpine Paintbrush (Castilleja rhexifolia Rydb.)

This is a very small, low growing plant in harsh mountainous terrain.  Yet it has one of the most delicate flower colors you could wish for.

Alpine Paintbrush (Castilleja rhexifolia Rydb.)

I photographed these on the Rocky Point Ridge and Powder Pig Trail in the Bugaboos, British Columbia.

As a flower, you have to admit, it’s hard to compete with the scenery in the Bugaboos.  It’s also hard to compete with your fellow hikers for oxygen at this altitude (over 9,000 feet).  

Chloropyron maritimum (Nutt. ex Benth.) A. Heller

Saltmarsh Bird’s Beak (Chloropyron maritimum (Nutt. ex Benth.) A. Heller)

This flower reminds me of the genus Chelone (turtleheads) which I collected during my days as a graduate student.⁸⁰  Turtle heads always made me think the flowers would never fully open.  In C. maritimum they actually don’t fully open.⁸¹ 

One other thing to notice is in the upper right, there is a leaf that is in-rolled.  You can see the margins of the leaf almost meeting in the middle.  That is a leaf modification that helps retard water loss.  

This plant was growing in the field at Point St. George near Crescent City, California.  When I photographed it, it was Cordylanthus maritimus.  Since that time, the name has been changed to Chloropyron martimum.  Even Romans were good in agreement.  

Species/Location

Conopholis americana
Deeplow Gap Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Ledges, Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Buchnera americana
Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

Agalinis linifolia
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Kissimmee, Florida

Seymeria pectinata
Torreya State Park, Bristol, Florida

Pedicularis canadensis
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Pedicularis groenlandica
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Castilleja affinis
Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Castilleja angustifolia
The Windows, Arches National Park
Baker Creek Road, Great Basin National Park
Devil’s Overlook, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, National Park

Castilleja appelgatei
Trail to Plaikni Falls, Crater Lake National Park
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park

Castilleja attenuata
Riverside of Sacramento River, Redding, California

Castilleja foliolosa
Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Castilleja hispida
Agnes Gorge Trail, North Cascades National Park
Lakeshore Trail, Stehekin, Washington
Imus Trail, Stehekin, Washington

Castilleja hololeuca
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Seashore

Castilleja rhexifolia
Rocky Point Ridge and Powder Pig Trail, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Chloropyron maritimum
Point St. George, Crescent City, California

Chapter 47

Acanthaceae

Acanthus leaves decorated Corinthian columns of ancient Greece and Rome and they have been a familiar motif in architecture and furniture design ever since. NAPA lists 33 genera in the family with 20 of those in North America and the other 13 in either Puerto Rico or Hawaii.

Flora of North America lists 19 genera in North America and includes the genus Avicennia which NAPA does not.  

I’ve photographed Avicennia and Ruellia in my travels and collected an additional Ruellia and the genus Justicia during my grad school days,⁸² none of which have the typical Acanthus leaf pattern of the classical Corinthian column.  

Avicennia germinans (L.) L.

Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans (L.) L.)

The black mangrove is the fourth of four species of mangrove found in Florida.  The other three are white mangrove, red mangrove, and buttonwood.  One of the easiest keys to identifying black mangrove is to look for the pneumatophores coming up from beneath the plant.

Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans (L.) L.)

The theory is that pneumatophores allow the plant to take in oxygen when the roots of the plant are submerged in tides.  In volume 1 I discussed the controversy over cypress knees and their role in oxygen intake.  I suspect there has been no definitive conclusions on these pneumatophores of black mangrove.  

Whenever I find black mangroves, I also look for salt crystals on the leaves.  Both white mangrove and black mangrove often have excess salt form on the leaves of the plants.

Dyschoriste schiedeana (Nees) Kuntze

Snake-herb (Dyschoriste schiedeana (Nees) Kuntze)

I never previously encountered this and it seems it is an interesting find. It is pretty much restricted to Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico and then only to a few counties (NAPA).  The leaves are not acanthus-like but the flowers definitely do look typical of the family.

I couldn’t find any reference to snake-herb but one supposes it was once thought to be effective to treat snakebite or to repel snakes.  

Ruellia carolinensis (J.F.Gmel.) Steud.

Wild Petunia (Ruellia carolinensis (J.F. Gmel.) Steud.)

This is a common plant in woods and roadsides of the southeastern U.S.  NAPA shows it extended as far north as Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. My first exposure was at Tishomingo State Park and I still enjoy it when I run across it.

By the way, if you are ever in the Lake George State Forest area, where I photographed this, stop at De Leon Springs State Park near De Leon Springs, Florida.  The park abuts the state forest and you can take a guided boat tour of Lake Woodruff.

De Leon Springs State Park

There are some nice trails through cypress swamps in the park.  Perhaps the most famous feature of the park is the old mill which is famous for its pancake breakfasts.  People wait in line to get in and get served.  If you don’t get to the park early enough, the park gate closes and you have to wait until someone leaves the park to get access to the pancakes.

Old Mill Restaurant at De Leon Springs State Park

Ruellia simplex C. Wright

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex C. Wright)

Poor Mexican petunia.  It’s listed on the IFAS web site as a Category I invasive plant species on the Florida Exotic Pest Plants Council web site.  I can attest that it is an aggressive grower since I have it in my back yard.  It started in my mulch pile and has now taken it over.

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex C. Wright)

I really should remove it but it has a unique beauty to the flowers.

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex C. Wright)

Even the back side of the flower is attractive.

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex C. Wright)

The leaves stay green down here all year long and provide a lush undergrowth in my back yard.  As long as I can keep in under control, I’ll let it stay.

Species/Location

Avicennia germinans
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cyschoriste schiedeana
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Ruellia carolinensis
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Ruellia simplex
Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Chapter 48

Aquifoliaceae

I remember as a kid collecting American holly at Christmas time for decorations and the family of plants has stuck with me over the years.  I still thrill to find holly with the red “berries” (technically drupes) on the plant.  It still makes me think of holidays.

The Flora of North America has placed only the genus Ilex in the family in its prepublication listing for volume 18.  They removed the genus Nemopanthus and reclassified it as Ilex.  

NAPA lists 31 species of Ilex (and one of Nemopanthus) with 21 in North America, eight in Puerto Rico and two in Hawaii.  

In my travels, I’ve photographed four species of Ilex.  During graduate school, I recorded four species in Tishomingo State Park.⁸³

Typically, the leaves are coriaceous (leather-like) and alternate on the stem.  The flowers have four petals and if male, typically four stamens.  Often the flowers are dioecious - males on one plant and females on another.  

Ilex glabra (L.) A.Gray

Gallberry (Ilex glabra (L.) A. Gray)

You might wonder about the common name.  Most “berries” of Ilex which are technically drupes) have a bitter or bad taste.  I’ve run into this plant three times in the past few years: Lake George State Forest, F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Warm Springs, Georgia, and Reed Bingham State Park in Georgia.  

Gallberry (Ilex glabra (L.) A. Gray)

Note the spines on the edges of the leaves which resemble the larger ones of American holly.  Also, you can just make out stamens in the flowers, so this is a male plant.

As to the common name, the berries have a horrible taste.

Ilex myrtifolia Walter

Myrtle-leaf Holly (Ilex myrtifolia Walter)

Not all hollies have red berries but this one has them in spades.  I found this along the loop road of the Old Tamiami Trail in Big Cypress Preserve.  The name comes from the myrtle-shaped leaves.

My experience with this plant is mostly in the coastal plain of southern states.

Ilex opaca Aiton

American Holly (Ilex opaca Aiton)

Most people have seen American Holly with the red drupes, but few have seen the flowers.  The flowers actually stand out on this holly.  In many species of holly, the flowers are more cream colored and a little more difficult to see when in bloom.  Notice the stamens. That means it is a male plant and don’t expect to see the red drupes.

American Holly (Ilex opaca Aiton)

The stamens are opposite the petals in the male flower. 

Ilex vomitoria Aiton

Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria Aiton)

According to Wikipedia, this is the only native plant in North America that contains caffeine.

As to the specific epithet vomitoria, I have been told since Boy Scout days that Native Americans, particularly along the Gulf coastal states used to make a tea which served as a purgative during purification rites.  I’ve tasted the drupes and they are most foul.  

Species/Location

Ilex glabra
Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida
Wolfden Loop Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Ilex myrtlefolia
Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

Ilex opaca
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ilex vomitoria
Falling Waters State Park, Chipley, Florida

Chapter 49

Bignoniaceae

This family is commonly referred to as - wait for it - the bignonia family.  I know members mainly as trees and vines.  Flora of North America lists 10 genera. 

NAPA lists 28 genera but only 18 are in North America.  The other 10 are in Puerto Rico which seems to be bignonia crazy.  

The family includes some interesting plants: cross vine, catalpa, trumpet vine, and for you Florida types, Jacaranda and Tabebuia. 

I spent a lot of life at my grandmother’s house on my mother’s side and the neighbor next door had a catalpa tree.  The real significance of catalpa trees is the catalpa “worm” that feeds on the leaves.  There is, without question, no better fish bait than catalpa “worms.”  It’s as though fish wait all their life for a chance to eat one on a hook.  

As you might guess, it’s not a worm.  It’s the caterpillar of a sphinx moth, Ceratomia catalpae.  The caterpillar, at a certain stage of development, looks ferocious because of a long black horn which is harmless.  As kids, we spent a lot of time scaring other kids by throwing worms at them.

At a certain point, the larvae drop to the ground and pupate beneath the soil under the tree.  We were always told to allow some to drop down and pupate or you wouldn’t get worms the next year.  

Strangely, not all catalpas had worms.  Some trees never seemed to get them and others seem to have a thriving business in producing catalpa caterpillars.  The one in my neighbor’s yard was prolific.  I entertained fish for years with those “worms”.  

It was a common practice to freeze the worms for future use as bait.  Opening the freezer to pull out something to eat could be a little startling if you pulled out the wrong package.

Bignonia capreolata L.

Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata L.)

Here’s another childhood plant.  I have two distinct memories of this plant which grew in a ravine behind the Shell station owned by my Uncle James.  As kids, we would play in the woods of the ravine.  It wasn’t uncommon to have five or six kids playing back there and one thing we did was cut cross vines, Virginia creeper (and hopefully not poison ivy) and swing from the top of the ravine, down the length of the ravine, and hopefully make it back.  If you didn’t make it back, you had a long way to climb down the vine to the floor below.

If you don’t know, vines cut for swinging have a shelf life.  After we cut the vine at the source of emergence from the ground, the vine died.  You could swing on one for most of the summer but towards the end of the summer, the vine hold in the trees would become brittle and break.  It was anyone’s guess as to when the vine would break free from the treetops and unceremoniously deposit you on the ground with a thud.

Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata L.)

Where do kids learn things?  Someone in our group knew you could take a section of cross vine and smoke it like a cigarette.  It’s called a cross vine because of the shape of the phloem and xylem in the pith of the stem.  The pith is what gave the vine the “draw” of a cigarette.  

In case you are wondering, at one time I was the chosen one on the vine when it broke.  It seemed like I dropped 10 feet or more.  I’m sure that was an exaggeration since I was pretty small.  

I ran into this one in bloom at High Falls State Park near Jackson, Georgia.  I knew immediately what it was and a flood of memories came back.

Campsis radicans  (L.) Seem.

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans  (L.) Seem.)

Probably more common that cross vine, this was another vine of my childhood.  It was mostly a pain.  It wasn’t any good for making Tarzan vines.  It would also quickly take over a yard or old home place if you weren’t diligent in keeping it in check.  

The plant has pinnately compound leaves, not the large, heart shaped leaves above the flowers which are muscadines.  

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth

Common Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth)

My first exposure to this was in someone’s yard in Florida.  Later, I found it in the wild in Texas at Big Bend National Park.  The flowers are a brilliant yellow and quite large.  

Common Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth)

The leaves are pinnately compound and are fairly delicate in appearance.  It didn’t look like a Tarzan vine either.

Species/Location

Bignonia capreolata
High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia

Campsis radicans
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Tecoma stans
The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Chapter 50

Campanulaceae

The prepublication information on the bellflower family in Flora of North America lists 19 genera whereas NAPA lists 26 genera.  Assuming Flora of North America’s prepublication information is more up-to-date, and combining that with the species of NAPA based on Flora’s genera, that gives 124 species in North America with an additional five in Puerto Rico and 13 in Hawaii.  

There are two genera that I really enjoy finding on my travels: Lobelia and Triodanis (formerly Specularia).  Lobelia can be rather spectacular in size and color and Triodanis is more demure.  

Campanula divaricata Michx.

Southern Harebell (Campanula divaricata Michx.)

As obvious by the common name, this is predominately a southeastern U.S. plant.  To be honest, I was not familiar with the the genus Campanula as it is not reported in either Mississippi or Florida.  It was only on my western trips I finally became acquainted.

Southern Harebell (Campanula divaricata Michx.)

Harebells certainly have delicate looking flowers.  In this view you can see the almost needle-like sepals and how the petals sometime recurve.  The style and stigma are obvious.  When you look at the leaves, the leaves sometimes have persistent stipules.

Southern Harebell (Campanula divaricata Michx.)

The stamens are attached to the petals (epipetalous) and are opposite the petals.  

This particular plant was photographed at Cloudland Canyon State Park near Rising Fawn, Georgia.  I didn’t see any rising fawns but I did see a few does.  

Cloudland Canyon has been named by Backpacker magazine as one of the best day hikes in America.  After a hike to the east rim and water falls, I can agree. I reserved a cabin for a couple of nights and was able to hike the seven mile trail one afternoon.  There are some sweet vistas all along the trail to get spectacular views of the canyon. 

East Rim of Cloudland Canyon State Park

Even better, there are two waterfalls: Cherokee Falls at 60 feet and Hemlock Falls at 90 feet.  To access either of the falls, you had to descend a significant flight of steps.  

Which meant you had to ascend a significant flight of steps upon return.

Fortunately, once at the bottom, all you had to do was walk a fairly level walkway to the other falls. 

Both had signs asking people to keep off the falls.  Both had people either under the falls or on the slippery rocks next to the falls.  I pity the poor EMS people who have to lug them back up the steps on the way to the hospital.

Campanula rotundifolia L.

Scotch Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia L.)

I’m not sure why they are called Scotch Bluebells but perhaps due to the miserly size of the leaves.  The blooms are certainly not miserly.  

Scotch Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia L.)

This is a western species (at least where I found it).  I photographed it in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Olympic National Park.

Scotch Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia L.)

I’ve been to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton numerous times but only once to Olympic.  That’s a special place.  My particular interest in Olympic was to see a temperate rain forest.  One generally thinks of rainforests in tropical climes.  

Olympic has a rainforest called the Hoh.  It receives, on the average of 127.81 inches of rain a year with an additional 27.5 inches of snowfall (Wikipedia).  To be classified a rainforest, you must receive a minimum 100 inches per year.

Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park

Even though I went for the rainforest, I found I was more excited once I reached Hurricane Ridge.  A good friend Jim told me I had to visit the ridge.  I hate it when he’s right.

That’s the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Port Angeles, Washington in the background.  It was here I took a photo of the harebell.

Trail to Sunrise Point at Hurricane Ridge

Lobelia feayana A. Gray

Bay Lobelia (Lobelia feayana A. Gray)

I almost missed this one.  I was hiking Lake George’s Bluffton Hiking Trail at Lake George State Forest and had just finished the trail when I looked down and found this growing near the St. John’s River.  

I had forgotten enough of my taxonomy to know I had seen the genus before but couldn’t call it by name.  Later, it came to me.  Thank goodness when I can finally think of scientific names - albeit a little late.  This was a new species of Lobelia for me.  

NAPA only reports it for Florida.

Lobelia spicata Lam.

                                Palespike Lobelia (Lobelia spicata Lam.)

Lobelia is characterized by two upper petals and three lower petals in an irregular flower.  The leaves are alternate on this plant and the leaves have a clasping tendency on the stem. 

 

This was another Cloudland Canyon find.  From the looks of it, either a weed eater got this one or some animal had the munchies.

The one Lobelia I dearly love and don’t have a photo of is Lobelia cardinalis.  As you might suppose, it has cardinal red flowers and is a little of a showboat.

Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl.

Venus’ Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl.)

In my college days, I knew this as Specularia perfoliata.  I don’t know when it was renamed but I like the way Specularia rolls off the tongue.  Triodanis is just not the same.  

It had been a while since I’d seen this plant and was happy when it made a reappearance.  My first reaquaintance was on the Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in 2016.  Since then, I found it again at the Wilson Creek Valley Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  

Venus’ Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl.)

The flowers are quite special but I also like the way the heart shaped leaves clasp around the stem of the plant.  It gives the appearance of perfoliation but you can see there is a gap in the leaf as it wraps around the stem.  That’s not technically a perfoliate leaf.  The flowers are in the axils of the leaves and can bloom all the way up the stem.  

Species/Location

Campanula divaricata
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, Georgia

Campanula rotundifolia
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park

Lobelia feayana
Bluffton Hiking Trail, Lake George State Forest, De Leon Springs, Florida

Lobelia spicata
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, Georgia

Triodanis perfoliata
Pine Mountain Trail, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia
Wilson Creek Valley Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina

Chapter 51

Caprifoliaceae

Another flower I learned at an early age was honeysuckle.  I learned to pinch the flower off the vine and pull the stigma and style out of the flower to pull nectar from the base of the flower and then suck the nectar.  Very sweet and very tasty but you’d work yourself to death trying to get enough for nourishment.  

Later, I learned I was performing this act on Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).  I was taught it was introduced into the U.S. from Japan as erosion control, like kudzu.  Also like kudzu, it was a failure at erosion control.  

Much later, I learned there was a native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and much much later, I learned there are numerous species of honeysuckle, native and introduced throughout the U.S.  

This family also includes snowberries.  Snowberries are mostly western species (at least to me) and do have a little of the honeysuckle character.

NAPA lists 11 genera in the family and the prepublication of volume 18 of Flora of North America only has three.  For the three species in Flora of North America, NAPA shows 50 species with 39 species in the genus Lonicera, seven species in Symphoricarpus, and four specis in Triosteum.  

Lonicera hispidula Douglas ex Torr. & A. Gray

Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula Douglas ex Torr. & A. Gray)

I had been huffing and puffing up an incline along the Glen Trail to my campsite at Glen Camp, a 4.4 mile trek at Point Reyes National Seashore.  I was trying to get my heart beat down a little when I looked up and saw this brilliant red strand of berries.  I immediately recognized it as some species of honeysuckle by the opposite leaves that clasp the stem.  

Glen Trail to Glen Camp

I was tired enough to stay there a while and take in the plant.  Then, a little more incline before I got to camp.

Glen Camp, Site # 11

I’ve never been so happy to get a pack off my back as I was that day.  

Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng.

Bracted Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng.)

When I first saw this, I had no idea it was honeysuckle.  The leaf type wasn’t what I was used to and I had never seen a pair of bracts like that on any honeysuckle so it threw me.  

My first exposure came near Dunraven Pass at Yellowstone National Park.  Later the same day, I found some in fruit at Moose Falls in the park.  

Bracted Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng.)

Then it seemed everywhere I looked out west.

Bracted Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng.)

Travel certainly does broaden one.

Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)

Notice how the leaves clasp to the stem.  The colors can vary from pure white to a pale yellow on the same plant.  

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.)

The vine is so common in the southeastern U.S. that I almost never take a photograph of it.  I realized not too long ago I didn’t have one so made a point of getting these two shots.  I guess familiarity breeds contempt but it is a lovely flower with a wonderful aroma.  

Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder)

At first glance, you think this is Japanese honeysuckle until you realize it is not a vine but a shrub.  It has a lot of the same characteristics as L. japonica as far as the flowers are concerned.

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder)

The leaves are not as clasping as L. japonica and the flowers, if anything are more attractive and well formed.  I came across this several times in Cuyahoga Valley National Park as well as the hotel parking lot.  It was in Cuyahoga Valley that I found two more honeysuckles totally new to me.

Lonicera ruprechtiana Ragel

Manchurian Honeysuckle (Lonicera ruprechtiana Ragel)

This was on the board walk to Brandywine Falls in the park and it blew me away when I saw it.  I recognized it as a type of honeysuckle but was floored by the flowers.  The flowers look a little bit wilded out.  

NAPA shows this concentrated in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.

Lonicera tatarica L.

Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica L.)

I thought I had seen everything after seeing the Amur honeysuckle shrub and then along comes this shrub growing next to the Manchurian honeysuckle.  I don’t know what it is about Brandywine Falls but it seems to be honeysuckle heaven.

Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica L.)

The flowers are quite spectacular although diminutive in size.  I think I spent more time looking for honeysuckle that day than I did looking for water falls.

NAPA shows this distributed pretty much everywhere in the U.S. except the southeastern U.S. Oklahoma, Nevada, and Arizona.

Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake)

I think you can understand why the common name of snowberry.  NAPA indicates this is a northern and southwestern species.  My introduction came in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone.  Since that time, I’ve run into this plant many times and it’s one of the most common species I see.  That’s so strange to do that, especially having never encountered it before 2013.

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake)

As a person who once considered themselves a botanist, one of the things a botanist wants is to see the plant in all stages of development.  You are always looking for plants in the spring, summer and fall, in bloom, developing fruit and mature fruit.  I’ve been able to see this is pretty much all stages.

If you look at the leaves of this plant, they have a resemblance to honeysuckle.  The flowers, not so much.  By the way, Wikipedia claims it as a food source for various animals - just not humans.

Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt.

Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt.)

The leaves give it away.  All the snowberries I’ve seen have very delicate leaves, at least in the spring of the year.  They are all opposite on the stem and they all have a hint of honeysuckle.

NAPA only shows one species in this genus and S. mollis is not it.  The Plant List lists 19 species worldwide.   I suspect when Flora of North America’s volume on this is published, the genus will have undergone significant revision.  

This was photographed at the Channel Islands National Park visitor center in Ventura, California.  That means it is found at least, there.

Symphoricarpos oreophilus A. Gray

Mountain Snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus A. Gray)

I’m a little unsure on the identification of the plant.  Our tour guide Nick provided the identification and it certainly occurs where she pointed it out. I’ll go with it, in any case.  This was on the trail to Observation Point at Yellowstone National Park.  

Species/Location

Lonicera hispidula
Glen Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore

Lonicera involucrata
Dunraven Pass, Yellowstone National Park
Moose Falls, Yellowstone National Park
Lands End Coastal Trail, San Francisco, Californi
Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Yurok Loop Trail, Redwoods National Park

Lonicera japonica
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Lonicera maackii
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Lonicera ruprechtiana
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Lonicera tatarica
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Symphoricarpus albus
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park
Tower-Roosevelt, Yellowstone National Park
Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park
Devil’s Tower National Monument
The Bugaboos, British Columbia
Bridal Veil Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Avalanche Lake Trail, Glacier National Park

Symphoricarpos mollis
Visitor Center, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California

Symphoricarpos oreophilus
Trail to Observation Point, Yellowstone National Park

Chapter 52

Goodeniaceae

I have never heard of this family before and small wonder.  NAPA lists 13 species, all of the genus Scaevola and all mostly Hawaiian with three reported in Florida and one of the three reported in Texas and Louisiana. 

The one species I photographed was at Bahia Honda State Park and thankfully, the park personnel had labeled the plant.  I do admit to seeing it before in Florida but even then not knowing what it was.

Scaevola plumieri (L.) Vahl

Inkberry (Scaevola plumieri (L.) Vahl)

When I see the flowers of this, it always makes me think someone hacked off half the flower.   This was growing in the dunes on the Atlantic side of the park.  If you look right center of the photograph you can see the beginning of a drupe.  When ripe, they turn black.  I haven’t found any reference to making ink from the berries.

Species/Location

Scaevola plumieri

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Chapter 53

Lentibulariaceae

I love this family of plants.  First, the plants are carnivorous.  Not quite like the Venus Fly Trap or Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, but close.  They are primarily aquatic although I have found some growing on dry land in an area which is periodically flooded.  

There are two genera in North America: Pinguicula and Utricularia.  I’ve seen Pinguicula once when collecting plants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with Dr. Pullen and Utricularia many times.  

Utricularia is often found in quiet bodies of fresh water where it floats on the surface with inflated leaves.  Underneath, stems, more properly called stolons, spread through the water.  The carnivorous part is attached to the stolons.  It’s a bladder like structure, hence the common name bladderworts.

The bladder, at first is collapsed.  Sticking out of the opening of the bladder are trigger hairs.  Once some small animal triggers the hairs, the bladder reacts and sucks the animal into the bladder where it is digested.  The mechanism is too fast for the human eye but it can be seen when slowed down on film.  YouTube has a video showing the mechanism.

Utricularia breviscapa C. Wright ex Griseb.

Floating Bladderwort (Utricularia breviscapa C. Wright ex Griseb.)

I agree, it’s a poor photo but I was trying to show the underwater stolons of the plant.  They are the muddy green branches you see.

Floating Bladderwort (Utricularia breviscapa C. Wright ex Griseb.)

The flowers, when they bloom, can be quite gaudy.  

Utricularia subulata L.

Zigzag Bladderwort (Utricularia subulata L.)

Unfortunately, the photo does not provide you with any idea of how small this plant really is.  I was on the Myakka Hiking Trail at Myakka River State Park and I had been hiking for quite a while.  I was in the middle of a prairie in the hot afternoon sun and I was tired with a long way to go to finish the trail.  

Dry Prairie at Myakka River State Park

It literally felt I was in the middle of nowhere.  It’s called a dry prairie because it periodically floods.  I know, oxymoronic.  In any case, as I staggered down the trail, I kept noticing these flashes of yellow.  I was beginning to wonder if I was hallucinating.  Finally, I stopped and got down on my hands and knees and looked very closely and saw the yellow was indeed a bloom.

At first, I couldn’t see anything but bloom.  After I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and peered closer, I could see a stem attached to the bloom.  I never did see any leaves or stolons.  They must have been under the soil.

Zigzag Bladderwort (Utricularia subulata L.)

What appears to be leaves of the bladderwort are instead foliage of microsedges growing around it.  At least, in this photo, you can the characteristic shape of bladderwort flowers.  That’s how I recognized it.  

Species/Location

Utricularia breviscapa
Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

Utricularia subulata
Myakka Hiking Trail, Myakka River State Park, Sarasota, Florida

Chapter 54

Linnaeaceae

The prepublication web page for volume 18 of Flora of North America lists three genera in this family: Abelia, Kolkwitzia, and  Linnaea from which the family derives its name.  I’ve heard of the first two genera but never seen them and until my trip to the Bugaboos, I had never seen Linnaea.  The common name for Linnaea is twinflower - for obvious reasons, and the family is thus known as the twinflower family.  

Linnaea borealis L.

Twinflower (Linnaea borealis L.)

Borealis is apt.  Although found in the northern U.S (and even Tennessee) and some western states, it is all over Canada, particularly the northern provinces (NAPA). 

Not only are there twin flowers but the leaves are in opposite pairs on the creeping stem. 

Twinflower (Linnaea borealis L.)

I’ve never been able to find this in bloom.  It seems to be a very early spring bloomer.  However, I have caught it in fruit several times.  Although this is a terrible photo - out of focus, bad depth of field - it at least shows you how the flowers are on the stem.

Twinflower (Linnaea borealis L.)

If you look carefully at the fruits on the “Y” shaped stem, you’ll see some glandular hairs.  I assume the hairs are used to stick to the fur of passing animals, thus distributing the seed.  At one time, it was placed in the honeysuckle family.

Species/Location

Linnaea borealis

Lake Louise, Yoho National Park, Alberta

Chapter 55

Rubiaceae

Earlier, I related how my major professor, Dr. Pullen emphasized the need to learn the key characteristics of a list of families he provided.  He told us that if we were able to master his list it would allow us to pretty much place to family a significant number of plants in the state.  

As a whole, the class did a pretty good job and we were amazed that we could walk through the woods and pretty much place most of what we saw in the correct family.  If you can identify a plant to a family, you are half way home in plant identification.

The one family I didn’t quite understand why he placed it on his list was Rubiaceae - at least not until I moved to Florida.  Florida is a hotbed for members of this family.  It’s no coincidence it is commonly called the coffee family since you think of most coffee plants in the tropics.  Subtropical Florida has a huge number of plants in this family.  

The family is represented by trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs so it runs the full gambit of vegetation.  When I think of this family, I think of opposite leaves in a cross pattern on the stem, or whorled on the stem. Flower petals can vary in number but four is a common number.  If it has four petals, the flower usually has four stamens.  Flower color can vary from white to yellow to blue to red.  

Wikipedia states this is the fourth largest family of angiosperms on the planet.  Trust me when I tell you Mississippi didn’t have a whole lot in the family.  Be that as it may, I did collect six genera with 14 species at Tishomingo.  The majority of those species were in the genera Galium and Houstonia.⁸⁴

In my travels, I’ve photographed 10 genera and 19 species.

Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schltdl.

Firecracker Bush (Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schltdl.)

This was an eye-catcher on The Windows Trail at Big Bend National Park.  Red tends to be an unusual color for members of this family but this one apparently didn’t get the notice.  Note the whorled leaves at the stem.  The leaves actually have persistent stipules (the smaller ones at the bases of the leaves) to give a lush growth appearance in a very desert-like climate.

Firecracker Bush (Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schltdl.)

There are four petals fused into a tube and four stamens peeking out of the mouth of the corolla.  This photo looks enhanced but the vividness of the color was real.

Casasia clusifolia (Jacq.) Urb.

Seven Year Apple (Casasia clusifolia (Jacq.) Urb.)

Natives For Your Neighborhood reports this plant has separate sexes (male flowers on one plant, female on another).  Obviously, the flowers have five petals and you can see remnant sepals on a couple of the flower stems.

Seven Year Apple (Casasia clusifolia (Jacq.) Urb.)

The fruit, which is quite large, turns yellow when ripe. Useful Tropical Plants reports that if you poke a hole in one end of the fruit you can suck out a black pulp which has a licorice flavor.  

Cephalanthus occidentalis L.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis L.)

Not to be confused with buttonwood, one of the mangroves of Florida, buttonbush produces a spherical head of flowers (again the four petals).  What you see sticking out like antenna from each flower is the stigma and style of the ovary.  

Look for these in wet or moist environments, often growing at the edges of streams or lakes.  

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis L.)

The leaves are opposite on the stems and it can grow to a pretty good size shrub.

Both of these photos were taken at Lost Maples State Natural Area.  Where I camped was a “pond” begging to be skinny-dipped.  I obliged.  This was growing right at the edge.

”Pond” at Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Diodella teres (Walter) Small

Diodia (Diodella teres (Walter) Small)

Another genus change on me.  I knew this as Diodia and will probably continue to call it that as a common name.  It’s often found as weeds in southern lawns but a weed by any other name is a wildflower.  It can be found growing in disturbed places or along the edges of woods.

Diodia virginiana L.

Diodia (Diodia virginiana L.)

Why this one did not change genus as the previous did,  I haven’t a clue.  However, I suspect that when volume 18 of Flora of North America is published, either the one above or this one will be changed.  

This particular species likes wet, moist areas and the shores of quiet bodies of water.  This was growing in water filled ditches at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Florida.

My first collection of this was in Dr. Pullen’s “Aquatic Plants” course in 1974.

Erithalis fruticosa Linnaeus

Black Torch (Erithalis fruticosa Linnaeus)

This plant is found only in Florida, primarily in the Florida Keys (Wikipedia) and I photographed it at Bahia Honda State Park growing oceanside.

Black Torch (Erithalis fruticosa Linnaeus)

I assume it is called black torch because of the black fruit and the upright nature of the leaves on the stem.  

Galium aparine L.

Bedstraw (Galium aparine L.)

If you are looking for a reason the coffee family is the fourth largest family of angiosperms on earth, look no further than the genus Galium.  NAPA lists 84 genera in North America alone.  I collected six different species in Tishomingo.⁸⁵

I assume it is called bedstraw because it can be found growing in such large masses you could probably stuff a mattress with it.  

Bedstraw (Galium aparine L.)

There are four petals and three or four stamens.  As you can see in the photograph, the ovary is two-lobed.  The ovary is covered with hooked hairs which catch on the fur of animals.  The stems are square in cross section and they and the leaves also have the hooked hairs which allow them to hold onto plants.

Galium multiflorum Kellogg

Shrubby Bedstraw (Galium multiflorum Kellogg)

A very aptly named plant.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many flowers on a species of Galium before.  This is a western species (NAPA) found in California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

The leaves are much larger than most species of Galium, but like the others, in a whorled arrangement.  The hairs on this plant are much more coarse than other species I’ve encountered.

Galium obtusum Bigelow

Bedstraw (Galium obtusum Bigelow)

This is an eastern species of Galium (NAPA) and much more delicate than G. multiflorum.   I found this growing near a ditch at Reed Bingham State Park in Georgia.  The hooked hairs are very small on this.  You have to run your fingers along the stem to detect them. 

Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.

Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.)

From both the common name and the specific name, one would assume this has a nice aroma.  You may wonder why I don’t confirm this.  When I was collecting plants for my masters, I had to dig them up, wash them free of soil, press them and dry them.  I would always make a notation of any aromas.  

Now that I’m only photographing them and now that local, state and national parks prohibit any damage to them, I don’t have the opportunity to make that determination.  I know, what would it hurt to crush a leaf.  After so many years of uprooting plants, I just can’t do it.

Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.)

This is the most leaves found in a whorled pattern I’ve found in Galium. The leaves are also larger than most species and the result is a very lush growth.  It doesn’t look as though there are any hairs on the stem or leaves.

Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.)

If you look very closely at the photograph, you can see a little rough texture to the stem.  Those are the hairs that don’t seem to be there.

Galium porrigens Dempster

Graceful Bedstraw (Galium porrigens Dempster)

I keep wanting to add dumpster to the authority of this plant.  When large trash receptacles first came out, in our area of Mississippi they were called Dempster Dumpsters.  I’ve always wondered about that name.  It seems it comes from George Roby Dempster of Tennessee who invented them (Wikipedia).

Back to Galium.  This looks anything but graceful.  It looks like someone’s hair who slept on it.

Graceful Bedstraw (Galium porrigens Dempster)

It seems a little coarse and the leaves seem to have bristles along the edges (not the wide, dark green leaves in the photo).

This was photographed along the Balconies Trail of Pinnacles National Park

Galium triflorum Michx.

Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum Michx.)

Another one which supposedly smells good.  It also looks remarkably similar to G. odoratum.  Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum Michx.)

The only major difference I can tell is the leaves look a little more sturdy than in G. odoratum.  These photos came from Avalanche Lake Trail in Glacier National Park.  G. odoratum is not found in Montana whereas G. triflorum is found in Montana (NAPA).

Hamelia patens Jacq.

Firebush (Hamelia patens Jacq.)

This is a native Florida plant that hummingbirds love.  It has long, tubular flowers and it produces a berry that turns black when mature.  This one came up as a volunteer in the yard.  I’m sure a bird planted it with a little fertilizer packet to accompany it.  It has grown into a small tree and I’ve had several smaller volunteers appear over time.  I’m constantly having to trim this but I keep it because it does attract hummingbirds.

Houstonia caerulea L.

Bluets (Houstonia caerulea L.)

I was first introduced to this genus in Tishomingo and I have to admit a certain affinity for the genus any time I see it.  These are very small plants but when you get a group in bloom, they can really be a stunner.

Bluets (Houstonia caerulea L.)

The hue of blue is really soothing to the eye and then when the center of the flower is set off with that yellow, it really works the senses.  This particular cluster was taken at High Falls State Park near Jackson, Georgia but you can find them pretty much throughout the eastern U.S. (NAPA). Of the four species I’ve photographed and of the three species I’ve collected, this is still my favorite.

Houstonia procumbens (Walter ex J.F. Gmel.) Standl.

Fairy Footprints (Houstonia procumbens (Walter ex J.F. Gmel.) Standl.)

Perhaps the common name comes from not finding these in the masses of H. caerulea.  They are similar in size of flower but as the name suggests, they are more mat-like in growth.

Fairy Footprints (Houstonia procumbens (Walter ex J.F. Gmel.) Standl.)

The center is not as yellow as H. caerulea.  The leaves in the right foreground are not part of this plant.  Instead, it belongs to the genus Dichondrea.  Just underneath the flowers are the very tiny leaves of Houstonia. 

I photographed this along the Nature Coast Trail near Fanning Springs, Florida.  The Plant List has an old name (synonym) for this listed as Hedyotis procumbens.

Houstonia purpurea L.

Purple Bluets (Houstonia purpurea L.)

This was the first species of Houstonia I ever found (not this particular photo) and, to me, it’s so different from the other two species.  First, it grows very erect and the second, the leaves are much larger and follow all the way up the stem of the plant.  

Purple Bluets (Houstonia purpurea L.)

Over the years, students have commented on my ability to pronounce scientific terms.  I told them it didn’t come easy.  One term I had a real problem with was the word efficacy.  Another was the word purpurea.  It took me a while to master this one and Dr. Pullen corrected me several times.  

He once asked me if I was offended when he corrected me and I told him no way.  I would be far more embarrassed to be speaking in front of a group of scientists and mispronounce a term.  This was one he worked with me.  Efficacy was one I blew in front a group of scientists during a paper presentation.  By the way, the specific name is pronounced “pure PURE ee ah”.  

Purple Bluets (Houstonia purpurea L.)

You can see the purple lines in the throat of the flower.  Also not the persistent sepals after the bloom falls off.

Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx.

Prostate Bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx.)

At first look, these look identical to H. caerulea but there is a distinct difference in the stems.  These have more highly branched stems.  

I’ve photographed these at Mount Mitchell State Park in North Carolina and also along the roadside to Clingmans Dome in the Smokies.

Mitchella repens L.

Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens L.)

This is another old friend from Tishomingo.  This is an eastern plant (NAPA) and one that is always satisfying to see growing at the base of trees in deep woods.  As you can see from the photograph, the petals have a lot of hairs on the outer surface.

 

Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens L.)

Eventually, it produces a beautiful red berry in the fall of the year which I’ve never found to be eaten by animals for some reason.  Perhaps I just haven’t been at the right place at the right time and the plant has been picked clean except for this one berry.

Psychotria nervosa Sw.

Wild Coffee (Pyschotria nervosa Sw.)

Yes, if you could collect enough berries, you could make coffee with this plant.  NAPA reports 30 species but only four of those are found in North America and those are restricted to Florida.  The other 26 are in Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

I was teaching a plant taxonomy course for FAU at the Broward Campus and a student who was a cut above all the others re-introduced me to this plant.  My original introduction was a course with Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami.  

Wild Coffee (Pyschotria nervosa Sw.)

Most of the photographs come from my yard where the plant comes up as a volunteer.  It makes an attractive shrub and it’s native so all the more reason to let them grow.  

Wild Coffee (Pyschotria nervosa Sw.)

The berries eventually turn red.  Unfortunately, you’d need several cups of coffee if you tried to gather the berries to make enough for a single cup - a law of diminishing returns.

Randia aculeata L.

White Indigo Berry (Randia aculeata L.)

This was a new genus and species for me and not surprisingly, it was in Florida.  There is so much subtropical vegetation in Florida that is found no where else in North America.  

This was found at Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key, Florida and I would have had no idea of what it was (other than a member of the coffee family) if it hadn’t been for an interpretive sign put up by the park.

Indigo, of course, is a totally different plant that white indigo berry.

White Indigo Berry (Randia aculeata L.)

Sherardia arvensis L.

Blue Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis L.)

A lot of people mistake this for either Galium (because of the whorled leaves) or Houstonia (because of the flowers).  It’s not native to North America but has become well established (Wikipedia).

I photographed this along the Wolfden Loop Trail in F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs, Georgia.

Spermacoce verticillata Linnaeus

False Buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata Linnaeus)

This is a common weed in Florida lawns, particularly mine.  The leaves are arranged in a whorl on the stem and the flowers are in the axils of leaves in clusters.

False Buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata Linnaeus)

There are four petals, typical of the Rubiaceae.  Many hours are spent by homeowners trying to remove this weed.  It doesn’t bother me too much.  I used it when teaching to show students whorled leaf arrangement.

Species/Location

Bouvardia ternifolia

The Windows Trail, Big Bend National Park

Casasia clusifolia

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Loop Road, Old Tamiami Trail, Big Cypress Preserve, Florida

Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool, Texas

Diodella teres

Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale

Nature Coast Trail, Chiefland, Florida

Diodia virginiana

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Kissimmee, Florida

Erithalis fruticosa

Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Galium aparine

North Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

The Ledges, The Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio

Galium multiflorum

Roadside, Zion National Park

Galium obtusum

Reed Bingham State Park, Adele, Georgia

Galium odoratum

The Ledges, The Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio

Galium porrigens

The Balcones Trail, Pinnacles National Park

Galium triflorum

Avalanche Lake Trail, Glacier National Park

Hamelia patens

Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Houstonia caerulea

Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Lewis Springs Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

High Falls State Park, Jackson, Georgia

Houstonia procumbens

Nature Coast Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida

Houstonia purpurea

Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Green Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Houstonia serpyllifolia

Road to Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Near Little River, North Carolina

Mount Mitchell State Park, Barnardsville, North Carolina

Mitchella repens

Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Torreya State Park, Bristol, Florida

Jonas Ridge, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, Georgia

The Ledges, The Virginia Kendall State Park, Cleveland, Ohio

Psychotria nervosa

Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale

Randia aculeata

Bahai Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Florida

Sherardia arvensis

F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Warm Springs, Georgia

Spermacoce verticillata

Chez Fred, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Chapter 56

Valerianaceae

This is the valerian family of plants which the Flora of North America lists four genera: Centranthus, Plectritis, Valeriana (for which the family is named) and Valerianella.  The only one I don’t have a photograph for is Centranthus.

At one time in my life I did the obligatory sessions with a psychiatrist.  When he found out I was a botanist, he seemed very interested in the genus Valeriana for its reputed properties to induce relaxation and sleep.  At that time, I had never collected or seen any specimens but since my travels, I’ve bumped into four species.

Plectritis macrocera Torr. & A. Gray

White Plectritis (Plectritis macrocera Torr. & A. Gray)

This was an interesting find along the Lake Shore Trail at Stehekin, Washington.  I was only hiking a short way along the trail since I was still nursing a sore ankle when I came upon this.  The leaves are opposite and the flowers form a rather flat-topped head.

White Plectritis (Plectritis macrocera Torr. & A. Gray)

The petals are five and formed into a tube and there appears to be three stamens per flower.  Wikipedia places the plant in the honeysuckle family but Flora of North America has moved it to the valerain family.

Valeriana samolifolia Bert.

Rosy Seablush (Valeriana samolifolia Bert.)

This was growing in a field at the edge of the Pacific at Point St. George near Crescent City, California.  It really stumped me when I saw it, particularly since I wasn’t too familiar with the family of plants.

Rosy Seablush (Valeriana samolifolia Bert.)

In this case, it looks as though there are two stamens per flower and the flower looks a little irregular in that it appears to be separated into two upper petals and three lower petals.  

Valeriana sitchensis Bong.

Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis Bong.)

I ran into this quite a bit in the west and in Canada.  It tends to be in clusters where you find it and can be rather tall.  There are three stamens in each flower.

Sitka Valerian (Valeriana sitchensis Bong.)

I found the leaf structure interesting.  The leaves are opposite but I can’t determine if they are simply deeply lobed or if there are persistent stipules.  

Valerianella umbilicata (Sull. ex A. Gray) Alph. Wood

Cornsalad (Valerianella umbilicata (Sull. ex A. Gray) Alph. Wood)

Finally, a member of the family I recognized from my Tishomingo days!  The species I collected back in the day was Valerianella radiata.⁸⁶   That species is also commonly
referred to as cornsalad.

What’s interesting to me is that the flowers seem to arrange themselves into a rectangular head.  Both this species and V. radiata has the same type of inflorescence.  

Species/Location

Plectritis macrocera
Lake Shore Trail, Stehekin, Washington

Valeriana samolifolia
Point St. George, Crescent City, California

Valeriana sitchensis
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Rocky Point Ridge and Powder Pig Trail, The Bugaboos, British Columbia
Silver Basin near Frenchman Mountain, The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Valerianella umbilicat
Smokemont Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Chapter 57

Viburnaceae

Back in grad school days, this group of plants were in the honeysuckle family.  It’s since been separated out into its own family with three genera: Adoxa, Sambucus, and Viburnum from which the family name is derived.  I’ve collected Sambucus canadensis and Viburnum nudum and V. rufidulum during my three years at Tishomingo and I’ve photographed three species of Sambucus and six species of Viburnum.⁸⁷ 

Sambucus canadensis L. 

American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis L.)

Another plant from my childhood but one I was not supposed to know.  American elderberry was the source of elderberry wine (or as Mississippians called it, elderberry acid since Mississippians would never drink wine).  

The shrub has pinnately compound leaves and a pithy stem.  You could make pea shooters by cutting a piece of the stem and using a coat hanger, push the pith out of the center of the stem to get a wooden tube.  If the pith was obstinate, you simply heated the coat hanger and plunged the hot coat hanger through to burn away the pith.

Racemes of white flowers give way to black berries - the source of the wine.  I remember having a sip as a kid and it was a fairly mild flavor.  I still get excited when I see the plant.

I photographed this at Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Sambucus cerulea Raf.

Blue Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea Raf)

Like all members of the genus, it has pinnate leaves and is generally a shrub or small tree.  It was too early to be in bloom and too late to be in fruit when I encountered it.  The good news was the nature trail had it labeled so I didn’t have to try to figure it out without flowers or fruit present.

The nature trail was next to the community showers at Stehekin, Washington on Lake Chelan.

Sambucus racemosa L.

Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa L.)

Well, the berries are red when in fruit.  I was lucky to get the blooms over several trips.  

Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa L.)

There is also some red to the flowers once they open up.  There are generally five stamens and the petals are much reduced.

I photographed this on each coast.  First on the  Plaikni Falls Trail at Crater Lake and Klamath Beach Road, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California.  My next photo came from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.

Viburnum acerifolium L.

Maple-leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium L.)

For some reason, I’m pretty good with the genus Viburnum. I have no idea why I can spot the genus.  This was an interesting one to me because of the maple-shaped leaves.  I saw this as I was hiking down to Lewis Springs Falls. 

The leaves do indeed look a little maple-like, even as far as the red petioles of the leaves.

Viburnum edule Raf.

Highbush Cranberry (Virburnum edule Raf.)

Edule means edible.  It is not a true cranberry (that’s the in the Ericaceae family).  I saw this around the edge of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park in British Columbia.  The leaves were just beginning to turn.

Viburnum lanthanoides Michx.

Witch-hobble (Viburnum lanthanoides Michx.)

This one fooled me.  It looked like Viburnum to me but I was thrown by the extra large petals.  It almost made me think of hydrangeas.  The flowers along the periphery of the inflorescence have extra large petals.  

Witch-hobble (Viburnum lanthanoides Michx.)

If you look carefully, you can see the stamens of the peripheral flowers in addition to the center ones.  I photographed this in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Viburnum obovatum Walter

Walter Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum Walter)

The term obovate refers to the leaf.  The apex of the leaf may be wider than the base.  The white flowers produce a blue or black fruit.  If you look at the stems of the flowers, there are rusty hairs along the stem.

Walter Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum Walter)

You can see in this photo how some of the leaves are widest towards the apex.  There were plenty of these in bloom along the Nature Coast Trail at Fanning Springs.  I kept getting off my bike to take the photos and finally just had to move on.  They lined the bike trail for quite a ways and I suspect some were planted.

Viburnum opulus L.

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus L.)

Another Viburnum commonly called highbush cranberry....  This one is a little more opulent with the blooms and berry production.

Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus L.)

It is still a little disconcerting for me to see the extra large petals on the peripheral flowers.  Not all species do this. Another Cuyahoga National Park photo.

Viburnum plicatum Thunb.

Japanese Snowball (Viburnum plicatum Thunb.)

This was a stunner.  I had just returned from Blue Hen Falls and this was growing near where I parked the jeep.  It’s taken the enlarged petals to the ultimate and forms these huge spheres of flowers.  

Blue Hen Falls was really hard for me to find.  First, the one and only parking area for the falls was full so I had to park off road below the area for the falls.  In the parking lot for the falls, there was a sign that seemed to indicate a trail to the falls.  Not so.  I only found it out after the “trail” took me to an industrial site.  I finally got back to the main road and returned to the parking lot.  

A casual glimpse noticed people walking out of the parking lot and across the road.  Apparently, you were supposed to know the falls are located across from the parking lot.  

The falls were nice but not really worth all the beating about the bushes to get there. 

Species/Location

Sambucus canadensis
Secret Woods Nature Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sambucus cerulea
Nature Trail, Stehekin, Washington

Sambucus racemosa
Plaikni Falls Trail, Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Beach Road, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California
Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

Viburnum acerifolium
Lewis Spring Falls Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Viburnum edule
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Viburnum lanthanoides
Deep Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Pisgah National Forest

Viburnum obovatum
Nature Coast Trail, Fanning Springs, Florida

Viburnum opulus
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Viburnum plicata
Blue Hen Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Chapter 58

References Cited

¹Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. pp. 29-31.

²Ajilvsgi G.  Wilflowers of Texas.  2003. Shearer Publishing: Fredericksburg, TX. p. 225.

³Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 12. 2016. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 4.

⁴Fertig, W., Alexander J. 2009. Annotated Checklist of Vascular Flora Zion National Park. U.S. Department of Interior: Fort Collins, CO. pp. 22, 123, 154.

⁵Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 12. 2016. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 34.

⁶Ibid. p. 38.

⁷Ibid. p. 43.

⁸Ibid. p. 88.

⁹Ibid. p. 133. 

¹⁰Ibid. p. 135.

¹¹Ibid. p. 134.

¹²Ibid. pp. 147-148.

¹³Ibid. p. 156.

¹⁴Ibid. p. 312.

¹⁵Ibid. p. 365.

¹⁶Ibid. p. 366.

¹⁷Ibid. p. 371.

¹⁸Ibid. p. 376.

¹⁹Ibid. p. 404.

²⁰Ibid. p. 405.

²¹Ibid. p. 423.

²²Ibid. p. 435.

²³Hortus Third, A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, 3rd edition. 1976. Macmillan and Co.: New York.  p. 1046.

²⁴Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 12. 2016. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 442.

²⁵Ibid. p. 441.

²⁶Hortus Third, A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, 3rd edition. 1976. Macmillan and Co.: New York.  p.314.

²⁷Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 12. 2016. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 443.

²⁸Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 37.

²⁹Gleason, HA. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 1952. Vol. 3. Hafner Press: New York. p. 89.

³⁰ Ibid.

³¹Ibid. p. 52.

³²Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 36.

³³Ibid. p. 38.

³⁴Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada. 1976. Macmillian: New York. p. 485.

³⁵Ibid. p. 483.

³⁶Ibid. p. 589.

³⁷Gleason, HA. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 1952. Vol. 3. Hafner Press: New York. p. 140.

³⁸Ibid. p. 142.

³⁹Ibid. p. 142.

⁴⁰Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 39.

⁴¹Gleason, HA. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 1952. Vol. 3. Hafner Press: New York. p. 48.

⁴²Wunderlin R.P. and Hansen B.F. 2011. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, 3rd ed. University Press of Florida: Gainesville.  p.620.

⁴³Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 11.

⁴⁴Ibid. p. 12.

⁴⁵Gleason, HA. The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. 1952. Vol. 3. Hafner Press: New York. p. 268.

⁴⁶Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 65.

⁴⁷Ibid. pp 62-74.

⁴⁸Ibid. p. 41.

⁴⁹Ibid. p. 29.

⁵⁰Ibid. pp. 19-20.

⁵¹Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 40.

⁵²Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 197.

⁵³Ibid. p. 87.

⁵⁴Ibid. p. 170.

⁵⁵Ibid. p. 252.

⁵⁶Ibid. p. 305.

⁵⁷Ibid. p. 290.

⁵⁸Ibid. p. 290.

⁵⁹Ibid. p. 278.

⁶⁰Ibid. pp. 325-326.

⁶¹Ibid. pp. 334-335.

⁶²Ibid. p. 333.

⁶³Ibid. p. 352.

⁶⁴Ibid. p. 365.

⁶⁵Ibid. p. 365.

⁶⁶Ibid p. 395.

⁶⁷Ibid. p. 456.

⁶⁸Ibid. p. 565.

⁶⁹Ibid. p. 462.

⁷⁰Ibid. p. 506-507.

⁷¹Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 39.

⁷²Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 534.

⁷³Ibid. p. 564.

⁷⁴Correll D.S. and Correll H.B. 1982. Flora of the Bahama Archipelago Including the Turks and Caicos Islands. J. Cramer: Germany. p. 1650.

⁷⁵Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 510.

⁷⁶Ibid. p. 587.

⁷⁷Ibid. pp. 588-589.

⁷⁸Ibid. p. 612.

⁷⁹Ibid. p. 618.

⁸⁰Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 39.

⁸¹Flora of North America North of Mexico. Vol 17. 2019. Oxford University Press: New York. p. 666.

⁸²Searcy, Jr. F.T. A Floristic Study of Tishomingo State Park. 1977. University of Mississippi: Oxford. p. 39.

83Ibid. p. 32.

⁸⁴Ibid. p. 41.

⁸⁵Ibid. p. 42.

⁸⁶Ibid. p. 41.

⁸⁷Ibid. p. 41.