Home Places to See Page

 Thumbnail Guide Bird Blog  Latest Photos NEW:  Cute Animal Babies 

Contact Us    

 Visit our online store

Field and Swamp: Animals and Their Habitats

        

A Virtual Wildflower Garden Across Time

This and its companion page, Wildflowers sorted by taxonomic classifications, present information that may help identify wildflowers.   On this page, flowers are sorted by date (day and month) within petal color.

Plants with flowers with no clearly dominant color are each placed in multiple categories.  Members of the same species seen on different dates will still be sorted by date. 

These Latin names were checked against the Integrated Taxonomic Information System for validity.

White    Yellow    Orange or Yellow-orange   Red   Pink or Purplish-pink    Purple or Blue    Green    Black

White Flowers

         
Common Chickweed, Durham, NC, 3/1/10  Rockcress, probably Arabis genus, Durham, NC,  3/1/10 Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 3/6/10 Violet (Viola genus), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09 Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09 Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/14/07.  This is one of the favorite plants of Falcate Orangetip butterflies. Bloodroot (Sanguin-aria canadensis, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC,  3/14/07 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.          

 

         
Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata).  A vine with five leaves coming from one stem.  These are young leaves.  Durham, NC, 3/24/09.  ID thanks to Will Cook, who says it's an "exotic species."  USDA info on Chocolate Vine.  This vine escaped from someone's backyard but might not be capable of making it through the winter. Blueberry (Vaccinium genus)flowers, Durham, NC, 3/28/09.  Rue Anemone (Thalictrom thalictoides), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09 Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), Durham, NC, 4/3/09, the most common weed in my neighborhood. White clover (Trifolium repens, var. repens), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Lyre-leaved Rock Cress (Arabis lyrata), Durham, NC, 4/5/09          

 

         
Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), 4/5/06 Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 4/5/09.  Blue object is a plastic marker. Large-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Giant Chickweed (Stellaria pubera), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09. Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), Duke Gardens, 4/6/09          

 

   
  Lily of the Valley (Convallaria ruscaceae), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Giant Chickweed (Stellaria pubera), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09. Possumhaw Virburnum (Viburnum nudum), Durham, NC, 4/8/09 Witch Alder (Fothergilla major), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Heartleaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Blueberry (Vaccinium genus) flowers, North Carolina Botanical Garden, 4/10/09 Common Cornsalad (Valerianella locusta), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/12/09 Vetch, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 4/13/09.  


 
Chokecherry (Prunus virginia), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Blackberry (Rubus genus), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Bedstraw or Stickywilly (Galium aparine), Durham, NC, 4/14/09 Violet, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/09 Mayapple (Podophyllum pentatum), Durham, 4/20/06.  Photo by Karl D. Gottschalk  


           
Atamasco Lily (Zethyranthes atamasco), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/20/07 Mayapple, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/22/09 Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus), Durham, NC, 4/22/10 Chive (Allium schoenoprasum), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 4/23/09 Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum), Eno River State Park, Orange County, NC, 4/24/10 Daisy Fleabane (Erigon strigosus), Durham, NC, 4/28/09 Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrhynchium genus), Durham, NC, 5/1/09            


     
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/1/09.  Introduced from China, Japan and/or Korea. American Holly, Durham, NC, 5/8/09 Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Durham, NC, 5/10/10.  Photo by Peter C. Charles. White-bracted Sedge or Whitetop Sedge or Sandswamp Whitetop (Rhynchospora latifolia), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium genus), with small flowers (~5 mm long), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 5/12/10 Fetterbush Lyonia (Lyonia lucida), with larger flowers (~10 mm long).  These were very common in this park.  Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 5/12/10      


         
Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Wild Onion, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 5/20/09 Milkweed, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 5/20/09          



       
    Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Haw River State Park, 5/31/08, with Zebra Longhorn Beetle Large Houstonia (Houstonia purpurea), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 5/20/09 Penstemon multiflorus, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/09.  Looks like Multiflora Penstemon (Penstemon multiflorus), but is outside that species' natural range, i.e., hardiness zones 8-10. Part of a huge field of what are apparently Multiflora Penstemon (Penstemon multiflorus).  Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/21/09. Their blooming time was about 2 weeks. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), (Rhododendron minus), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 White Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora) with 3 beetles and 5 tiny bees. Riverside Nature Center, Kerrville, Kerr County, TX, 5/27/10    

       
  Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09 Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Durham, NC, 5/27/09 Striped Wintergreen (Chimapila maculata), in full bloom, 5/31/09 Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus), Durham, NC, 6/1/09 Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica), Durham, NC, 6/3/09      



   
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), Durham, NC, 6/3/09.  The stalks are turning pink, but the flowers are still white. Dogbane or Indian Hemp (Apocynum cannabinum), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/6/10 Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Striped Wintergreen  (Chimapila maculata)with fruit, Durham, NC,  6/15/09 Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus), Durham, NC, 6/18/10    


         
Great Laurel (Rhododendron maximum), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 6/18/09 Tall Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Centaurea genus maybe, NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/21/10          



     
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Tall Thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana), which has a very long stem with basal leaves.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/24/09 Tall Thimbleweed leaf of flower on left. Common Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC (~Mile 5), 6/24/10 Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 6/25/09, a very poisonous plant, found in Siler's Bog.    


         
Blueberries (Vaccinium genus), Durham, NC, 6/26/09 Man-of-the-earth or Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata), a kind of morning glory.  American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 Sericea Lespedeza or Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09. Queen Anne's Lace flowers (close-up), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 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 Blueberries, just starting to turn ripe at about 2700 feet in elevation on Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09.          

           
Water Hemlock, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09.  About the same elevation as the Visitors Center (2550 feet). Ripe blueberries, Durham, NC, 7/15/09 Sweet Everlasting (Pseudoganafalium obtusifolium) flower close-up, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/16/09 Rattlesnake Master, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 7/17/09 Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), Boone Gardens, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 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.            


     
  Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Mt. Jefferson State Park, Ashe County, NC, 8/13/09  Sericea lespedeza or Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Wild Onion (Allium canadensis?), Durham, NC, 9/2/09 Pokeweed: still some blooming!  Durham, NC, 9/5/09    

         
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Durham, NC, 9/7/09 Pinkweed flowers (close-up), Durham, NC, 9/16/09.  Although the buds are pink, the flowers themselves are white with the slightest touch of pink. Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata), Durham, NC, 11/27/08.  The flowers are white. Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) berries, Sandhills Horticultural Garden, Pinehurst, Moore County, NC, 11/28/09          


Yellow Flowers
         
Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Durham, NC, 2/16/10 Hop Clover (Trifolium genus), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 3/9/10.  This is a composite of maybe ten typical pea family flowers. Willow blossom (Salix genus), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09.  These flowers lack petals and sepals.  Note the fly at the base of the blossom. Trout Lily (Erythonium americanum) 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.            

         
  Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Durham, NC, 3/27/09 Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), Durham, NC, 3/30/09 Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09 Indian Strawberry or Mock Strawberry(Duchesnea indica), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/4/09        


         
Common Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Durham, NC, 4/5/09 Winter cress (Barbarea verna), Durham, NC, 4/5/09 Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Carolina Buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09          
       

 
St. Anthony's Turnip (Ranunculus bulbosus), Durham, NC, 4/11/09.  A kind of buttercup. Halberd-leaved (Yellow) Violet (Viola hastata).  Seen at the same elevation as the lake (about 1200 feet), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 4/11/10 Dwarf Dandelion (Krigia genus), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/12/09 Winter Cress (Barbarea verna), American Tobacco Trail (Miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Hop Clover (Trifolium campestre?), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Green-and-gold, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/22/09 Hop Clover (Trifolium campestre?), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 5/1/09  

           
Hearts-a-bustin' or American Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus), Durham, NC, 5/6/09 Common Evening Primrose (Oenoethera biennis), Ocracoke, 5/11/09.  Taken at 8:24 am, DST. Birdfoot Trefoil or Birdfoot Deer-vetch (Lotus corniculatus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Hearts-a-Bustin' or American Strawberry Bush (Euonymus americanus), Durham, NC, 5/18/08 Sulfur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Sundrop or Evening Primrose (Oenothera genus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Small's Ragwort (Packera anonyma), Durham, NC, 5/20/09            


   
Hop Clover (Trifolium agrarium), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, 5/30/09 Common Goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09 Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Haw River State Park, 5/31/08, with Zebra Longhorn Beetle Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia genus), Duke Gardens, Durham County, NC, 6/12/09 St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum maybe), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09.  Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09    


             
Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia, Onagraceae family), Durham, NC, 6/26/09 Whorled Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), Durham, NC, 6/27/09 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), West Point on the Eno, Durham, NC, 7/4/09 Goldenrod (Solidago genus, Asteraceae family), with weevil and beetle, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 7/17/09 Partridge Pea (Chaemaecrista fasciculata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC,  7/26/09              


         
Bushy Sea Oxeye Daisy or Bushy Seaside Tansy (Borrichia frutescens), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens palida), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/4/08 Yellow-eyed Grass (Xyris fimbriata), Carolina Beach State Park, New Hanover County, NC, 8/4/09 Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09 St. Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09 Common Sneezeweed, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/09 Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09          


         
      Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Moses Cone  Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09.  This flower was alone. Common Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) flower, among buds, Geitner Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/29/09.  A typical mature Common Ragweed plant has thousands of flowers. Bearded Beggartick (Bidens aristosa), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 10/5/08 Hearts-a-bustin' fruit.  Flowers are generally yellow, green or pink.  Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, 9/24/09  


       
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), Durham, NC, 12/4/09 Common Dandelion, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 12/29/09.  A cold day.        

Orange or Yellowish Orange Flowers

           
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) male flowers, Durham, NC, 2/26/09 Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola cornuta), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Birdfoot Trefoil or Birdfoot Deer-vetch (Lotus corniculatus), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09            

 

 
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Durham, NC, 5/17/06.  These flowers are usually not seen until they fall from these tall trees. Orange Daylily or Tiger Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva), near Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09 Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/10/10 Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/13/09 Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09  

 

         
    Sunflower, with Honey Bee, Durham, NC, 8/1/08.  Photo by Karl D. Gottschalk. Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/5/08 Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), with tiny Tarnished Plant Bug, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/6/08 Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09 Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), seen near the Mt. Jefferson summit, Ashe County, NC, 8/13/09.  Red Morning Glory (Ipomoea coccinea), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09      


         
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.          

Red Flowers

         
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) male flowers, fallen out of a tree, Durham, NC, 3/6/10  Red Maple tree in full bloom, Durham, NC, 3/16/10 Winged Elm (Ulmus alata) flowers, just starting to develop fruit.  Durham, NC, 3/24/10 Red Maple (Acer rubrum) female flowers, with some producing fruit.  Durham, NC 3/24/10 Wake Robin (Trillium erectum), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Florida Azalea (Rhododendron austrinum), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09          

 

   
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata), Durham, NC, 4/17/10 Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum), North Carolina Museum of Art nature trail, 4/23/09 Poppy (Papaver dubium), Durham, NC, 4/23/09 Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata), Durham, NC, 5/4/09    

 

       
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonacera sempervirens), Eno River State Park, Orange County, 5/8/07 Hearts-a-bustin' (Euonymus americanus), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/9/10 Bristly Mallow (Modiola caroliniana), in a wild section off the parking lot, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/9/10 Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella),Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Fire Pink (Silene virginica), Haw River State Park, Rockingham County, 5/30/08        


         
Scarlet Bee-balm (Monarda didyma), Salem College, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, NC, 6/7/09 Bristly-mallow (Modiola caroliniana), Winston-Salem, NC, 6/7/09 Fire Pink (Silene virginica), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/19/10 Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/10/09 Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Kudzu flowers(Pueraria  montana), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09 Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Durham, NC, 9/1/08 Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), Carolina Beach, NC, 12/22/09          

Pink or Purplish-pink Flowers

             
Henbit, Durham, NC, 2/20/10 Red Maple (Acer rubrum) male blossoms, Durham, NC, 2/26/09 Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 3/9/10 Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), Fort Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 3/9/10 Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/11/09 Spring Beauties, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 3/18/10            

         
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Durham, 3/19/09.  This is a common plant with tiny flowers, one of the first flowers to appear, usually in late winter. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Durham, NC, 3/29/09 Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Durham, 4/3/09 Purple Dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum), Durham, NC, 4/3/09 Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia vrginica), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09.  See Virginia Bluebells USDA Page. Sweet William (Dianthus caryophyllus), Durham,
NC, 4/9/09		 Fringed Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09          

         
Bashful Wake Robin (Trillium catesbaei).  North Carolina Botanical Garden, 4/18/09. Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 4/22/09 Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca), Camden County, NC, 4/27/09 (near downtown Elizabeth City) Wild Roses (genus Rosa), Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, NC, 4/27/09 Pink Wood-sorrel (Oxalis violaceae), Pettigrew State Park, Washington County, NC, 4/28/09        

 

     
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), Southern Village, Chapel Hill, Orange County, NC, 5/7/09 Venus' Looking Glass, Pedmont Wildlife Center, Durham,
NC, 5/8/10 		Unidentified plant, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Dare County, NC, 5/10/09 Queen Anne's Lace or Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09.  Young (composite) flower. Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Bristly Locust flower (Robinia hispida), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 Carolina Rhododendron (Rhododendron minus), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08      

 

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), (Rhododendron minus), Hanging Rock State Park, Stokes County, NC, 5/22/08 Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium  acaule, Orchidaceae family), Falling Creek Camp, Tuxedo, Henderson County, NC, 5/23/03 Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC, 5/22/09 Rose Mallow (Pavonia lasiopetala), San Antonio Botanical Garden, Bexar County, TX, 5/26/10 Deptford Pink (Dianthus ameria), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 5/30/09


         
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. Smooth Coneflowers, members of a federally-listed (endangered) species, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/6/10 Silktree (Albizia julibrissin), Durham, NC, 6/8/09 Seems to be a struggling Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).  Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/12/09          

 

           
Wild Onion (Allium genus), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Occoneechee Mountain, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Leather Flower (Clematis viorna), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 6/19/10 New England Aster (Symphyatrichum novae-angliae), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Silktree (Albizia julibrissin) flower, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09            

 

               
Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius), on Cedar Creek Nature Trail, Natural Bridge, Rockbridge County, VA, 7/8/09   Deptford Pink flower (Dianthus ameria), in a meadow at Harkening Hill, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09   Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/9/09 Bleeding Heart or Turkey Corn (Dicentra eximia), Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford County, VA, 7/10/09.  Seen at about 3700 feet in elevation.  About 20 plants were seen in close proximity near a small rain forest. Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus), Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter Recreational Area, Bedford, VA, 7/10/09            

 

   
Sensitive Brier or Sensitive Plant (Mimosa microphylla), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 7/17/09 Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/26/09 Narrowleaf Rose Gentian or Rose Pink (Sabatia brachiata), Ft. Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/3/09 Wild Bean (Strophostyles umbellata), Airlie Gardens, Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC, 8/5/09.  Not part of regular exhibits. Rose Gentian or Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis), Ft. Fisher Recreational Area, New Hanover County, NC, 8/6/09 Ironweed (Vernonia altissima), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/9/09 Groundnut (Apios americana), Durham, NC, 8/11/08.  ID thanks to Janie Owens.    

 

           
Pinkweed (Polygonum pensylvaticum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/09 Garden Phlox (maybe Phlox paniculata), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/09 Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/11/09 New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus Odoratus), with flower, Daniel Boone Gardens, Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09            

 

       
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 Rose Gentians (Sabatia angularis), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Kudzu flower (Pueraria montana), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09.  Reputed to be an invasive weed, but not around here!  Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) flowers, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09 Lespedeza genus flowers, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/1/09      

 

             
  Obedient Plant (physostegia virginiana), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09 Ironweed flower (Vernonia novaboracensis)closeup, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09 Meadow Beauty (Rhexia genus), NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 9/6/09 Pinkweed (Polygonum pennsylvanicum), Durham, NC, 9/7/09 Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), American Robacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Kudzu (Pueraria lobata), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Purple False Foxglove, the fuzziest flower I know of!  Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 9/13/09            

 

     
  Pinkweed flowers, Durham, NC, 9/16/09.  Although the buds are pink, the flowers themselves are white with the slightest touch of pink. Purple False Foxglove (Agalinis purpurea), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC  9/17/08.  Note the many tiny "hairs." Salt-marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata), Goose Creek State Park, Washington County, NC, 9/21/08.  Also seen in rural Chatham County, NC. New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), 10/16/08 Sensitive Brier (Mimosa microphylla), Riverbend Park, Catawba County, NC, 9/24/09    

 

     
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Durham, NC, 11/14/09.  The temperature was in the 60s, and Tropical Storm Ida had just come through. Henbit, American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 12/29/09.  One of about 5 blooming henbit flowers in all on this cold day.      

Purple or Blue

         
Speedwell (Veronica genus), Durham, NC, 2/20/10 Little Periwinkle (Vinca minor), in the process of unfolding.  Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC,  3/6/10  Speedwell (Veronica persica), Durham, 3/10/09.  This is a very common plant with tiny flowers, appearing early in the year. Field Pansy (Viola bicolor), Durham, NC, 3/12/09 Round Lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americana), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/14/07.  Little Periwinkle (Vinca minor), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham County, NC, 3/19/09

 

         
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), Durham, 3/19/09.  Violet (Viola genus), Durham, NC, 3/29/09 Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 3/31/09 Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09.  See Virginia Bluebells USDA Page. Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola cornuta), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 4/6/09 Azure Bluet (Houstonia caerulia), Durham, NC, 4/7/09          

 

         
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Durham, NC, 4/8/09 Speedwell (Veronica pedunculata), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Eastern Blue Phlox, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Blue Toadflax (Linaria canadensis), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 4/12/09 Big Periwinkle (Vinca major), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Blue Toadflax (Linaria canadensis), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09          

 

       
Great Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).  Just off Lake Crabtree trail on southern side of lake.  Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrhynchium angustifolium), Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09 Violet, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 4/18/09.  A real maverick -- I may never get the species IDed! Violet (Viola brittoniana), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/22/09 Wild Blue Indigo, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 4/26/10 Wild Onion (Allium genus?), Durham, NC, 4/30/09        

 

           
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrhynchium angustifolium), Durham, NC, 5/1/09.  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 the Fringed Phacelia, which has fewer flowers per stem. Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrhynchium angustifolium), Piedmont Wildlife Center Trail, Durham, NC, 5/8/10 Fringed Phacelia, in the mountain garden section, NC Botanical Garden, 5/9/10 Phacelia bipinnatafida, in the mountain garden section, NC Botanical Garden, 5/9/10            


             
Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata), Durham, NC, 5/18/09 Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 5/19/09 Asian Dayflower (Commelina communis), Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, TX, 5/28/10 Wild Onion, Durham, NC,  6/6/09              

 

 
Blue-eyed Grass(Sisyrhynchium genus), Durham, NC, 6/6/09.  Both flower and fruit are shown here.  Helmetflower (Scutellaria integrifolia), Durham, NC, 6/6/09 Carolina Wild Petunia Smooth Coneflowers (Echinacea laevigata), members of a federally-listed (endangered) species, Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/6/10 Carolina Dayflower (Commelina caroliniana), Durham, NC, 6/10/10 Helmet Skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 6/10/10  


         
Katydid nymph on Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense) flower, Durham, NC, 6/11/09 Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/12/09 Stokes Aster (Stokesia laevis), Duke Gardens, Durham, NC, 6/12/09 Wild Onion (Allium genus), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09 Horse Nettle(Solanum carolinense), Occoneechee Mountain Natural Area, Orange County, NC, 6/13/09          

 

     
Wild Onion, NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Forget-me-nots (Myosotis genus), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia carolinensis), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Bergamot or Lavender Bee-balm (Monarda fistulosa), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Passion Vine with opening flower.  One of a few remaining after a large field was mowed.  Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/3/09 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      

 

       
    Virginia Spiderwort, NC Botanical Garden, 7/17/09 Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Fort Macon State Park, Carteret County, NC, 7/21/08.  These are the preferred larval plants of Zebra Heliconian butterflies. Carolina Dayflower (Commelina caroliniana), Durham, NC, 7/25/09 Meadow Beauty (Rhexia genus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 7/26/09 New York Ironweed (Vernonia novaboracensis), Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 7/30/09    

 

       
    Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana), Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09.  Thanks to Janie Owens for ID. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), Boone, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Spurred Butterfly Pea (Centrosema virginianum) flower, Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Orange County, NC, 8/18/06 Horse Nettle (Solanum carolinense), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 8/21/09 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 Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis), Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, Durham, NC, 8/23/09 Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 8/25/09 Carolina Dayflower (Commelina caroliniana).  Actually, it might be a Virginia Dayflower: the differences are far from obvious!  Durham, NC, 8/29/09. Great Blue Lobelia, NC Botanical Garden, 9/6/09      

 

       
      Asian Dayflower (Commelina communis), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Flossflower (Ageratum genus), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 9/11/09 Great Lobelia, Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Orange County, NC, 9/13/09 Late Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens),  Geitner Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/25/09 Virginia Dayflower (Commelina virginiana), Glen R. Hilton Park, Hickory, Catawba County, NC, 9/25/09.  Seen in deep woods.  

 

         
Carolina Dayflower, Durham, NC, 9/20/09 Tall Blazing Star (Liatris aspera), Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC, 10/16/09          

Green Flowers

     
Eastern Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) flower, Durham, NC, 3/24/10 Spurge (Euphorbia genus), North Carolina Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 4/10/09 Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), American Tobacco Trail (miles 4-6), Durham, NC, 4/13/09 Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Durham, NC, 4/14/09 White Oak (Quercus alba), Durham, NC, 4/15/09, fallen from tree Jack-in-the-Pulpit(Arisaema triphyllum), with spathe, Lake Crabtree County Park, Wake County, NC, 4/16/09      

 

           
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra), Durham, NC, 4/20/09 Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Durham, NC, 5/4/09 American Holly, Durham, NC, 5/8/09 White-bracted Sedge or Whitetop Sedge or Sandswamp Whitetop (Rhynchospora latifolia), Ocracoke, Hyde County, NC, 5/11/09 Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Durham, NC, 5/17/06.  These flowers are usually not seen until they fall from these tall trees. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) spathe, NC Botanical Garden, Orange County, NC, 5/21/06 Eastern Hophornbeam fruit (Ostrya virginiana), Durham, NC, 6/8/09            

 

               
Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC, 6/21/09 Wild Peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum, Brassicaceae family), American Tobacco Trail, Durham, NC, 6/29/09 Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), with green seedheads, NC Botanical Garden, 7/17/09.  Two plants are seen here. Angelica genus, Moses Cone Memorial Park, Watauga County, NC, 8/12/09 Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), with red seedheads, Durham, NC, 9/16/09              

Black Flowers

         
  Crabgrass flowers and seeds        

© Copyright 2005-2009 Dorothy E. Pugh

References

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

Justice, W., C.R. Bell and A.H. Lindsey (2005) Wild Flowers of North Carolina, 2nd ed.  Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.

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

USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 9 November 2009). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.