Loving Summer

I havn't been able to get out much in the last two weeks and missed going this year to the Showy Lady Slipper population that I love so much. So I had a couple hours on the first day of Summer to go to one of my favorite wildflower areas. I had no real plan or agenda, but did hope to find some Putty Root Orchids in bloom that I spotted early in the Spring. While scanning the area where I saw them, I unexpectedly found an Orchid that I have never seen anywhere. The Large Twayblade, also known as Purple Twayblade or Lily-leaved Twayblade (Liparis liliifolia). It is not an uncommon plant, but sites for it in WV have been described as sparse and local. I was so thrilled to see this plant that I went back the next day. I am going to post many pictures here of this fascinating plant. Here is a great description of Lily-leaved Twayblade  (http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/pp_twayblade.htm)

#324 -  Lily-leaved Twayblade

While hiking in and around Brushcreek Nature Preserve, I ran across the following plants and sights.
 New Jersey Tea is new for me and a great looking plant. I wish I had known it was a tea substitute, I would have brought some home and tried it. It was used in colonial America and leaves are gathered while the plant is in bloom 

#325 - New Jersey Tea

New Jersey Tea

Rhododendron, West Virginia State Flower

Striped Wintergreen

Balanced Rock with Tree

Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar