Home Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

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Archived-by-Date Pages

Wildflowers (Magnoliopsida class, Magnoliophyta division, Tracheobionta subkingdom, Plantae kingdom)

See also A Virtual Wildflower Garden across Time to identify wildflowers by color and when they appear.

     

All plant species represented on this page have demonstrated ability to survive without human cultivation in the general area where they appeared.  Some of these species were originally introduced from other parts of the world, however.  This page once had an index to these wildflowers by species, but it was destroyed by unknown circumstances. Replacing these 550-odd entries would take more time than I could possibly muster, so it is permanently lost.

The plants on this page are ordered by their family classification alphabetically within their superorder for simplicity.  These Latin names were checked against the Integrated Taxonomic Information System for validity; superorder names are listed here.

Identification errors are possible, in part because Latin names are under constant revision.   No information on this page should be interpreted as medical advice or as authoritative information relevant to herbal medicine, nor should any plants represented on it be assumed to be edible.  

To search directly for an item on this page on a desktop computer, enter CTRL+F.   On an iPhone, follow these directions: https://www.wirefly.com/guides/how-to-search-for-text-on-webpage-iphone-ctrl-f

Durham, NC  is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 although it might be changed to Zone 8.  The first hard freeze of the winter of 2009 was on the night of December 5 and the first snow on December 18.

Monocots: Liliane superorder

Water-plantain (Alismataceae) family, Lilianae superorder

   
Sagittaria genus, Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 8/29/12    

Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

   
Jersey Lily (Amaryllis belladonna), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/20/13 Fragrant False Garlic (Nothoscordum × borbonicum), Santee, Orangeburg County, SC, 4/29/11.  This is an introduced species. Crowpoison (Nothoscordum bivalve), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/15/19 Slender False Garlic (Nothoscordum gracile) flowers, Ocracoke Island, Hyde County, NC, 4/21/16. This is an introduced species. Nodding Wild Onion (Allium cernuum), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 7/17/11 Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum), Sarasota, FL, 1/22/20    

 
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) flowers, Durham, NC, 9/2/09.  An introduced species. Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense) flower and bulblets, Durham, NC, 5/17/20.  Bulblets produce long, skinny leaves. Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense) flower buds and bulblets, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/20/09 Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense) bulblets, Durham, NC, 6/6/09  Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense), Durham, NC, 5/31/24 Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense), Durham, NC, 5/11/23  

 
Possibly Cultivated Garlic (Alllium sativum), Durham, NC, 4/30/09 Wild Garlic or Field Garlic (Allium vineale) flowers, Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09.  An introduced species. Wild Garlic or Field Garlic (Allium vineale) with mostly flowers and a few bulblets, Durham, NC,  6/6/09 Wild Garlic or Field Garlic (Allium vineale), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09.  Sometimes this species produces little bulbs instead of flowers; this is happening here. Wild Garlic or Field Garlic (Allium vineale), Durham, NC, 5/23/09 Common Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 2/4/20 Atamasco Lily (Zethyranthes atamasco), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/20/07  

Arum (Araceae) family, Liliane superorder

 
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/06 Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Montreat, Buncombe County, NC, 4/28/14 Jack-in-the-Pulpit, with green seedheads, NC Botanical Garden, 7/17/09.  Two plants are seen here. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) seedhead, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/2/04.  The stalk typically breaks, letting the fruits reach the ground. Jack-in-the-Pulpit, with red seedheads, Durham, NC, 9/16/09  

         
Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 6/1/19 Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium), Asheville, Buncombe County, NC, 5/1/12.  Seen in a private garden.          

Asparagus (Asparagaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

 
Ithuriel's Spear (Triteleia laxa), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09 Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa), Carolina Lake, Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 12/28/19 Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Canadian Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense).  Tanawha Trail (Mileposts 299-300), NC, 5/6/11 Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09.  In the Nolinoideae subfamily. Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis), Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19.  In the Nolinoideae subfamily. English Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Durham, NC, 3/28/20.  An introduced species.  

Asphodel (Asphodelaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

         
Coral Aloe (Aloe striata), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/23/23 Orange Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/23/23          

Canna (Cannaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

         
Wild Canna Lily or Indian Shot (Canna X generalis), American Tobacco Trail (downtown), Durham, NC, 10/8/19          

Colchicaceae family, Lilianae superorder

Perfoliate Bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata), Mountain-to-Sea Trail, Buncombe County, NC  4/30/12

Dayflower (Commelinaceae) family, Liliane superorder

   
Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09.  Cultivated plant. Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/18/19 Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/18/11 Virginia Dayflower (Commelina virginica), Third Fork Trail, Durham, NC, 9/15/11.  The native dayflower species with by far the biggest flowers. Whitemouth Dayflowers (Commelina erecta), Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, 5/28/10.  An introduced species. Carolina Dayflower (Commelina caroliniana), Durham, NC, 9/20/09.  This is actually the smallest of the dayflowers.    

 

Nakedstem Dewflower (Murdannia nudiflora), Durham, NC, 10/23/20.  ID thanks to Su Kim. Nakedstem Dewflower (Murdannia nudiflora), Waveland, Hancock County, MS, 10/15/22 Marsh Dewflower or Asian Spiderwort (Murdannia keisak), a member of the Commelinaceae family.  Very common in rainy weather.  Durham, NC, 9/22/18 Marsh Dewflowers (Murdannia keisak), seen in swampy areas.  Durham, NC, 9/15/11.  An introduced plant, it is listed as a "noxious weed" in Washington state.

Sedge (Cyperaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

 
Straw-colored Flatsedge (Cyperus strigosus), Durham, NC, 9/9/19.  This used to be known as "False Nutsedge." Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), Durham, NC, 9/9/19 False Nutsedge (Cyperus strigosus), among Valley Redstem, on the far east end of the inlet of Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 10/28/17 Small part of the dry lake bed, with small plants, mostly False Nutsedge (Cyperus strigosus), on the inlet of Jordan Lake, Chatham County, NC, 10/28/17 Sedge, maybe Cyperus niger, Durham, NC, 9/29/09  

 
Giant Whitetop Sedge (Rhynchospora latifolia), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Starrush Whitetop Sedge (Rhynchospora colorata), Ft. Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/5/09 Squarrose Sedge (Carex squarrosa) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/6/23 Squarrose Sedge (Carex squarrosa) seedheads, Durham, NC, 7/4/19.  Tiny white flowers appear at the ends of the spikes. Awl-fruited Sedge (Carex stipata), Durham, NC, 4/27/20  

 
Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), Durham, NC, 7/14/21.  Beginning of flowering. Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), Durham, NC, 7/14/21.  Later stage of flowering. Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), Durham, NC, 7/14/21. Still later flowering stage. Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), Durham, NC, 8/11/21.  Final stage: seedheads.  

Rush (Juncaceae) family, Liliane superorder

         
Common Rush (Juncus effusus), Durham, NC, 5/10/19 Path Rushes (Juncus tenuis), Durham, NC, 3/26/20 Path Rush (Juncus tenuis), Durham, NC, 8/21/21          

Arrowroot (Marantaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

         
Powdered Alligator Flag (Thalia dealbata), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 9/18/19          

Yellow-eyed Grass (Xyridaceae) family, Liliane superorder

     
Yellow-eyed Grass flower (Xyris fimbriata), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/4/09 Yellow-eyed Grass (Xyris fimbriata), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/4/09      

Hypoxidaceae family, Lilianae superorder

         
Common Goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09 Common Goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/17/12.  Every spring at least one plant shows up at this particular site, but no others.          

Iris (Iridaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

 
Western Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), Indian Valley, Novato, Marin County, CA  4/30/17 Eastern Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrichium atlanticum), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/13/09 Eastern Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium atlanticum), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/30/21 Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/2/10 Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum), Durham, NC, 5/1/09.  Needle-tip Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium mucronatum), Durham, NC, 5/3/18.  Looks sommewhat like a hybrid with Annual Blue-eyed Grass. Annual Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum), Durham, NC, 5/2/23 Annual Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum), Durham, NC, 4/21/21 Annual Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium rosulatum), Durham, NC, 5/1/20

 
Coastal Plain Dwarf Violet Iris (Iris verna), Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, NC, 4/6/18 Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Tanawha Trail (Mileposts 299-300), NC, 5/6/11 Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica), Durham, NC, 5/6/18 Flowers of the same Southern Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica), Durham, NC, 5/9/19 Southern Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica), Durham, NC, 5/1/19 Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Larkspur, Marin County, NC, 4/23/23 Rocky Mountain Iris (Iris missouriensis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23  

Lily (Liliaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

 
Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythonium umbilicatum), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/9/21 Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythonium umbilicatum), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 2/23/17 Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythonium umbilicum), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/13/08.  These ephemera show up in early spring and die back to the ground when new leaves on the trees cut off the sunlight to the understory.  They are common in wooded areas around here. Dimpled Trout Lily (Erythonium umbilicum), Durham, NC, 2/17/20 White Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum), with flower fly.  Might be a hybrid of this species with the E. americanum. Durham, NC, 3/22/19  

 

 
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/5/08 Gray's Lily flower (Lilium grayi), Tanawha Trail, Watauga County, NC, 6/16/15 Orange Daylilies or Tiger Daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva), near Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09.  These were just a few of the many daylilies of this species growing wild in this area. Orange Daylily or Tiger Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), near Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09 Orange Daylily or Tiger Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva?), Durham, NC, 7/4/20.  Why is this daylily so different?  

 

         
Indian Cucumber-Root (Medeola virginiana) fruit and bud, Raven Cliffs Trail, Chattahoochee National Forest, GA, 5/29/13 Indian Cucumber blooms (Medeola virginiana), Linn Cove Visitor Center nature trail, Avery County, NC, 6/16/19 Indian Cucumber (Medeola virginiana) flowe, War Spur Loop, Giles County, VA, 6/15/11 Fresh Indian Cucumber flower (Medeola virginiana), Glassmine Gap, Macon County, NC, 5/28/13 Yellow Mandarin (Prosartes lanuginosa), Montreat, Buncombe County, NC, 4/29/14          

 

 
Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Butterfly Mariposa Lily (Calochortus venustus), Mt. Diablo State Park, Clayton, Contra Costa County, CA  5/8/15 Another Butterfly Mariposa Lily (Calochortus venustus), Mt. Diablo State Park, Clayton, Contra Costa County, CA  5/8/15 White Clintonia (Clintonia umbellata), Glassmine Gap, Macon County, NC, 5/28/13  

Bunchflower (Melanthiaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

         
Green False Hellebore (Veratrum viride), Linn Cove Visitor Center nature trail, Avery County, NC, 6/16/19 Fly Poison (Amianthium muscitoxicum), Tanawha Trail, Milepost 304, Avery County, NC, 6/16/19 Fly Poison (Amianthium muscitoxicum), Tanawha Trail, Milepost 304, Avery County, NC  6/27/14 Little Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum), Duke Gardens, Durham County, NC, 3/28/08. White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Glassmine Gap, Macon County, NC, 5/28/13          

Vasey's Trillium or Sweet Wakerobin (Trillium vaseyi), Glassmine Gap, Macon County, NC, 5/28/13 Catesby's Trillium (Trillium catesbaei), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/10 Catesby's Trillium (Trillium catesbaei) Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum).  Tanawha Trail (Mileposts 299-300), NC, 5/6/11 Red Trillium (Trillium erectum).  Tanawha Trail (Mileposts 299-300), NC, 5/6/11

Orchid (Orchidaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

         
Orange-fringed Orchid (Platanthera ciliaris), Bear Den Campground, Mitchell County, NC, 8/19/14          

         
Tuberous Grasspink (Calopogon tuberosus), Coastal Plain Habitat Garden, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 6/13/18          

 

 
Putty Root (Aplectrum hyemale) winter leaf, 2/21/09, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC.   The rather large leaf appears in fall and winter (but never the same time as the inflorescence), even as far north as Wisconsin, according to the University of Wisconsin at Madison Botany Department.    ID thanks to Will Cook. Putty Root orchid flowers, Swannanoa River Road, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC, 5/3/12.  The winter leaf was still here, all brown.  

Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule), Nantahala National Forest, 5/27/13 Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium  acaule), Falling Creek Camp, Tuxedo, Henderson County, NC, 5/23/03      

Crane Fly Orchid (Tipularia discolor), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09. As with the Putty Root, the leaf and inflorescence are never seen together. Crane Fly Orchid flowers, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/30/09 Crane Fly Orchid flowers (closeup of flowers on the left)

         
Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/30/09 Budding Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens).  Thumbnail went sideways through a quirk in the web programming software.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/2/11          

Slender Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes lacera), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/27/17 Spring Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes vernalis), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/27/17 Nodding Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes cernua), Coastal Plain Habitat Garden, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/5/19

 

         
Crucifix Orchid (Epidendrum radicans), Sarasota, FL, 2/25/18. A cultivated garden plant.          

Grass (Poaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

Grass flowers have a unique structure: spikelets are the basic inflorescence; the anthers (the male parts) are x-shaped and the styles (the female parts) are long and fuzzy.

 
Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), 7/14/13 Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), Durham, NC, 5/1/20 Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Durham, NC, 10/12/12 Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), Durham, NC, 3/25/23 Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), Durham, NC, 4/7/20 Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Durham, NC, 2/26/21 Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 5/30/22  

 
Switchgrass flowers (Panicum virgatum). Durham, NC, 6/20/09 Velvetgrass, called Yorkshire Fog in the U.K. (Holcus lanatus), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/22/20.  An introduced plant. Little Quaking Grass (Briza minor), Durham, NC, 4/26/20 Greater Quaking Grass (Briza maxima), Abbott's Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/29 River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium), Durham, NC, 7/23/21  

 
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), Durham, NC, 8/31/21 Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), Durham, NC, 7/29/22 Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), Durham, NC, 7/16/22 Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), Durham, NC, 8/23/21 Vasey Grass (Paspalum urvillei) Two-flower Melic Grass (Melica mutica), Durham, NC, 5/18/23  

 
Deertongue (Dichanthelium clandestinum), with stilt bug on lower right, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09 Redtop (Tridens flavus), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/29/09 Redtop (Tridens flavus), Durham, NC, 9/24/20, which has both yellow and white flower parts. Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, NC, 11/2/13 Bushy Bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), Durham, NC, 11/23/22 Purpletop tridens (Tridens flavus), Durham, NC, 4/24/20 Sandspur flowers (Cenchrus echinatus), Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, New Hanover County, NC, 11/11/12 Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23.  This is an introduced species.  

 
Spikelets of Smooth Crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum); the anthers and styles are black. Durham, NC, 7/15/09 Smooth Crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), Durham, NC, 7/2/20 Southern Crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), Durham, NC, 8/9/20 Flowers of Southern Crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris), Durham, NC, 8/9/20  

         
Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon), Durham, NC, 7/8/23 Grass (Avena genus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/20/23          

Pickerelweed (Pontederiaceae) family, Lilianae superorder

     
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Durham, NC, 6/30/16 Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/12/09 Common Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) flower, Myakka River State Park, Sarasota County, FL, 12/3/14      

Greenbrier (Smilacaceae) family, Lililanae superorder

         
Common Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), Durham, NC, 4/23/21 Common Greenbrier fruits (Smilax rotundifolia), Durham, NC, 5/21/21          

Dicotyledons (all other superorders)

Asteranae superorder

Acanthus (Acanthaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

Bengal Trumpet (Thunbergia grandiflora), Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20 Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia carolinensis), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/15/11 Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia carolinensis), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09 Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia carolinensis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex), Sarasota, FL, 2/19/23 American Water Willow (Justicia americana) flowers, with sweat bee inside one.  On Eno River bank.  West Point on the Eno, Durham, NC, 7/4/09 American Water Willow (Justicia americana).  Same plant as on left.

Dogbane (Apocynaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

     
Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/4/21 Little Periwinkle (Vinca minor), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/19/09.  Skinny leaves distinguish it from the Big Periwinkle. Big Periwinkle (Vinca major), with six petals, Durham, NC, 4/3/20. Broad leaves distinguish it from the Little Periwinkle. Big Periwinkle (Vinca major), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/10      

 
Maroon Carolina Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/15/19 Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis or Trachelospermum difforme: apparently hotly debated: the USDA favors the latter while the ITIS favors the former), Durham, NC, 5/23/19 Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis or Trachelospermum difforme: apparently hotly debated: the USDA favors the latter while the ITIS favors the former), Durham, NC, 5/23/19 Climbing Dogbane (Thyrsanthella difformis) buds, Durham, NC, 5/15/23 Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/20/09 Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Anglepod (Gonolobus suberosus), Durham, NC, 12/2/22  

 

Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae family), Asteranae superorder

   
Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/13/09 Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09 Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) seed pods with Large Milkweed Bugs on them, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/13/09 Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC 8/15/10 Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/17/19 Few-flower Milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), with Monarch Butterfly, Marie G. Selby Botanical Garden, Sarasota, FL, 2/28/18 Few-flower Milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), Shipley Trail at Bailey Homestead, Fort Myers, Lee County, FL, 2/22/19    

Aster (Asteraceae) family, Asteranae superorder

   
Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), with Honey Bee, Durham, NC, 8/1/08.  Photo by Karl D. Gottschalk. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 5/22/09 Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 6/4/06. This is an officially endangered species according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service and North Carolina Ecological Services according to their Smooth Coneflower Page. Camphor pluchea (Pluchea camphorata), Goose Creek State Park, Washington County, NC, 9/21/08.  Also seen in rural Chatham County, NC. Smooth Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus nudatus), Reservoir Park Trail, Southern Pines, Moore County, NC, 10/1/21 Common Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus), Durham, NC, 9/10/20.  Same Common Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus), Durham, NC, 9/10/20 Common Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus) flowers, Durham, NC, 8/28/22 Common Elephant's Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus) flowers and bracts, Durham, NC, 8/28/22    

         
Parlin's Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii), Durham, NC, 4/7/22 Close-up of Parlin's Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii), Durham, NC, 4/7/22 Parlin's Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii), Durham, NC, 5/9/23 Parlin's Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii), Durham, NC, 6/5/23 Santa Maria Feverfew (Parthenium hysterophorus), National Butterfly Center, Mission, Hidalgo County, TX, 12/11/22 Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/23/23          

   
Devil's Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa), Durham, NC, 9/9/19, with petals discarded. Devil's Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa), showing how leaves mimicking petals peel back.  Durham, NC, 9/15/20 Devil's Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa) flowers, Durham, NC, 10/5/20 Devil's Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa) seedhead, Durham, NC, 10/17/20    

 

 
Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) flower, Durham, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) opening seedhead, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) opening seedhead, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) opening seedhead, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) seedhead, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) seedhead, Durham, NC, 11/20/12 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) flowers and leaves, NC, 10/15/20 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata) seedhead and flower, Durham, NC, 10/27/22 Spanish Needles (Bidens bipinnata), Durham, NC, 10/27/22  

 

 
Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), Durham, NC, 9/10/20 Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), showing yellow petals opening wider.  Durham, NC, 9/5/20 Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), with yellow petals emerging, Durham, NC, 9/8/20 Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/5/08 Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19  

 

Hairy Beggarticks (Bidens pilosa), Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20 Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/19 Aster seedheads, probably of Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/19

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Durham, NC, 2/16/20 Spiny Sowthistle (Sonchus asper), Durham, NC, 11/16/18 Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), Durham, NC, 5/4/20 Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 A kind of purple aster, perhaps the Late Purple Aster of the North Carolina mountains, 10/16/08 Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Haw River State Park, 5/31/08, with Zebra Longhorn Beetle

 

Weedy Dwarf-Dandelion (Krigia cespitosa), Durham, NC, 4/24/20 Weedy Dwarf-Dandelion (Krigia cespitosa), Durham, NC, 5/11/21 Weedy Dwarf-Dandelion (Krigia cespitosa) seedhead, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus) flower and seedhead, Durham, NC, 7/4/19 False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus) seedhead, Durham, NC, 7/14/19 False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/16/11 Oriental False Hawksbeard (Youngia japonica), Durham, NC, 3/30/22.  An invasive plant.  ID thanks to Carol Ann McCormick.

 

 
Firewheel or Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella),Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09.  Although it is more commonly called "Firewheel" in North Carolina, it is called "Indian Blanket" in warmer climates, e.g., southern Texas, where it is seen in large clusters. An unusual Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, New Hanover County, NC, 12/3/12 Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) with flowerlike petals, Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, NC, 6/27/13 Red Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, NC, 6/27/13 Yellow Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, NC, 6/27/13 Pink Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, NC, 6/27/13  

 

 
Spoonleaf Purple Everlasting (Gamochaeta purpurea) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/14/20 Everlasting seedheads (Gamochaeta genus), Durham, NC, 5/11/20 Gray Everlasting (Gamochaeta coarctata) flowers, Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 American Everlasting (Gamochaeta americana), Durham, NC, 5/22/19 Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Anomalous pink Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/18/19  

 

 
Whorled Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), Durham, NC, 6/27/09 Lanceleaf Tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata), Durham, NC, 5/22/19 Leavenworth's Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii), Fort Myers, Lee County, FL, 2/21/19 Golden Tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria), Durham, NC, 6/7/18 Bearded Beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19 Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/19 Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis), Sarasota, FL, 2/19/23

 

Chicory (Cichorium intybus), seen in large groups along the sides of highways in the Natural Bridge area and nearby parts of Virginia, 7/8/09 Chicory (Cichorium intybus), including one albino (on Blowing Rock Rd. corner), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/30/10 Small's Ragwort (Packera anonyma), Durham, NC, 5/20/09

 
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago mexicana), Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 12/2/21 Elmleaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia), only about a foot high. Durham, NC, 9/21/19 Maybe Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 10/6/19 Blue-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), Linn Cove Visitor Center area, Avery County, NC, 8/12/19

Anise-colored Goldenrod (Solidago odora), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/5/19

 

 Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/1/21 Eastern Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), with weevil and tumbling flower beetle, NC Botanical Garden, 7/17/09 More Eastern Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/5/19 Eastern Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/5/19  

         
Mountain Decumbent Goldenrod (Solidago curtisii), Linn Cove Visitor Center area, Avery County, NC, 8/12/19 Rough goldenrod leaf Smooth goldenrod leaf Common Burdock (Arctium minus), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 European Milkwort (Tolpis barbata), Larkspur, Marin County, NC, 4/21/23 Smooth (or Common) Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), Larkspur, Marin County, NC, 4/21/23          

 
  Giant Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) flowers, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/30/09 Giant Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) flowers, Durham, NC, 7/14/19 Giant Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) flowers, Durham, NC, 8/16/14 White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Durham, NC, 10/1/24 Big-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 7/18/22 White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 8/20/18 White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Linn Cove Visitor Center area, Avery County, NC, 8/12/19

 
Frost Asters (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 11/2/16, with Yellow-collared Scape Moth Frost Aster (Symphyotricum pilosum), Durham, NC, 11/23/22 Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 10/31/22 Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 10/6/22 Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 10/6/22 Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 10/6/22 Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), Durham, NC, 10/6/22 New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii), Basin Trail, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, New Hanover County, NC, 11/16/22.  ID thanks to Harry LeGrand.  

Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium), Eno River State Park, Durham County, NC, 8/27/10.  This plant was standing by itself, enduring the summer drought over two visits. Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium), its Asteraceae family membership more obvious.  River Park North, Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 11/10/10 Bushy Sea Oxeye Daisy or Bushy Seaside Tansy (Borrichia frutescens), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Fall Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19 Bitter Sneezeweed (Helenium amarum), Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 8/15/10

 

Bitter Sneezeweed  (Helenium amarum), Ft. Fisher Basil Trail, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Purple Sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19 Fringed Sneezeweed (Helenium drummondii), Waveland, Hancock County, MS, 10/19/19 New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09

 

     
Hollow-stem Joe-Pye-Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum), Durham, NC, 6/28/19 Hollow-stem Joe-Pye-Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/09 Hollow-stem Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium fistulosum), Durham, NC, 7/14/22 Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Durham, NC, 9/3/22 Ambush bug on Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 8/29/14 Climbing Hempvine (Mikania scandens) buds, Durham, NC, 8/1/19 Sandhill Chaffhead (Carphephorus bellidifolius), Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines, NC, 10/24/18 Sandhill Chaffhead (Carphephorus bellidifolius), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 11/14/22      

 
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/11/11 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/17/21 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/17/21 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/21/20 Deformed Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/21/20  

 
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), Durham, NC, 7/18/19 Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 7/23/21 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 7/24/19 Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Durham, NC, 6/7/14  

   
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum), Durham, NC, 9/29/19 White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19 Dog Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 11/2/11 Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), Durham, NC, 5/4/20    

 

     
Annual Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Durham, NC, 8/27/20 Annual Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) male flower buds (closeup), Durham, NC, 9/8/09. There were about 2000 of these approx. 10-flower units on this particular plant. Annual Ragweed flower (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), among buds, Geitner Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/29/09.  A typical mature Ragweed plant has thousands of flowers. Annual Ragweed (Ambrosia genus), Durham, NC, 8/23/19 Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Durham, NC, 6/6/23 Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Centaurea genus maybe, NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/13/09 Late Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens),  Geitner Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/25/09 Hairy White Oldfield Aster (Symphyotricum pilosum), with an American Lady, Durham, NC, 11/05/12 Hairy White Oldfield Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) with beetle and showing some of the opened disk flowers, Durham, NC, 10/2/20      

 
Common Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 10/16/09 Eastern Daisy Fleabane flower (Erigeron annuus), which has many disk flowers, Durham, NC, 10/2/20 Eastern Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus), Durham, NC, 5/11/20 Eastern Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) seedhead, Durham, NC, 7/2/20 Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), Durham, NC, 4/28/09 Fleabane (Erigeron genus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/16/19.  Someday I would like to learn the name of this species! Fleabane (Erigeron genus), with petals still rolled up. Port Aransas, TX (outskirts), 2/20/14. Not useful for an ID, but I found it fascinating!  English Daisy (Bellis perennis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23.  An introduced species. Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23.  An introduced species.

 
Horseweed   (either Conyza canadensis or Erigeron canadensis; it's unsettled), Durham, NC, 7/6/19.  Information from the U. of Wisconsin Extension Service Yerba de Tajo (Eclipta prostrata), Durham, NC, 9/14/19 Yerba-de-Tajo (Eclipta prostrata), Durham, NC, 9/9/19 Horseweed Fleabane (Conyza canadensis), Durham, NC, 7/12/19 Oxeye Daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/15/19 Tridax Daisy or Coatbuttons (Tridax procumbens), on a long stalk, National Butterfly Center, Mission, Hidalgo County, TX, 12/9/22 Four-nerved Daisy (Hymenoxys scaposa), Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 12/8/22.  Seen growing in a large field.  

 

       
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/16/19 Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans), Hayesville, Clay County, NC, 5/30/13 Common Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC (~Mile 5), 6/24/10        

Treasureflower (Gazania linearis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/28/17. Native to southern Africa and classified as "invasive" in California. Treasureflower (Gazania linearis), common in Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/30/17.  Native to southern Africa and classified as "invasive" in California. Lilac Tasselflower or Cupid's Shaving Brush (Emilia sonchifolia), Fort Myers, Lee County, FL, 2/24/19 Lilac Tasselflower or Cupid's Shaving Brush (Emilia sonchifolia), Sarasota, FL, 2/16/23 Florida Tasselflower (Emilia fosberghii), Sarasota, FL, 2/16/23 Florida Tasselflower (Emilia fosbergii), South Lido Park, Sarasota County, FL, 3/29/12

       
Salsify (Tragopogon hybridus), a very anomalous sighting, Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 5/30/19 Purple Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/26/18 Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) flower and seedheads, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/11/24 Goatsbeard or Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius) seedhead, Larkspur, Marin County, NC, 5/30/19 Hairy Galinsoga or Shaggy Soldier (Galinsoga quadriradiata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19        

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius) infloresence, Durham, NC, 8/26/20 American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius), showing individual flowers, each making a brief appearance before turning into mostly white seedheads. Durham, NC, 9/23/21 American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius), transitioning to seedhead, Durham, NC, 9/14/19 American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius), Durham, NC, 8/29/20 American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius), Durham, NC, 9/15/21 Sea Myrtle or Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia) flowers, near major road, Durham, NC, 11/16/18

 

         
Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 0-1), Durham, NC, 12/28/23 Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Durham, NC, 2/26/24 Common Groundsel, Durham, NC, 3/8/24          

Balsaminaceae family, Asteranae superorder

     
Pale Jewelweed or Pale Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens pallida), Tanawha Trail (Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 304), NC, 8/17/15 Pale Jewelweed or Pale Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens palida), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/4/08 Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), Durham, NC, 6/12/19 Touch Me Not or Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), with tiny Tarnished Plant Bug, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/6/08 Touch Me Not or Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) seeds and burst pod, Geitner Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/25/09. Touching a ripe pod, which has a slender convex shape, causes it to split at the seams, freeing the seeds.      

Bignonia (Bignoniaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

   
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), Durham, NC, 5/4/09 Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), Durham, NC, 4/9/20 Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, 6/13/09 Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09 Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans), National Butterfly Center, Mission, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/17/19    

Pink Trumpet Tree (Handroanthus impetiginosus), Sarasota, FL, 1/21/20 Tree of Gold (Tabebuia aurea), Ringling Museum of Art grounds, Sarasota, FL, 1/21/20 Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) flowers, Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20. Native to the milder regions of Africa. Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana) fruit, Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20.

Forget-me-not (Boraginaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

     
Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09.  Fivespot (Nemophila maculata), Durham, NC, 4/6/23.  It is endemic to eastern California, but apparently is a popular garden plant in other places. Strict Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis stricta) flowers and seedheads, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 3/24/19.  This is an introduced species. Strict Forget-me-not (Myosotis stricta), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 0-1.25), Durham, NC, 3/30/23 Strict Forget-me-not (Myosotis stricta), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 4/5/22.  An introduced plant. Strict Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis stricta), American Tobacco Trail near Southpoint Shopping Center, Durham, NC, 4/3/22 Small-flowered Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Boone Greenway, Watauga County, NC, 7/2/24 Small-flowered Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), Boone Greenway, Watauga County, NC, 7/2/10.       

 

Virginia Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09.  Bigseed Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis macrosperma), Durham, NC, 3/24/22 Bigseed Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis macrosperma), Durham, NC, 3/24/22 Bigseed Forget-me-not (Myosotis macrosperma), Durham, NC, 4/15/21 Texas Wild Olive (Cordia boissieri), McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19

         
Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 4/10/24 Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 4/16/22          

Bellflower (Campanulaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

 
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Durham, NC, 9/1/08 Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Durham, NC, 9/9/19 Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09 Downy Lobelia (Lobelia puberula).  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/4/08 Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata), Durham, NC, 10/8/20 Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata), Mitchell County, NC, 8/19/14 Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata), Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 8/22/18 Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata), Durham, NC, 5/18/09 Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09.  Thanks to Janie Harmon Owens for ID. Southern Harebell (Campanula divaricata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19  

Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) buds, Durham, NC, 4/13/20 Coral Honeysuckle (Lonacera sempervirens), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), Durham, NC, 4/21/20 Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), Durham, NC, 4/4/20 Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Durham, NC, 4/20/20 Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), Durham, NC, 5/1/19 Smooth Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), Durham, NC, 4/2/22

;
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), Durham, NC, 5/29/18 Common Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/12/09 Beaked Cornsalad (Valerianella radiata), Durham, NC, 4/9/19

Morning Glory (Convolvulaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

Little White Morning Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Durham, NC, 8/23/19 Little White Morning Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa), Flat River Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 10/27/10, illustrating how varied this species is. Little White Morning Glories (Ipomoea lacunosa), Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 9/10/16 Little White Morning Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa),(purple variety), Durham, NC, 9/29/19 Little White Morning Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa), (purple variety), Durham, NC, 9/29/19

Man-of-the-earth or Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata), a kind of morning glory.  American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 Man-of-the-earth or Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata), Durham, NC, 7/12/09 Redstar (Ipomoea coccinea), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09

Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), Durham, NC, 9/29/19 Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), showing pink tube, American Tobacco Trail (downtown), Durham, NC, 10/8/19 Common Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea), American Tobacco Trail (downtown), Durham, NC, 10/8/19 Common Morning Glories (Ipomoea purpurea), Jordan Lake Dam, Chatham County, NC, 9/20/10

Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea imperati), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/20/13 Tievine or Cotton Morning Glory (Ipomoea cordatotriloba), Ft. Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover, NC, 9/28/10 Tievine (Ipomoea cordatotriloba), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/19 Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii or Cuscuta campestris), Durham, NC, 9/6/20 Common Dodder or Scaldweed (Cuscuta gronovii or Cuscuta campestris), Durham, NC, 9/3/16, formerly considered to be a member of Cuscutaceae family.

Ebenaceae family, Asteranae superorder

         
Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) fruits, Durham, NC, 9/29/19 Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) flowers, Durham, NC, 5/15/23          

Gentian (Gentianaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

         
Narrowleaf Rose Gentian or Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis), Ft. Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Salt Marsh Pink (Sabatia stellaris), Ft. Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/6/09 Salt Marsh Pink (Sabatia stellaris), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 10/04/23 Salt Marsh Pink (Sabatia stellaris), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 10/05/23 Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) flowers, Linn Cove Visitor Center, Caldwell County, NC, 10/15/18.  These never fully open, and resemble buds. Virginia Pennywort (Obolaria virginica), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, 3/7/23 Virginia Pennywort (Obolaria virginiana), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, 4/10/24          

Waterleaf (Hydrophyllaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

         
Miami Mist (Phacelia purshii), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/2/10, one of many near the parking lot.  ID thanks to Bailey Winstead, who says they are common in the Smoky Mountains. They are not native this far east, according to Harry LeGrand, who confirmed the species ID.  These are similar to the Fringed Phacelia, which has fewer flowers per stem. Maybe Fernleaf Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatafida), in the mountain garden section of the NC Botanical Garden, 5/9/10. Waterpods (Hydrolea quadrivalvis) common in the formerly adjoining pond, Jordan Lake Gamelands, Chatham County, NC, 8/30/15. ID thanks to Su Kim.          

Mint (Lamiaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

Beefsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens), Durham, NC, 9/9/19 Same Beefsteak Plant (Perilla frutescens), Durham, NC, 9/9/19 Broadtooth Hedgenettle (Stachys latidens), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Durham, NC, 2/22/23 Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Durham, 4/3/09. Note the tiny black midge on the top flower. Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Durham, NC, 4/8/09 Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) with a cuckoo bee (Nomada genus, Heminomada subgenus, possibly Imbricata species), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/22/09 Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/22/09

 

     
Helmetflower (Scutellaria integrifolia), Durham, NC, 6/6/09 Blue Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia), Durham, NC, 9/22/19 South American Skullcap (Scutellaria racemosa).  ID provided by Keith Bradley, Botanist at South Carolina DNR, and confirmed by Carol McCormick of UNC-Chapel Hill and Harry LeGrand.  Durham, NC, 5/9/22 South American Skullcap (Scutellaria racemosa), Durham, NC, 7/19/21, about 6 inches high, found near pond after heavy rain. Small Skullcap (Scutellaria parvula), Durham, NC, 7/19/21 Common Hemp Nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 Split-lipped Hemp Nettle (Galeopsis bifida), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 American Germander (Teucrium canadense)      

Heal-All (Prunella vulgaris), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 7/8/11 Spotted Bee-balm (Monarda punctata), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/12/11 Spotted Bee-balm (Monarda punctata), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 10/5/23 Spotted Bee-balm (Monarda punctata), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 10/1/23 Scarlet Bee-balm (Monarda didyma), Salem College, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09 Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens), McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19 Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 4/22/20 Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata), Durham, NC, 4/14/20

   
White Beebalm (Monarda clinopodia), at the summit of Harkening Hill, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09 Bergamot or Lavender Bee-balm (Monarda fistulosa), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Broad-toothed Hedgenettle
(Stachys latidens), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/30/18		 Bugle Hedgenettle (Stachys ajugoides), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), NC Botanical Garden, 9/6/09 Virginia Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) flowers and buds, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/27/17 Male Sachem on Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), Johnson Farm, Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 7/16/12    


 
Forked Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum), Durham, NC, 9/3/22 Forked Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum) flower, Durham, NC, 9/4/22 Dune Bluecurls (Trichostema nesophilum), 9/28/10.These wildflowers were common in the sand on the initial stretch of the Fort Fisher Basin Trail, New Hanover County, NC. ID is uncertain; specimens have been taken on islands off the far southern North Carolina coast. Carpet Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans, introduced from Eurasia), about 3 feet high, just off Lake Crabtree trail on southern side of lake.  Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09.  Java Glorybower (Clerodendrum speciosissimum), Sarasota, FL, 2/18/23 Southern Horse Balm or Deepwoods Horse Balm (Collinsonia tuberosa), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 8/12/19  

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) flowers, Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 7/19/22 Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) fruits, Durham, NC, 9/21/22 American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) fruits, Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 9/18/19 Virginia Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus), Durham, NC, 9/22/21 Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Durham, NC, 6/2/22

 

         
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/11/24 Purple Top Vervain (Verbena bonariensis), Durham, NC, 8/10/24          

 

Lentibulariaceae family, Asteranae superorder

         
Yellow Bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza), Prairie Ridge Ecostation, Raleigh, Wake County, NC, 8/10/17          

False Pimpernel (Linderniaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

         
Malaysian False Pimpernel (Lindernia crustacea), Sarasota, FL, 1/23/20. ID thanks to Su Kim!  Malaysian False Pimpernel (Lindernia crustacea).  Durham, NC, 9/7/19 Malaysian False Pimpernel (Lindernia crustacea) flower, Durham, NC, 9/12/20 Malasian False pimpernel (Lindernia crustacea), Durham, NC, 8/29/20          

Loganiaceae family, Asteranae superorder

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), Durham, NC, 3/30/09

Olive (Oleaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

       
Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) fruit, Durham, NC, 8/15/09 Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) blooming flowers and leaves.  The skinny flowers are purplish-pink. Durham, NC, 3/31/20 More Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) leaves and faded flowers, Durham, NC, 3/27/20 Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus), Durham, NC, 4/22/10 Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus), Durham, NC, 4/11/20 Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense).  Officially invasive. Durham, NC, 5/8/19.  One of two species in this area that really deserve to be called "invasive." Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) fruits, Durham, NC, 9/29/19        

Broomrape (Orobanchaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

    
Bear Corn, formerly known as Squawroot (Conopholis americana), Linn Cove Viaduct  (south end of Tanawha Trail), past blooming. Bear Corn, formerly known as Squawroot (Conopholis americana), Glassmine Gap, Macon County, NC, 5/28/13 Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis), Standing Indian Mountain, Clay County, NC, 5/27/13 Purple Owl's Clover (Castilleja exserta), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Florida Bluehearts (Buchnera floridana), Bailey Tract, Sanibel, Lee County, FL, 12/5/15 Spreading Yellow False Foxglove (Aureolaria patula), Durham, NC, 7/13/20 Downy Yellow False Foxglove (Aureolaria virginica), North Carolina Botanical Garden (woodland trail), Orange County, NC, 7/16/15    

 

Purple False Foxglove (Agalinis purpurea), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC  9/17/08.  Note the many tiny "hairs." Purple False Foxglove (Agalinis purpurea), Durham, NC, 9/21/19

Lopseed (Phrymaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

         
Sharpwing Monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus), Durham, NC, 7/14/19 Same Sharpwing Monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus), Durham, NC, 7/14/19 Sharpwing Monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus), Durham, NC, 7/26/20 Orange Bush Monkeyflowers (Diplacus aurantiacus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/29/17 Orange Bush Monkeyflowers (Diplacus aurantiacus), Lake Lagunitas, Marin County, CA, 5/7/15 Japanese Mazus (Mazus pumilus), Durham, NC, 4/13/11          

Plantain (Plantaginaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 5/31/22 Probably Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 5/31/22 Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis), Durham, NC, 4/6/21 Ivyleaf Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia), Durham, NC, 2/23/23 Ivyleaf Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia), Durham, NC, 2/21/18 Thymeleaf Speedwell (Veronica serpyllofolia), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, 4/10/24

 
Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), Durham, NC, 2/20/10 Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), Durham, NC, 2/14/20 Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, Wake County, 2/24/12 Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 1/29/13 Persian Speedwells (Veronica persica), Durham, NC, 3/15/10  

   
English Plantain  (Plantago lanceola), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/10/09 English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, NC, 5/31/19 Common Plantain (Plantago major), Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/10/09 Common Plantain (Plantago major), Durham, NC, 6/14/21 Common Axil Flower (Mecardonia acuminata), Durham, NC, 8/28/21 Common Axil Flower (Mecardonia acuminata), Durham, NC, 8/29/21 Coastal Waterhyssop (Bacopa monnieri), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 9/5/21 Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis), Sarasota, FL, 1/23/20    

   
Appalachian Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) buds, Tanawha Trail (Milepost 304), Avery County, NC, 8/17/15 Appalachian Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii), Tanawha Trail (Milepost 304), Avery County, NC, 8/3/12 Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, 6/24/18.  Copyright © 2020 Richard T. Burke Seems to be a struggling Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).  Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/12/09 Common Foxglove, West Point on the Eno, Durham, NC, 7/4/09.  Cultivated.    

Blue Toadflax (Linaria canadensis), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Common Toadflax or Butter and Eggs (Linaria vulgaris) at Lake Abbott, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford, VA, 7/9/09.  An introduced species. Moroccan Toadflax (Linaria maroccana), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/21/23 Eastern Gray Beardtongue (Penstemon canescens), Durham, NC, 5/30/23 Eastern Gray Beardtongue (Penstemon canescens), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/11/12 Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/09.  Looks like Multiflora Penstemon (Penstemon multiflora), but is outside that species' natural range, i.e., hardiness zones 8-10. Field of Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), same time and place, i.e., Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/09.  Their blooming time was about 2 weeks.

Phlox (Polemoniaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

     
Trailing Phlox (Phlox nivalis), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Eastern Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Meadow Phlox (Phlox maculata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 Meadow Phlox (Phlox maculata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/19 Drummond Phlox (Phlox Drummonii), Mustang Beach, Nueces County, TX, 2/20/14

Madder (Rubiaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

   
Tiny Bluets (Houstonia pusilla), Durham, NC, 3/17/22.  ID thanks to Harry LeGrand. Azure Bluets (Houstonia caerulea), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 4/16/22 Venus' Pride (Houstonia purpurea), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 5/20/09 Venus' Pride (Houstonia purpurea), North Carolina Botanical Garden (nature trail), Orange County, NC, 5/6/19 Same Venus' Pride (Houstonia purpurea), North Carolina Botanical Garden (nature trail), Orange County, NC, 5/6/19 Scarlet Jungleflame (Ixora coccinea), McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/18/19    

 
Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 4/22/20 Largeflower Mexican Clover (Richardia grandiflora), Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20 Tropical Mexican Clover (Richardia brasiliensis), Durham, NC, 10/24/20  

 
Stiff Marsh Bedstraw (Galium tinctorium),  Durham, NC, 4/21/20 Stiff Marsh Bedstraw (Galium tinctorium), Durham, NC, 6/11/20 Another Stiff Marsh Bedstraw (Galium tinctorium).  Note that one flower has three petals and the other, four. Durham, NC, 6/13/20 Stickywilly (Galium aparine), Durham, NC, 3/30/19 Stickywilly (Galium aparine), Durham, NC, 4/9/09 Wild Licorice (Galium circaezans), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, 5/10/23  

 
Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) blossoms, Third Fork Trail, Durham, NC, 6/6/11 Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) blossums, NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) flowers, among many, Durham, NC, 5/9/19 Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) fruit, the first in that area. Durham, NC, 5/9/19 Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) fruit, Durham, NC, 10/5/20 Blooming Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens), Congaree National Park, Richland County, 4/30/11 Virginia Buttonweed (Diodia virginiana), Durham, NC, 7/5/21 Virginia Buttonweed (Diodia virginiana), Durham, NC, 6/12/19 Rough Buttonweed (Diodella teres), Durham, NC, 8/9/20  

Nightshade (Solanaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

     
Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09 Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) flower with katydid nymph, Durham, NC, 6/11/09 Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) fruits, Durham, NC, 7/4/19 Climbing Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) flowers, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Climbing Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) flowers, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19.  An introduced plant. Climbing Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) fruits, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19 Eastern Black Nightshade (Solanum emulans) Eastern Black Nightshade (Solanum emulans), Durham, NC, 6/28/19      

Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family, Asteranae superorder

   
  Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens), McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19 Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria), Occoneechee Mountain Natural ARea, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Flat River Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 8/5/11  

Tetrachondraceae family, Asteranae superorder

         
Rustweed (Polypremum procumbens), Durham, NC, 7/9/23          

Verbenaceae family, Asteranae superorder

       
Lanceleaf Frogfruit (Phyla lanceolata), Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Desert Sand Verbena (Abronia villosa), Stinson Beach, Marin County, CA, 9/5/13 Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 10/6/19 White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/4/21   Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides), growing wild in a field in Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/18/19 Brushland Shrubverbena (Lantana achyranthifolia), McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/18/19 Trailing Lantana (Lantana monteviensis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/23/23

Caryophyllanae superorder

Stone Plant (Aizoaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

        
Ice Plant (Carpobrotus edulis) flower, Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/25/18. This is officially an invasive species, introduced from South Africa. Sea Fig or Ice Plant (Carpobrotus chilensis), San Anselmo, Marin County, CA, 4/29/17.  Officially "invasive." Shoreline Seapurslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) or Western Seapurslane (Sesuvium verrucosum), Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, Nueces County, TX, 2/7/13        

Amaranth (Amaranthaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

         
Annual Glasswort (Salicornia virginica), Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, New Hanover County, NC, 3/11/11.  Yes, these plants actually bloom, but this plant was not doing so.  Flowers are tiny and skinny.          

Cactus (Cactaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

       
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia genus), Duke Gardens, Durham County, NC, 6/12/09 Prickly Pears (Opuntia genus) with flowers, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 5/23/11  Cactus (Hylocereus genus) fruit.  Cacti in this genus produce the famous Night-blooming Cereus flower. Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19 Cactus (Hylocereus genus) fruit.  Cacti in this genus produce the famous Night-blooming Cereus flower, which is already withered here. McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19 Hylocereus genus fruit, same location and date. McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19        

Pinks (Caryophyllaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

       
Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), Durham, NC, 4/3/09, the most common weed in my neighborhood. Giant Chickweed (Stellaria pubera), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09. Beach Starwort (Stellaria littoralis), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Sticky Chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum), Durham, NC, 3/22/22 Chickweed (Cerastium genus), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/13/19.  It might be Nodding Chickweed (C. nutans), a native species (most likely), or possibly Sticky Chickweed (C. glomeratum), an introduced species. Sticky Chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 3/24/19.  Genus ID uncertain, but species certain if it is.        

Silvery Nailwort or Silverling (Paronychia agyrocoma), seen on ledge at the McAfee's Knob summit (Roanoke County, VA, 6/15/11), about 2 inches high. Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Common Soapwort or Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis), Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 8/20/18 Common Soapwort or Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21 Common Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 7/12/24 Sweet William (Dianthus caryophyllus), Durham,
NC, 4/9/09

 

Deptford Pink (Dianthus ameria), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09 Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/14/19 White Campion (Silene latifolia), Durham, NC, 5/21/22.  ID confirmed by Harry LeGrand. White Campion (Silene latifolia) flower, Durham, NC, 5/21/22 Common Catchfly (Silene gallica), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19. This is an introduced plant. Fire Pink (Silene virginica), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/18/19 Fire Pink (Silene virginica), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 6/27/14

Molluginaceae family, Caryophyllanae superorder

         
Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), Durham, NC, 8/27/19 Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), Durham, NC, 7/5/21          

Pokeweed (Phytolaccaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

         
Pokeweed (Phytolacca genus) flowers, Durham, NC, 5/27/09 Pokeweed berries, Durham, NC, 7/15/09          

Buckwheat (Polygonaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

     
Red Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) flowers, Durham, NC, 6/13/19 Fiddle Dock (Rumex pulcher), Durham, NC, 6/11/20 Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) fruits, Durham, NC, 5/23/19 Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) buds, Durham, NC, 4/27/20 Heartwing Sorrel (Rumex hastatulus), Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Dare County, NC, 5/10/09      

 

 
Spotted Ladysthumb (Persicaria maculosa), Durham, NC, 9/21/20 Spotted Ladysthumb (Persicaria maculosa), which has the identifying fringe of hairs at a joint between two petioles. Spotted Ladysthumb (Persicaria maculosa), Durham, NC, 11/16/18 Pennsylvania Smartweed (Persicaria pensylvanica), Durham, NC, 9/19/20  

 
Mild Waterpepper (Persicaria hydropiperoides), Durham, NC, 9/14/19 White Smartweed (Persicaria attenuata), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 9/18/19 Dotted Smartweed (Persicaria punctata), Durham, NC, 8/11/21 Pale Smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 9/18/19 Arrowleaf Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata), Durham, NC, 9/15/20 Arrowleaf Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata), Durham, NC, 10/5/20 Arrowleaf Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata), Durham, NC, 10/5/20 Arrowleaf Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata), Durham, NC, 10/5/20  

Jumpseed (Persicaria virginiana), Durham, NC, 8/14/21 Jumpseed (Persicaria virginiana) flowers, Durham, NC, 8/9/22

 
Coral Vine or Mexican Creeper (Antigonon leptopus), Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19  

Purslane (Portulacaceae) family, Caryophyllanae superorder

     
Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 3/16/22 Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Durham, NC, 3/2/22 Carolina Spring Beauties (Claytonia caroliniana), Durham, NC, 3/21/16 Anomalous Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 3/31/16 Candy Flower (Claytonia sibirica), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Paraguayan Purslane (Portulaca amilis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09.  An introduced plant, seen uncommonly here Paraguayan Purslane (Portulaca amilis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Paraguayan Purslane (Portulaca amilis), an introduced plant found in the Atlantic coast states from Virginia to Florida.  Durham, NC, 9/14/12      

Dillenianae superorder

Mustard (Brassicaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

     
Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata, Cardamine laciniata or Dentaria laciniata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/14/07.  This is one of the favorite plants of Falcate Orangetip butterflies. Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 3/24/11 Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), showing variation in leaf shape, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/23/11 Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) basal leaves, Durham, NC, 12/20/19 Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Durham, NC, 4/29/20      

 

Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica), Durham, NC, 3/18/20 Pennsylvania Bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica), Durham, NC, 3/18/20 Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Durham, NC, 2/18/22 Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Durham, NC, 1/20/21 Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), Durham, NC, 1/20/21 Bittercress (Cardamine genus), Durham, NC, 4/5/09.  ID unsure.

 

American Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula), Ocracoke Island (north end), 5/10/09 American Sea Rockets (Cakile edentula), with American Oystercatcher in the foreground, at the north end of Ocracoke Island, Hyde County, NC, 4/19/19 Wild Peppergrass or Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum), Durham, NC, 6/6/09 Wild Radish (Raphanus sativus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 5/30/19 Wild Radish (Raphanus sativus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 5/30/19

 

 
Field Mustard (Brassica rapa), Durham, NC, 3/11/12 Winter Cress (Barbarea verna), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Money Plant (Lunaria annua), Durham, NC, 6/7/18 Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), Swannanoa River Road, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC, 5/3/12.  An introduced plant, not considered invasive in NC. Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 5/30/22 Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23  

Clusiaceae family, Dillenianae superorder

Common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Boone Greenway Trail, Watauga County, NC, 7/2/10 Common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/18/19 Clasping-leaf St. John's Wort (Hypericum gymnanthum), with a wasp and flower fly, Durham, NC, 7/21/21 Clasping-leaf St. John's Wort (Hypericum gymnanthum), Durham, NC, 7/14/19 St. John's Wort (Hypericum genus), Durham, NC, 7/14/19 St. Andrew's Cross, Jordan Lake Gamelands, Chatham County, NC, 7/24/15 St. Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09

Diapensiaceae family, Dillenianae superorder

 
Beetleweed (Galax urceolata), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC  6/16/15 Another Beetleweed (Galax urceolata), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 6/16/19  

Sun Dew (Droseraceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 12/20/06.  This species depends on regular forest fires to survive; otherwise it doesn't get enough sunlight.  Note the sandspur.

Heath (Ericaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

     
Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 Catawba Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/9/21 Great Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/18/19 Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), (Rhododendron minus), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), Macon County, NC  8/9/05.  This view of a flower shows that it has the normal reproductive organs, in contrast to widespread belief that it is not actually a plant, but a fungus.  This plant produces no chlorophyll, obtaining its nutrients from the soil. Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09      

 

       
Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), Wind Rock, Giles County, VA, 6/16/11 Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Pinxter Flower (Rhododendron periclymenoides), Oconoeechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/14/11, appeared deep in the woods. Pinxter Flower or Pink Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides), Museum of Life and Science, Durham, NC, 4/23/09 Pinxter Flower (Rhododendron periclymenoides),Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 4/24/10        


         
Blueberry (Vaccinium genus) flowers, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC 4/10/09 Narrowleaf Blueberry flowers (Vaccinium tenellum), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24 Narrowleaf Blueberry flowers (Vaccinium tenellum), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24 Narrowleaf Blueberry flower buds (Vaccinium tenellum) opening, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24 Narrowleaf Blueberry flowers (Vaccinium tenellum), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24 Narrowleaf Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum), Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, NC, 4/13/21 Narrowleaf Blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum) flowers and buds, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, NC, 3/18/22.  ID thanks to Harry LeGrand. Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) flowers, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24          

 
Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum),  Eno River State Park, Bobbitt's Hole Trail, Orange County, NC, 4/24/10 Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum), Durham, NC, 5/1/19 Fetterbush, Mountain Andromeda or Lily-of-the-Valley shrub (Lyonia lucida), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 4/11/10 Fetterbush Lyonia (Lyonia lucida), with larger flowers (~10 mm long).  These were very common in this park.  

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/21/10 Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/18/13 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata) with buds, Durham, NC, 5/23/09.  Used to considered an Ericaceae family member. Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), in full bloom, 5/31/09 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), Durham, NC, 6/1/09 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), Durham, NC, 6/2/09 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), Durham, NC, 6/3/09 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), Durham, NC,  6/15/09

Mallow (Malvaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

 
Caliche Globemallow (Sphaeralcea laxa), Port Aransas, Nueces County, TX, 2/21/14. Bristly Mallow (Modiola caroliniana), Durham, NC, 4/22/19 Bristly Mallow (Modiola caroliniana), Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09 Bristly Mallow (Modiola caroliniana), in a wild section off the parking lot, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/9/10 Desert Five Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 6/3/19 American Basswood (Tilia americana), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/19/17  

 

Rose Mallow or Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala), San Antonio Botanical Garden, Bexar County, TX, 5/27/10 Rose Mallow or Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala), National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo County, NC, 12/9/22.  Definitely not planted! Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 9/18/19 Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), one of hundreds blooming at the Flat River Impoundment, Durham, NC, 7/17/11 Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Scarlet Rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus) at pond edge, Durham, NC, 9/20/24 Checker Mallow (Sidalcea malviflora), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19

Primrose (Primulaceae family), Dillenianae superorder

 
Whorled Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia), War Spur Loop, Giles County, VA, 6/16/11 Four-flower Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadriflora), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/27/14 Flaxleaf Pimpernel (Lysimachia monelli), Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, Nueces County, TX 2/21/14.  This species was introduced from the Mediterranean area. Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/28/17 Brookweed (Samolus parviflorus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/29/21  

Willow (Salicaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

       
Willow catkin (Salix genus), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09.  Note the fly at the base of the catkin. Black Willow (Salix nigra) male catkins, Durham, NC, 3/31/20 Black Willow (Salix nigra), gone to seed, Fort Myers, Lee County, FL, 2/21/19 Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) catkins and leaves, Durham, NC, 3/24/10. An introduced species, from China        

Pitcher Plant (Sarraceniaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

       
Yellow Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia flava), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Whitetop Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia leucophylla), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09. Part of exhibit.        

Violet (Violaceae) family, Dillenianae superorder

     
  Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia sororia), Durham, NC, 2/25/20 Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia sororia), Durham, NC, 3/10/24   Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia sororia), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, 3/12/24 Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia), Durham, NC, 3/4/24 Common Blue Violet Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana), Durham, NC, 3/10/24. Actually, it seems transitional to Viola sororia sororia). Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana), Durham, NC, 3/10/11   Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana) variation, Durham, NC, 4/12/18 Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia sororia), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 3/30/18 Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia sororia) and Confederate Violets (Viola sororia priceana), Montreat, Buncombe County, NC, 4/28/14

 

Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), North Carolina Museum of Art, 2/24/12 Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09.  Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 3/30/10 Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Durham, NC, 3/12/09 Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 3/24/19 Another Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 3/24/19 European Field Pansy (Viola arvensis), Durham, NC, 4/22/20.  ID thanks to Janie Harmon Owens.  An introduced plant. Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/4/09 Halberd-leaved (Yellow) Violet (Viola hastata).  Seen at the same elevation as the lake (about 1200 feet) at Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 4/12/10.

 

 
Birdsfoot Violets (Viola pedata), Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Moore County, NC, 4/6/18 Wood Violet (Viola palmata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/22/09 Violet, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/09 Canada Violet or Canadian White Violet (Viola canadensis), Appalachian Trail, leading to Siler's Bald, Swain County, NC, 5/30/13 Striped Cream Violet (Viola striata), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/09  

Saxifraganae superorder

Witch-hazel (Hamamelidaceae) family, Saxifraganae superorder

 
Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Durham, NC, 11/16/08 (left), 4/14/09 (middle) and 4/02/09 (right)    


         
Mountain Witch Alder (Fothergilla major), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Mountain Witch Alder (Fothergilla major), Montreat, Buncombe County, NC, 4/29/14 Early Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) flower, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 2/2/11 American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 12/1/21          

Saxifrage (Saxifragaceae) family, Saxifraganae superorder

Early Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 3/19/09.  Mottled leaf is part of a Trout Lily.  ID thanks to Joan Carr of South Williamson,  Kentucky. Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), Duke Gardens, 4/6/09 Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09

Magnolianae superorder

Aristolochiaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

         
Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia), Durham, NC, 3/30/22 Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) flowers, Durham, NC, 5/16/20 Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) flowers, Durham, NC, 5/2/20 Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) flower bud and some leaves, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/22/19 Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) leaves, apparently injured by recent harsh weather, same location and date Little Brown Jug flower (Hexastylis arifolia), Durham, NC, 4/20/20 Leaf of same Little Brown Jug Little Brown Jug (Hexastylis arifolia) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/23/21 Dwarf-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, 4/12/23          

Berberidaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

Blooming Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa), Standing Indian Mountain, Clay County, 5/27/13 Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) flowers and leaves, Tanawha Trail, off the Blue Ridge Ridge Parkway, Mile 302, 5/31/22 Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) berries, Tanawha Trail, off the Blue Ridge Ridge Parkway, Mile 302, 8/5/08 Umbrella-leaf (Diphylleia cymosa), berries and leaf, Linn Cove Viaduct Access Trail, Avery County, NC, 7/1/10 Mayapple (Podophyllum pentatum), Durham, 4/20/06.  Photo by Karl D. Gottschalk Mayapple, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/22/09 Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica), Durham, NC, 6/3/09 Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) berries, Sandhills Horticultural Garden, Pinehurst, Moore County, NC, 11/28/09

Cabombaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

         
Watershield (Brasenia schreberi), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 6/27/11          


Calycanthaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

         
Eastern Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), Swannanoa Trail, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC, 4/28/14          

Fumariaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

       
Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/5/06 Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/4/09 Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia), seen at about 3700 feet in elevation on Sharp Top Mountain in the Peaks of Otter Recreational Area (National Parks Service), Bedford County, VA on 7/10/09.  About 20 plants were seen in close proximity near amedium rain forest. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Yellow Fumewort (Corydalis flavula), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 3/30/10        

Lardizabalaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

     
Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata).  A vine with five leaves coming from one stem.  These are young leaves.  Durham, NC, 3/24/09.  It is an introduced species from Japan.  ID thanks to Will Cook.   USDA info on Chocolate Vine.      

Lauraceae family, Magnolianae superorder

         
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Durham, NC, 3/23/16 Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) flowers, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/20/10          

Magnoliaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

     
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Durham, NC, 5/17/06.  These flowers are usually not seen until they fall from these tall trees. Southern Magnolia or Bull Bay (Magnolia grandiflora), Durham, NC, 5/16/09 Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Durham, NC, 5/10/10.  Photo by Peter C. Charles. Flower fly (maybe Helophilus fasciatus), a on Southern Magnolia petal, Durham, NC, 5/28/16      

Nelumbonaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

         
American Lotus flower (Nelumbo lutea), Estuarium, Washington, Beaufort County, NC, 7/13/18          

Papaveraceae family, Magnolianae superorder

       
Blindeyes (Papaver dubium), Durham, NC, 5/4/20 Blindeyes (Papaver dubium), Durham, NC, 4/23/09 White Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora) with 3 beetles and 5 tiny bees. Riverside Nature Center, Kerrville, Kerr County, TX, 5/27/10 Unfolding White Prickly Poppy: the whole process took place within seconds.  Also from Riverside Nature Center, Kerrville, Kerr County, TX, 5/27/10 California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19        

 

Bloodroot (Sanguin-aria canadensis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC,  3/14/07 More Bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC,  3/9/21 Bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 3/11/20 Bloodroots (Sanguinaria canadensis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 3/24/10.  Not part of any formal exhibit.  Photo by Karl D. Gottschalk.

Ranunculaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

     
Round Lobed Hepatica (Anemone americana), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/14/07.  Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 3/11/20 Lady-rue (Thalictrum clavatum), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 6/16/19 Mountain Meadow Rue (Thalictrum clavatum), Tanawha Trail, Avery County, NC, 5/31/22 Lesser Celandine or Fig Buttercup (Ficaria verna), Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 3/19/10.  This plant is officially invasive, and has been designated as a "noxious weed" because it is poisonous. Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis), Durham, NC, 2/19/21.  An introduced plant, in private garden.      

       
Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus), Nature Trail, adjoining the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, 4/10/24 Littleleaf Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus), Durham, NC, 3/30/22 Littleleaf Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus), Durham, NC, 4/21/21 Littleleaf Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus), Durham, NC, 4/21/20 Hispid Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus), Durham, NC, 3/5/21 Hispid Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus), Durham, NC, 4/14/18 Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/18/13        

       
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Tall Mountain Larkspur (Delphinium scaposum ), Lake Lagunitas, Marin County, CA, 5/7/15 Tall Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana), which has a very long stem with basal leaves.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09 Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) , Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/8/11  Note: thumbnail has been rotated 90°.        

         
Vasevine (Clematis viorna), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/19/10.  Note: thumbnail has been rotated 90°. View inside a Vasevine Flower (Clematis viorna), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/19/10 Swamp Leatherflower (Clematis crispa), River Park North, Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 7/28/17 Swamp Leatherflower (Clematis crispa), River Park North, Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 10/22/21 Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), Boone Gardens, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower seedheads (Clematis ternaflora) seedheads, Durham, NC, 10/23/20.  These are native to Asia and considered to be "globally invasive". White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) fruits,  Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 8/22/18          

Saururaceae family, Magnolianae superorder

       
Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus), Durham, NC, 6/1/09 Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus), Durham, NC, 6/18/10.  The sprays start out not drooping.        

Nymphaeanae superorder

Nymphaeaceae family, Nymphaeanae superorder

         
Spatterdock Lily (Nuphar lutea), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 American White Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/29/18          

Rosanae superorder

Aceraceae family, Rosanae superorder

         
Male Red Maple flowers, Third Fork Creek Trail, Durham, NC, 1/10/13 Red Maple (Acer rubrum) male flowers, Durham, NC, 2/26/09 Male Red Maple flowers, Durham, NC, 2/27/11 Female Red Maple flowers, Durham, NC, 3/2/11 Female Red Maple (Acer rubrum) flowers, with some producing fruit.  Durham, NC 3/24/10 Female Red Maple flowers, some with forming fruit.  Durham, NC, 3/28/10          

 
Southern Sugar Maple (Acer floridanum) flowers, Durham, NC, 3/22/22 Southern Sugar Maple (Acer floridanum) flowers, Durham, NC, 3/29/10 Box Elder (Acer negundo) female flowers, Durham, NC, 3/24/20 Box Elder (Acer negundo) male flowers, Durham, NC, 3/13/20 Box Elder (Acer negundo) male flowers, Durham, NC, 3/30/19 Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) seedpod, Durham, NC, 4/24/20 Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), Durham, NC, 3/24/22  

Anacardiaceae family, Rosanae superorder

     
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Durham, NC, 5/4/09 Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Ocracoke (Hammock Hills Nature Trail), Hyde County, NC  4/18/19 Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Durham, NC, 4/24/20      

Apiaceae family, Rosanae superorder

   
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Blooming Largeleaf Pennyworts (Hydrocotyle bonariensis), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/26/17 Manyflower Marsh-Pennywort (Hydrocotyle umbellata), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/24/23 Canada Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis), Durham, NC, 5/26/22 Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09.  Young flowers. Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09.  Mature flowers. Queen Anne's Lace buds, American Tobacco Trail (~Mile 5), Durham, NC, 6/24/10.  There was a severe drought in middle and late spring. Queen Anne's Lace flowers, up close.  The pink one is immature.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09. A tiny weevil is at left.    

         
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09, a very poisonous plant. Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Durham, NC, 6/9/19 Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 5/30/22 Same Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) Cowbane (Cicuta virosa), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 (Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Corte Madera Ecological Reserve, Marin County, CA, 6/2/19.  Officially (and obviously!) invasive, native to coastal Mediterranean areas.          

 
Creeping Eryngo (Eryngium prostratum), Pitt County Arboretum (near lake), Greenville, NC, 7/28/17 Creeping Eryngo (Eryngium prostratum), Durham, NC, 6/28/23 Creeping Eryngo  (Eryngium prostratum), Durham, NC, 11/15/20 Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Hairy-jointed Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium barbinode), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/12/23  

         
Southern Chervil (Chaerophyllum tainturieri), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/17/12 Stiff Marsh Bedstraw (Galium tinctorium), Durham, NC, 6/24/20          

Aquifoliaceae family, Rosanae superorder

       
American Holly (Ilex opaca), Durham, NC, 5/8/09 Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) flowers, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/30/21        

Araliaceae family, Rosanae superorder

           
Devil's Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa), a very thorny tree, Gulf Shores National Seashore Visitor Center, Ocean Springs, MS, 14/10 Beach Pennywort (Hydrocotyle genus, Araliaceae family) flowers, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, New hanover County, NC, 11/11/12            

Birch (Betulaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

Eastern Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

 
Eastern Hop-hornbeam fruits (once female catkins), Durham, NC, 6/8/09 Female catkin, Hop- Hornbeam, Durham, NC, 5/13/19 Female Hop-hornbeam catkin, developing, Durham, NC, 5/10/19

Female Eastern Hop-hornbeam catkin male catkin, lengthening. Durham, NC, 4/1/19

 Female Eastern Hop-hornbeam catkin, just emerging and still small and compact.  Durham, NC, 3/31/19 Part of a mature male Eastern Hop-hornbeam male catkin, Durham, NC, 4/3/11.  This structure gradually unfolds (lengthens, really), exposing the anthers. Eastern Hop-hornbeam male catkins in varying stages of maturing, exposing anthers, Durham, NC, 3/20/11.  (They are partially obscured by a blurred female catkin.) Part of an immature male Eastern Hop-hornbeam flower, Durham, NC, 3/24/10 Male Eastern Hophornbeam catkin, Durham, NC, 3/5/21  

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

American Hornbeam female catkin, Durham, NC, 3/18/20 American Hornbeam male catkin, Durham, NC, 3/5/20 American Hornbeam male and female catkins, Durham, NC, 3/18/20 American Hornbeam male catkins, Durham, NC, 3/15/20 American Hornbeam flowers and bracts, Durham, NC, 4/26/20 American Hornbeam specialized leaves called an "involucral bract." Durham, NC, 7/1/19

River Birch (Betula nigra)

         
River Birch female catkin, Durham, NC, 4/26/20 River Birch (Betula nigra) female catkins, Durham, NC, 4/12/20 River Birch (Betula nigra) female and male catkins, Durham, NC, 4/12/20 Female catkin of River Birch (Betula nigra), Durham, NC, 4/1/20 Male catkin of River Birch (Betula nigra), Durham, NC, 4/1/20 River Birch (Betula nigra) female catkin, Durham, NC, 3/25/20 River Birch (Betula nigra) male catkin, Durham, NC, 3/25/20          

Celastraceae family, Rosanae superorder

   
Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) buds, Durham, NC, 4/15/21 Hearts-a-bustin (Euonymus americanus) bud unfolding, Durham, NC, 4/28/20 Hearts-a-Bustin' or American Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus), Durham, NC, 5/18/08 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus), Durham, NC, 5/6/09 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) beginning to develop fruit, Durham, NC, 6/9/21   Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) developing fruit, early, Durham, NC, 6/9/21 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) developing fruit, farther along,Durham, NC, 6/9/21 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) developing fruit, yet farther along, Durham, NC, 6/9/21 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) developing fruit, almost complete, Durham, NC, 6/9/21

 
Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) fruit, Durham, NC, 7/2/20 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) fruit, Durham, NC, 8/29/20 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) fruit, Durham, NC, 8/29/20 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) fruit, opened, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/25/18 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus) fruit/seeds, Durham, NC, 10/31/22  

         
Japanese Spindle Tree (Euonymus japonicus) fruits, Durham, NC, 11/6/20.  An introduced species. European Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/15/21.  An introduced species. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Durham, NC, 11/20/21.  An introduced species. Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) fruits, Durham, NC, 10/29/22          

         
Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), Coastal Plain Habitat Garden, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/29/15          

Rock-rose (Cistaceae) Family, Rosanae superorder

         
Cretan Rockrose (Cistus creticus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23          

Cleomaceae family, Rosanae superorder

Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/31/11.  Genus ID thanks to Laura Thomas.

Dogwoods (Cornaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

       
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/5/09 Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 7/20/22 Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/17/19. An introduced plant. Flower of the same Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

Stonecrops and Orpins (Crassulaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 4/24/10 Chandelier Plant (Kalanchoe delagoensis), Sarasota, FL, 1/21/20

Cucumber (Cucurbitaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Creeping Cucumber or Guadelupe Cucumber (Melothria pendula), Durham, NC, 8/8/19. Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula) leaves, flower, and fruit, Durham, NC, 7/4/20 Another Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula) flower and fruit, Durham, NC, 7/4/20 Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula) fruit and flower, Durham, NC, 7/8/20 Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/2/21          

Oleaster (Elaeagnaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Thorny Olive (Elaeagnus pungens), Durham, NC, 10/31/22.  This is an introduced species and invasive in some unspecified places.  In the U.S., it's only found in the Southeast.          

Elm (Ulmaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
American Elm (Ulmus americana), with maturing fruit.  Durham, NC, 3/24/10 American Elm flowers (Ulmus americana), Durham, NC, 3/18/19 Winged Elm (Ulmus alata) flowers, just starting to develop fruit.  Durham, NC, 3/24/10 Winged Elm (Ulmus alata) flowers and fruit. Sandy Creek Park, Durham, NC, 3/30/10          

Euphorbiaceae family, Rosanae superorder

 
Wild Poinsettia aka Fire-on-the-Mountain aka Mexican Fireplant (Euphorbia cyathophora), Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 9/27/10.  Wild Poinsettia aka Fire-on-the-Mountain aka Mexican Fireplant (Euphorbia heterophylla), Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland, FL, 9/21/10.  Copyright © 2010 Noela T. Martell Segura Woodland Spurge (Euphorbia obtusata), Durham, NC, 4/10/22 Woodland Spurge (Euphorbia obtusata), Durham, NC, 4/30/19.  Female flower is on left, male flower on right. Sun Spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/9/21 Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus).  It has stinging hairs.  Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 5/23/11 Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia maculata), Durham, NC, 8/29/20 Larger portion of the Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia maculata), Durham, NC, 8/29/20  

Fabaceae family, Rosanae superorder

   
Blue Wild Indigo or Prairie Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC,  5/6/06 Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 10/5/19 Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum) flower, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/18/06 Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 8/27/10 Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana), Falls Lake Dam, Wake County, NC, 9/11/10  Black Locust flowers (Robinia pseudoacacia), Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Bristly Locust flower (Robinia hispida), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Durham, NC, 3/29/09    

 

 
American Vetch (Vicia americana), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Another Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Common Vetch (Vicia sativa) Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 4/13/09.  

Wild Bush Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides), Fort Myers, Lee County, FL, 2/21/19 Large Yellow Vetch (probably Vicia grandiflora), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 4/13/09. Hyacinth Bean 'alba' (Lablab purpureus), Sarasota, FL, 1/23/20 Same Hyacinth Bean 'Alba' (Lablab purpureus), Sarasota, FL, 1/23/20 Lentil Vetch (Vicia tetrasperma), Durham, NC, 4/25/19.  It is an introduced species. Another Lentil Vetch (Vicia tetrasperma), Camden County, NC (just north of Elizabeth City), 4/29/07 Carolina Vetch (Vicia caroliniana), Lake Crabtree County park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Birdvetch or Cowvetch (Vicia cracca), Camden County, NC, 4/27/09 (near downtown Elizabeth City)

   
Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius), on Cedar Creek Nature Trail, Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County, VA, 7/8/09 Tall Tick-trefoil (Desmodium glabellum), Durham, NC, 9/12/22 Panicled Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum), part of coastal plain exhibit, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/13/19 Smooth Milkpea (Galactia volubilis), Airlie Gardens, Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC, 8/5/09 Smooth Milkpea (Galactia volubilis), Durham, NC, 9/6/19 Smooth Milkpea (Galactia volubilis) Durham, NC, 9/6/19 Pink Fuzzybean (Strophostyles umbellata) flowers, with the different flower colors (due to age) characteristic of this species.  Durham, NC, 8/25/21 Trailing Fuzzybean (Strophostyles helvola), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/22    

 
American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Dense Flowered Platycarpos (Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Broadleaf Lupine (Lupinus latfolius), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23 Pea family plant: very common, might be Summer Lupine (Lupinus formosus), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 6/1/19  

       
Birdfoot Trefoil or Birdfoot Deer-vetch (Lotus corniculatus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Another Birdfoot Trefoil, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/10/09 Silktree (Albizia julibrissin), Durham, NC, 6/8/09.  This is an introduced species. Littleleaf Sensitive-Briar (Mimosa microphylla), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 7/17/09 Littleleaf Sensitive-Briar (Mimosa microphylla), McAllen, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/18/19 Nutall's Sensitive Briar (Mimosa nuttalli), Sarasota, FL, 2/19/23 Stickpea or Red Powder Puff Tree (Calliandra haematomma), Sarasota, FL, 1/20/20        

 
Poisonbean or Rattlebox (Sesbania drummondii), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/13 The USDA calls this a "rattlebox" (Sesbania punicea). It's a kind of locust tree, a member of the pea family (Fabaceae) and is native to South America.  It's considered to be invasive and a noxious weed in Florida and California, but North Carolina's chilly winters keep it in check. Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/21/17 Pride of Brazil (Tipuana tipu), McAllen, Hidalgo County, NC, 12/8/22.  An introduced plant.  

 

       
Small-headed Clover (Trifolium microcephalum), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Rabbit's Foot Clover (Trifolium arvense), Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 5/22/15 Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) blossom, like all clover blossoms, a composite of typical legume family (Fabaceae) flowers.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/27/11 Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Southern Village, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 5/7/09 Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum), North Carolina Museum of Art nature trail, 4/23/09        

 

Low Hop Clover (Trifolium campestre), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/1/09 White clover (Trifolium repens, var. repens), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09

 

 
Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Durham, NC, 8/12/20 Sericea Lespedeza  or Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Durham, NC, 8/2/10.  An introduced plant which is listed as a "noxious weed" in 46 states. Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). Durham, NC, 8/23/19 Sericea lespedeza or Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09. Lespedeza genus flowers, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/1/09 Lespedeza genus, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/1/09 Crown Vetch (Securigera varia), an introduced plant, Boone Greenway, Watauga County, NC, 7/7/11 Showy Rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), Greenville, NC, 11/10/10 Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), Port Aransas Nature Preserve East, Nueces County, TX  2/25/14  

         
Showy Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC,  7/26/09 Wild Sensitive Plant (Chamaecrista nictitans), Durham, NC, 8/25/19 Most likely Huisache or Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana or A. smallii), National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo, TX, 12/18/22 Kudzu (Pueraria montana) infloresence, the only one seen Kudzu flower (Pueraria montana), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Hog Peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 8/23/09          

Another Thicket Bean or Sandhills Bean (Phaseolus polystachios var. sinuatus), Springers Point Nature Preserve, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/30/21 Another Thicket Bean or Sandhills Bean (Phaseolus polystachios var. sinuatus), Springers Point Nature Preserve, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/30/21 Thicket Bean (Phaseolus polystachios var. sinuatus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/22/18

 
Naked Tick Trefoil (Desmodium nudiflorum) flowers, seen on the woodland trail (not part of the official exhibit) at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 6/27/11 American Groundnut (Apios americana), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/16/15 Creeping Indigo (Indigofera spicata), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/20/19. ID thanks to Su Kim! Rosary Pea or Crab's Eyes (Abrus precatorius), Sarasota, FL, 2/16/23. Extremely toxic!  

Beech (Fagaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

       
Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 12/4/12 Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica), Durham, NC, 4/2/20 White Oak (Quercus alba), Durham, NC, 4/15/09, fallen from tree Black Oak (Quercus velutina) leaves and buds, Durham, NC, 4/8/19        

Geraniaceae family, Rosanae superorder

 
Carolina Cranesbill (Geranium carolinianum) flower, Durham, NC, 4/9/09 Carolina Cranesbill (Geranium carolinianum) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/29/19 Carolina Cranesbill (Geranium carolinianum) seedheads, Durham, NC, 5/26/20. Illustrates the origin of the common name. Carolina Crane's-bill (Geranium caroliniana) seedheads. Seeds newly visible after their capsules have opened. Durham, NC, 6/5/23 Carolina Crane's-bill (Geranium caroliniana) seedheads. The seeds are now elevated. Durham, NC, 6/5/23 Wild Geranium or Spotted Geranium (Geranium maculatum) flower. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Cutleaf Geranium (Geranium dissectum), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23  

 
Dovefoot Geranium or Dovefoot Cranesbill (Geranium molle), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Dovefoot Geranium or Dovefoot Cranesbill (Geranium molle), Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 5/3/13 Dovesfoot Geranium (Geranium molle), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 1-1.25), Durham, NC, 3/30/23 Redstem Filaree (Erodium cicutarium), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19 Musk Filaree (Erodium moschatum), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 4/22/23  

Hydrangeceae family, Rosanae superorder

         
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Durham, NC, 5/19/19          

Horse Chestnut (Hippocastanaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

     
Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09 Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Hybrid of Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) and Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 4/7/21.  This species sometimes hybridizes with the Red Buckeye.      

Walnut (Juglandaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

       
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra), Durham, NC, 4/20/09        

Flax (Linaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

Texas Flax (Linum hudsonioides), Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, Nueces County, TX 2/21/14

Loosestrife (Lythraceae) family, Rosanae superorder

 
Swamp Loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus), Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort County, NC, 7/13/18 Valley Redstem or Scarlet Tooth-cap (Ammannia coccinea): flowers, fruit and buds, Jordan Lake gameland, Chatham County, NC, 10/15/11 Blooming Valley Redstem or Scarlet Tooth-cap (Ammannia coccinea): flowers, fruit and buds, Jordan Lake gameland, Chatham County, NC, 10/28/17 A small Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/19.  An introduced plant (from India) Another small Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Gulfport, Harrison County, MS, 10/17/19.  An introduced plant (from India)  

Meadow Beauties and Others (Melastomataceae) family, Rosanae superorder

       
Maryland Meadow Beauty (Rhexia mariana), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/26/09 Virginia Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09        

Fig (Moraceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) fruits, Ringling Art Museum grounds, Sarasota, FL, 1/26/17. Introduced from India. Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) fruits, Ringling Art Museum, Sarasota, FL, 1/21/20          

Myrtles (Myricaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), with catkins, Durham, NC, 4/2/22          

Evening Primrose (Onagraceae) family, Rosanae superorder

     
Beach Suncup (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia), Abbott's Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, NC, 5/1/17 Common EVening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/6/19 Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/11/12 Cutleaf Evening Primrose (Oenoethera laciniata), Ocracoke, 5/11/09.  Taken at 8:24 am, DST. Beach Evening Primrose (Oenotheria drummondii), Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County, TX, 2/22/14       

 
Showy Primrose or Pinklady (Oenothera speciosa), Durham, NC, 6/1/11 Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia, Onagraceae family), Durham, NC, 6/26/09 Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) flower, Durham, NC, 8/2/22 Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) seedhead, Durham, NC, 8/2/22 Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia) seedhead, Durham, NC, 8/2/22 Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 6/3/19  

Wood Sorrel (Oxalidaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

   
Common Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Durham, NC, 5/9/23 Southern Wood-sorrel (Oxalis dilenii), Durham, NC, 5/2/23 Pink Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis articulata), South Tar River Greenway, Greenville, Pitt County, NC, 1/6/19.  This is an introduced species. Pink Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis articulata), Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Pink Wood-sorrel, Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 4/26/21 Pink Wood-sorrel (Oxalis articulata) in Swan Quarter, Hyde County, NC, 4/25/21      

Violet Wood-sorrel (Oxalis violacea), Durham, NC, 5/8/21 Violet Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis violacea), Eno River State Park (Cole Mill Rd.), Durham/Orange County, NC 4/14/16 Violet Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis violacea), Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 4/27/19 Violet Wood-sorrell (Oxalis violacea), Durham, NC, 4/23/21

Passion Flower (Passifloraceae) family, Rosanae superorder

Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), one of about 10 at the Flat River Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 8/15/10 Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Fort Macon State Park, Carteret County, NC, 7/21/08.  These are the preferred larval plants of Zebra Heliconian butterflies. Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), coastal South Carolina.  Photo taken by David L. Green, who describes beekeeping at his website, https://www.pollinator.com Stinking Passionflower (Passiflora foetida), McAllen Nature Center, Hidalgo County, TX, 11/14/19

 
Eastern Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea) bloom, Durham, NC, 8/20/22 Eastern Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea) vine, Durham, NC, 8/20/22 Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea) vine, Durham, NC, 8/22/20 Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea) vine, Durham, NC, 5/9/21.  Probably offspring of the plant on the left.  

Passion Vine (Passiflora incarnata) with opening flower.  One of a few remaining after a large field was mowed.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/3/09

Milkwort (Polygalaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Maryland Milkwort (Polygala mariana), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 10/29/09 Showy Milkwort (Polygala grandiflora), South Lido Park, Sarasota, FL, 4/1/12          

Buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

       
Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Hairy Ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus), Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19        

Rose (Rosaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

 
Sulfur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), Durham, NC, 4/8/09 Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), Nature Trail, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/10/23 Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), Durham, NC, 4/25/19 Indian Strawberry or Mock Strawberry (Potentilla indica) flower, Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Mock Strawberry or Indian Strawberry (Potentilla indica) fruit, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange Bounty, NC, 5/11/12

 

     
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/12/09 Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 0-1.25), Durham, NC, 3/30/23 American Plum (Prunus americana) flowers, Durham, NC, 3/27/19 Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/30/21.  ID thanks to Joshua Giordano-Silliman and Tim Dekle. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09      

Elmleaf Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius), Larkspur, Marin County, CA, 5/30/19 Dotted Hawthorn (Crataegus punctata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 5/30/22 Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) flowers, Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 3/21/24

Sawtooth Blackberry (Rubus argutus), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 White Avens (Geum canadense), Durham, NC, 5/14/21 Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), Montreat, Buncombe County, NC, 4/29/14 Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus), with flower. Mt. Jefferson State Park, Ashe County, NC, 8/13/09 Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus), with fruit. Mt. Jefferson State Park, Ashe County, NC, 8/13/09 Grayleaf Raspberry (Rubus idaeus, subspecies strigosus) fruit, Abbott's Lagoon, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, CA, 5/31/19

 
Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris), appeared in Siler's Bog in the Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09 Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris), Flat River Impoundment, Durham County, NC, 6/3/11.  Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris), Durham, NC, 6/7/20 Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris), Durham, NC, 5/31/24 Bowman's Root or Mountain Indian-physic (Gillenia trifoliata), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 6/6/17 Red Tip or Fraser's Photinia (Photinia x fraseri), Durham, NC, 4/25/19.  Not a true wildflower, but a cultivar. Japanese Meadowsweet (Spiraea japonica), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 6/15/15.  An introduced species.  

 

Rose Spirea (Spiraea douglasii), rural Oregon, 7/29/19. Copyright © 2019 by Rob Patterson Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/19 Swamp Agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora), Durham, NC, 8/23/19 Swamp Agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora), Durham, NC, 8/29/21 Swamp Agrimony (Agrimonia parviflora), Durham, NC, 8/25/19

Soapberry (Sapindaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

 
Balloonvine (Cardiospermum halicacabum), Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC, 9/26/14.  

Bladdernut (Staphyleaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
American Bladdernut ( Staphylea trifolia) fruits, Durham, NC, 7/20/20.  ID thanks to Christa Ruehs, who recognized the European species. American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) flowers, Durham, NC, 4/10/21          

Nasturtium (Tropaeoleaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), Stinson Beach, Marin County, CA, 9/5/13. An introduced plant, naturalized in this location.

Nettles (Urticaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

         
Smallspike False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), Durham, NC, 9/22/19.  ID thanks to Su Kim. Close-up of same Smallspike False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), Durham, NC, 9/22/19          

         
Smallspike False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), Durham, NC, 8/14/20 Flowers of a Smallspike False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), Durham, NC, 8/14/20          

Grape (Vitaceae) family, Rosanae superorder

     
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) flowers and buds, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 Scuppernong grape (Vitis rotundifolia) flowers, Durham, NC, 6/8/09 Green Scuppernong (Vitis rotundifolia) fruit, Durham, NC, 7/6/09.  A variety of muscadine grape. Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) fruit, Durham, NC, 7/26/09, not Scuppernongs. Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) fruit, Durham, NC, 8/21/10 Ripe muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia). American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/1/09.  Not Scuppernongs.      


Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), an introduced plant, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09.  The leaves have a markedly different shape from the round-leaved Vitis genus members. This is listed as invasive in 12 states, but not in North Carolina: National Park Service's Porcelainberry Page.

Santalanae superorder

Mistletoe (Santalaceae) family, Santalanae superorder

 
Eastern Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), the only mistletoe species found in North Carolina. Seen in Washington, Beaufort County, NC, 3/11/12. Eastern Mistletoe fruits (Phoradendron leucarpum), Durham, NC, 11/18/21  

 

Copyright © 2005-2023  Dorothy E. Pugh.  All rights reserved.

References

Biota of North America Program (2013) North American Vascular Flora. Retrieved 25 Apr 2023 from http://www.bonap.org/

Bowers N, Bowers R and Tekiela S (2008) Wildflowers of the Carolinas. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications

Cotterman L, Waitt D, and Weakley (2019) Wildflowers of the Atlantic Southeast. Portland, OR:Timber Press

Horn D, Cathcart T, Hemmerly TE, and Duhl D (2005) Auburn, WA:Lone Pine Publishing

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (https://www.itis.gov)

Justice W. Bell CR and Lindsey AH (2005) Wild Flowers of North Carolina, 2nd ed.  Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.

LeGrand, H., B. Sorrie, and T. Howard. 2022. Vascular Plants of North Carolina [Internet]. Raleigh (NC): North Carolina Biodiversity Project and North Carolina State Parks. Available from https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/index.php

Newcomb L (1977) Newcomb's Wildflower Guide.  NY:Little, Brown & Co.

Haines E (2012) Real-time Rendering: Wildflower Identification https://www.realtimerendering.com/flowers/flowers.html

Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota.  https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/

Munz PA, eds. Lake D and Faber PM (2004) Introduction to California Wildflowers. Berkeley and Los Angeles:University of California Press

Peacock, C (2017) Ivyleaf Speedwell.  Retrieved 7 Mar 2021 from https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/ivyleaf-speedwell

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden (2019) The Plant List. Retrieved 8 July 2019 from https://www.theplantlist.org/

Tennessee Invasive Plant Council (2019) Allium Vineale.  Retrieved 4 Jul 2019 at https://www.tnipc.org/invasive-plants/plant-details/?id=16

USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 25 June 2019). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture/Research & Extension (2019) Weeds of Arkansas.  Retrieved 7 Jul 2019 from https://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/MP169.pdf