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Sherardia arvensis – Blue Field Madder
In Part Two of The Natural Gardens of North Carolina, B. W. Wells discusses the Madder Family (the Rubiaceae, pg 185). Sometimes called the Coffee Family, for its most famous member, it also includes the Cinchona Tree, whose bark is … Continue reading
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Tagged B W Wells, Bedstraws, Blue Field Madder, Galium sherardia, Galium sp., leaf whorls, Madders, Sherardia arvensis
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Fragrant Sumac and Spring Colors
It is usually a surprise to find Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) blooming in the early spring in the Piedmont of North Carolina. It is a relatively rare plant in the Falls Lake area and generally occurs in small, fragmented populations. … Continue reading
Early Spring Update – Mitchell Mill
The early spring Sandworts are starting to bloom at the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area. They are most likely Minuartia glabra (or Minuartia groenlandica var glabra). If so, their common name is Appalachian Stitchwort. The following photos show their opposite, … Continue reading
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Tagged Appalachian Stitchwort, Diamorpha smallii, Early Saxifrage, Elf Orpine, Floating Water Willow, Ludwigia peploides, Minuartia glabra, Minuartia groenlandica var glabra, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Parrot Feather, Rock Spike Moss, Sandwort, Saxifraga virginiensis, Selaginella rupestris
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Diamorpha smallii (Elf Orpine) in Late Winter
The granitic flatrocks of the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area are colorful on a late winter day, with red colonies of Diamorpha smallii scattered across a background of dark green mosses and light green lichens. The plants are currently in … Continue reading
Surprising Colors in Painted Buckeyes (Aesculus sylvatica)
Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is an understory shrub or small tree common to the bottomland forests of the Falls Lake area. It is one of the earliest trees to leaf out in the spring, and its large, green, palmate leaves … Continue reading
The Dimpled Trout Lily – Erythronium umbilicatum
Trout Lilies are among the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the spring. Hugh Nourse and I found this Dimpled Trout Lily on a late afternoon walk on the Yellow Trail at Rockcliff Farm on Feb. 18th. Although we saw many … Continue reading
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Tagged Dimpled Trout Lily, early spring wildflowers, Erythronium umbilicatum
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Symplocos tinctoria (Sweetleaf) on the Zeagle’s Rock Trail
Symplocos tinctoria (Sweetleaf, Horsesugar) is a large semi-evergreen shrub that is rare in the Piedmont of North Carolina, but common on the Coastal Plain. It occurs occasionally in the Falls Lake area and at Rockcliff Farm. Small numbers can be … Continue reading
Helianthus porteri in Alexander County with Notes on Protected Status
Rocky Face Mountain is a low elevation granitic dome lying in the upper Piedmont region of Alexander County, North Carolina. Helianthus porteri (Porter’s Sunflower) is found here in great abundance, its late fall golden yellow blooms dominating the flora of … Continue reading
White Baneberry at B. W. Wells
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is one of the rarest plants found in the B. W. Wells State Recreation Area. It appears to be present in only one deep, heavily wooded valley. This valley runs parallel to an old roadbed that … Continue reading
Fall Wildflowers at Rockcliff Farm
A variety of wildflower seeds were planted this past weekend at the Rockcliff Farm trails and lakeside. A surprising number of wildflowers were still in bloom there and in the ditches alongside the road to the farm. Where the blue … Continue reading
