Fall 2016

#349 - Starry Campion (Silene stellata)

The weather in West Virginia is beautiful early in the fall. It has been very dry and warm but wildflowers are in great shape. On a couple of recent hikes, I have found several old friends in forest and field and a new one as well.                                                                                                                 

While at Sandstone Falls on the New River Gorge National River I found this interesting flower. Starry Campion, also known as Widows Frill. (Silene stellata)
It is not very common and is rare or threatened in some places. It has distinctive whorl of four leaves as seen in the second picture

Nodding ladies tresses from around my home

Crownbeard 

West Virginia Early Fall Hike

Our church picnicked at Camp Creek State Park and I hiked on a couple trails and saw some nice flowers including a new one or two. Below are pictures of flowers and other finds from today.

                                    #348 Collinsonia canadensis    

                            Citronella horsebalm, Richweed, Stoneroot

This was a very interesting plant that I found near a seep. I've never seen it before and I really like the lemon/mint odor and beautiful flowers. It is in the mint family and some sources identify it as threatened or endangered. It is a commonly used herbal remedy, often used for a descriptively name malady; "minister's sore throat." 
This is a new find for my attempt to find, photograph and ID as many of West Virginia's
wildflowers as I can

                                  

                                        

                      Collinsonia canadensis

 

 Citronella horsebalm, Richweed, Stoneroot

                                                                                                              

                           

 

Cardinal Lobelia 

Great Blue Lobelia

Light colored Great Blue Lobelia 

Aster

Beech Drops

Maidenhair fern

Fungi