Antelope-Horn Milkweed (Asclepias viridis)

 

This wildflower is a member of the Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae).

A perennial herb 10-30" tall with greenish flowers 1" wide, purple center on erect stalks, 5 ascending or spreading corolla lobes. Bloom time May thru June. Look for this favorite plant of the white crab spider in prairies, barrens, and limestone glades. The plant is also known as a Spider Milkweed for the white crab spider who makes its home on the plant as it can be well camouflaged when on the flowers. The spider preys on insects that visit the flower clusters, and when the flowers are not in bloom, it can eat enough prey to increase its mass ten fold (from 40mg to 400 mg in two weeks).

Virginia Ground Cherry (Physalis virginiana)

 This wildflower is a member of the Solanaceae (Potato Family).

A perennial herb, 12-24" tall with a stem containing short hairs. The 0.75" wide yellow flower is bell shaped with brown spots in the center and droops. It has 5 shallow lobes and yellow anthers. Bloom time May thru August. Look for this flower in dry woods, fields, and clearings. The fruit is a red-orange and looks like a small tomato-like-berry surrounded by a papery husk. Native Americans ate the fully ripe fruit raw and used it in sauces. Extracts from this plant have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and an infusion of the entire plant has been used to treat dizziness.

Common Cattail, Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia)

 

This wildflower is a member of the Typhaceae (Cat-Tail Family).
 
A semi-aquatic perennial herb, 3-10 feet tall which forms dense stands. The flowers are tiny and numerous (thousands per plant). Found in shallow water of ponds, ditches and marshes (May thru winter). Almost every part of the cattail has a practical use: the peeled rhizomes can be cooked like a potato or dried and made into protein-rich flour. The young shoots are juicy with a nutty flavor. The base of the leaves can be eaten like an artichoke and the flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. The pollen can be used as flour without grinding or can be eaten with honey as a dessert. The leaves are not edible but can be woven into mats, seats and baskets. The fluffy white fruits have been used by hikers and campers as extra padding in shoes and as stuffing in pillows and sleeping bags.

Pink Wood Sorrel (Oxalis debilis var. corymbosa)

 This wildflower is a member of the Oxalidaceae (Wood Sorrel).
 
The low growing wood sorrels we know here are common within their range. Some of the low growing yellow flowered Wood Sorrels are common "weeds" of lawns and fields. The sour tasting leaves and pickle shaped seed pods may be eaten fresh but not in great amounts. The scientific name Oxalis comes from the Greek and means "sharp" and the common name "Sorrel" means "acidic" or "sour". Both refer to the taste of the plant. Medical Uses: Several writers have indicated that the plant could quench thirst and it has been touted for its ability to heal sores especially of the mouth, but old sores and "cancers" on the skin as well. It was also used to cool fevers and treat urinary problems. Warning! The plant contains oxalic acid which is toxic in very large doses.

Hoary Puccoon (Lithospermum canescens)

This wildflower is a member of the Boraginaceae (Borage Family).
Hoary (Hairy) puccoon’s clumps of leafy stems grow 6-18 in. tall. A hairy, grayish plant with terminal clusters of yellow-orange, tubular flowers; leaves and stems covered with fine soft hairs, giving plant a hoary look. The leaves are bright green, small and narrow, and, like the stems, are covered with silky hairs. Bright, yellow-orange flowers form dense clusters at the tips of the stems. The flowers are tubular and five-lobed.

Puccoon is an Algonquian word for a number of plants that yield dyes.

Bicknell's Cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii)

This wildflower is a member of the Geraniaceae (Geranium Family).

Geranium: from the Greek geranos, "crane," from the beak-like fruit.

bicknellii: for Eugene Pintard Bicknell (1859-1925), businessman and amateur botanist from New York.

Plant: erect, annual/biennial, up to 20" tall forb usually with many branches.

Flower: pink, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" wide, long-stalked; inflorescence a 2-flowered, stalked cluster; blooms May-Sept.

Leaf: pentagonal in outline; mostly palmately-divided into usually 5 parts, deeply cut almost to the base.

Habitat: full to partial sun; woods, fields.

Hare's Ear (Bupleurum rotundifolium)

This wildflower is a member of the Apiaceae ⁄ Umbelliferae (Carrot family).

Plant Type: This is a non-native herbaceous plant, it is a annual which can reach 60cm in height (24inches).

Leaves: The leaves are alternate. Each leaf is entire. All but the lower leaves are perfoliate. The edges and veins, which are parallel, are translucent.

Flowers: The flower parts are not discernable with the naked eye and are up to 0.2cm wide (0.1 inches). They are yellow. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into late spring. The flowers are in a compound umbel with seven to twelve flowers in each umble.

Habitat: Fields, borders and open woods. Range: Mainly from the Great Lakes south to Tennessee. Occurring elsewhere The species name rotundifolium and the common name Hare's Ear are in reference to the roundish, pointed leaves that stand upright. The young leaves of this plant are edible raw or cooked and are sometimes used as a pot-herb. they are also used as a spice. (Horn/Cathcart)

Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera)

 

 This wildflower is a member of the Rosaceae (Rose Family).

This beauty has 3 to 5 glossy, dark green leaves with finely toothed leaflets. The flowers are numerous, showy and rich pink with 5 sepals. Bloom time May thru June. Look for this plant in open woods, thickets, and clearings. The petals can be added raw to salads, beverages, and deserts. In the Middle East, the petals are made into jam and in China, they are used to flavor black tea.

For more information about this wildflower, Click Here.

Heal All (Prunella vulgaris)

 

This wildflower is a member of the Mint Family (Lamiaceae).

This gorgeous plant in the mint family is a perennial herb that can be 6-20" tall and often forms large colonies. The flowers are purplish or violet 0.4 - 0.6" long, 2 lipped with upper hood. Blooms May thru September in disturbed soil. This species had long been used for the treatment of many ailments, hence the name "Heal All or Selfheal". Research has indicated the presence of antibiotic, anti-tumor, and hypertensive compounds. If you find this plant, also view it from the top as it has a unique pattern.

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Slender-Flowered Beardtongue (Penstemon tenuiflorus)

 

 This wildflower is a member of the Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family).

This occasional flower can be found in dry woods, barrens, glade margins and limestone cedar glades. The flowering stem can be 16-32" tall, is hairy and the corolla from 0.8 to 1.2" long is distinctly 2-lipped, white with an almost closed lower lip. Bloom time May - June.

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Hairy Phlox (Phlox amoena)

 

This wildflower is a member of the Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family).

This fantastic plant can be 12" tall. The tubular flowers are red to purple with 5 lobes and are only 0.6-0.8" wide. Note the flower centers and how intricate they are. Bloom time April thru June in dry woods and fields.

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Southern Ragwort (Senecio anonymus)

This wildflower is a member of the Aster family (Asteraceae).

 If you look out into any field in Middle Tennessee and see a bunch of yellow flowers, more than likely, this is it. Southern Ragwort (Senecio anonymus) is also known as Appalachian Ragwort and was used by Native Americans to treat heart trouble and to prevent pregnancy. Caution should be used because this plant contains toxins that have been shown to increase blood pressure and cause uterine contractions and liver damage. Also, it may possibly contain cancer-causing compounds.

Lance-Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata L.)

The pretty golden flower is 3" wide and has long narrow leaves (up to 8 inches long). This plant can be found blooming in April thru June in the Western 2/3 of Tennessee. Look at the notched ray flowers. Found in dry, open, often sandy soils. Lance-Leaf Coreopsis is listed as "occasional" as they are found in only 11-31 counties of TN.

Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

Well, here is a two-fer! The wildflower is Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). Historically, infusions of the petals and leaves have been made into wine and medicine, and the dew collected from them was taken to promote longevity. The passenger is a Cicada, Brood XIX (Magicicada cassini/tredecassini). This is one of the species of 13/17 year Cicada. In Tennessee they are 13 year hense Brood XIX.

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia)

This wildflower is a member of the Primulaceae (Primrose Family)

Another flower from Cedars of Lebanon. This flower is also known as Pride of Ohio, American Cowslip, Cyclamen, Lamb's Noses, Mosquito Bells, Indian Chief and Rooster heads.

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Mountain Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)

This wildflower is a member of the Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Widow's Cross is a close relative to this plant. This one is totally white with black seeds. Some sedums, including Roseroot and Liver Forever, are edible. In these species, the leaves are edible raw and are tender and juicy, reported to have either a sour or acid taste. Yet another example from Cedars of Lebanon.

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Gattinger's Lobelia (Lobelia appendiculata)

Gattinger's Lobelia (Lobelia appendiculata) is named for the early Tennessee physician and botanist, Dr. Augustin Gattinger (1825-1903), who came to Tennessee during the Civil War. He played an important role in identifying cedar glades as botanically important areas. This picture was taken at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

Glade Phacelia (Phacelia dubia var. interior)

 This wildflower is a member of the Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

Glade Phacelia depends on seeds for yearly reproduction. Studies have shown that seeds can remain ungerminated, yet viable, for up to seven years before eventually germinating.

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Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). This is also called Coral Honeysuckle and Woodbine. Hummingbirds love the nectar and many birds seek out the seeds. Medicinally, the juice from the plant has been used to treat bee stings. One of many wildflowers blooming in Cedars of Lebanon State Park. More to follow!