Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 through #193

Yesterday (07 July), I added seven species to my Wildflowers of 2016 list.  Of those seven species, two were native and the other five were introduced from Europe.  The first three species were photographed at Chipp-A-Waters Park and the final four were photographed at Mill Pond park.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

My first species of the day was found in the open field near the Girl Scout cabin at Chipp-A-Waters Park.  Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) likes dry habitats such as fields and roadsides.  A native of Europe, it has naturalized across most of North America with the exception of the Canadian Arctic territories.  This species is often very conspicuous, growing as much as 7 feet tall.  It has a flowering stalk that can be up to 2 feet long and leaves that can be 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.

Common Mullein - at 2 feet tall this is actually a small example

Also known as Flannel Plant, Common Mullein is a biennial plant.  In its first year, it produces a cluster of fuzzy grey-green leaves 1 to 2 feet across.  These leaves will stay green throughout the winter.  During the plant's second growing season it will send up a single stalk - this stalk rarely branches.  The lower part of the stalk with be covered alternate leaves that get smaller higher up the stalk.  The upper part of the stalk will grow into a dense spike of yellow flowers.  Flowers have have five pale yellow petals and are 1/2 to 1 inch across.  Only a small percentage of flowers on as spike will be in bloom at any one time.  The dried flower spikes often remain through the winter.

Common Mullein -  a closer view of the flower spike

Wildflowers of 2016 - #188 Spotted Knapweed (Cenaurea stoebe)

Spotted Knapweed - note purple flowers and grey-green foliage

The next flower is considered a noxious weed or an invasive species by many states.  Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is a native of Europe that was introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s.  It is now found in 46 states and seven Canadian provinces/territories.  Spotted Knapweed spreads aggressively by producing large numbers of seeds that remain viable in the soil for several years.  Once established it quickly outcompetes native species.

Spotted Knapweed flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plants lack thorns

Spotted Knapweed plants may grow up to five feet tall.   The purple flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plant can be distinguished from thistles by its complete lack of thorns.  The leaves and stems of Spotted Knapweed are grey-green in color.  The leaves are deeply lobed.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #189 Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis)

Bouncing Bet

My third species from Chipp-A-Waters park was another non-native, Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis).  This native of Eurasia is naturalized across all of the United States and Canada with the exception of Hawaii, Alaska, and the Canadian Arctic.  Like many introduced species, it is most commonly found in disturbed habitats such as fields and roadsides.  Bouncing Bet is also known as Soapwort - adding the plant to water will result in foam that has traditionally bean used for cleaning.
 

Bouncing Bet - a closer view of the flowers, note backward angled petals

Bouncing Bet plants may grow up to 2 1/2 feet tall and produces a terminal cluster of white or bluish-white flowers.  The flowers are up to 1 inch across, tube-shaped, and have five petals.  The petals angle backward, exposing the plant's pistil and stamen.  Like many pale flowers, Bouncing Bet is probably pollinated mainly by large nocturnal moths.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #190 Common Burdock (Arctium minus)

After leaving Chipp-A-Waters Park, I went a short distance to Mill Pond Park.  Mill Pond is Mt. Pleasant's largest park at 90 acres.  The first new flower that I encountered at Mill Pond Park was the  Common Burdock (Arctium minus).  This introduced species is a common weed of fields, roadsides, pastures, and other disturbed spaces.  Common Burdock (also known as Lesser Burdock) is native to Europe, but can now be found across most of North America with the exception of Alaska and the Canadian Arctic.

Common Burdock is a large plant

 
Common Burdock plants can be identified by their large leaves (up to 2 feet long and 1.5 feet wide), purple flowers, and round burs.  The burs encase the plant's seeds and are used to disperse the seeds.  Anyone who has ever brushed up against one of these plants is familiar with how the hooked burs cling to clothing (or animal fur or feathers) and pull off of the parent plant.  Common Burdock plants may grow from 3 to 6 feet tall.

Common Burdock - note purple flowers and developing hooked burs

Wildflowers of 2016 - #191 Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum)

Willow-herb - note toothed margins of leaves

My second flower from Mill Pond Park was my first native species of the day, Willow-herb (Epilobium ciliatum).  I found this plant growing in the floodplain area at Mill Pond Park - in the same location where I found it in 2014.  This species is typically found in wet soils.  This species can be found across North America with the exception of seven states in the Southeast and the Canadian territory of Nunavut.

Willow-herb - a closer view of the flower, note the small hairs on stems

Michigan's eight Epilobium species can be difficult to identify to the species level.  I based my identification of this plant on its height (greater than 3 feet), the size of its flower, size of leaves, toothed margins of its leaves, and locations of known populations in Michigan.  However, this species is known to hybridize with Cinnamon Willow-herb (E. coloratum) and the plants in this small colony may very well be hybrids.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #192 Common Plantain (Plantago major)

Common Plantain (Plantago major) did not appear on my 2014 list.  This species is native to Europe, but has naturalized across all fifty states and every Canadian province with the exception of Nunavut.  It has been recorded in about three-quarters of Michigan's counties.

Common Plantain - note basal rosette of leaves and flower spikes

Common Plantain plants consist of a rosette of basal leaves measuring up to 12 inches across.  The leaves are oval-shaped with a long stalk and measure 2 to 5 inches long.  Rising from the center of the rosette are one or more densely packed flower spikes that rise to a height of 5 to 20 inches.  The individual flowers on the spikes are small (1/8 inch) and green colored.  The flowers consist of 4 sepals a single white pistil (which can be seen in the photographs) and four stamen with purple anthers.

Common Plantain flower spike - note protruding white pistils and purple stamen

Wildflowers of 2016 - #193 Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

The final flower on the list for the day is a nettle - Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica).  On June 28th I recorded  Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) at Species #175.  Although Wood Nettle and Stinging Nettle are in separate genera (Urtica and Laportea), they share a common characteristic.  Both plants are covered with fine needle-like hairs that break off upon contact.  These needles are filled with  a mixture of chemicals that cause an itching or burning sensation upon contact with skin.  Both plants also have small greenish-white or green flowers growing in clusters from the leaf axils.

Stinging Nettle - note opposite leaves and flowers in leaf axils

 
Despite these similarities the two plants are easy to distinguish.  Stinging Nettle often grows taller than Wood Nettle (up to 7 feet tall versus 4 feet tall).  Although both species like wet soils, Stinging Nettle is also more likely to be found in dry habitats than Wood Nettle.  The most distinguishing characteristic is leaf placement; Wood Nettle has some alternate leaves while those of Stinging Nettle are always arranged in pairs.
 

Stinging Nettle - a closer view of the flowers

There is some debate over the origin of our Stinging Nettle plants.  The species is native to both North America and Eurasia.  Michigan Flora indicates that most Michigan plants belong to the native subspecies.
 

Wildflowers of 2016 - #183 through #186

Yesterday (06 July 2016), I added four more species to my Wildflower of 2016 lit.  The first two species were photographed at  Pickens Field and the other two were photographed at Mission Creek Woodland Park.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #183 White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia)

On June 21st I recorded Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) as Species #152 for the year.  My first flower yesterday was the closely related White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia).  The two species are very similar; in fact, the plants are so closely related that they may hybridize. 

White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia) - note nettle-like leaves

 
The major difference between the two species is flower color.  While those of Blue Vervain are a deep violet blue, White Vervain flowers are (of course) white.  The small flowers (3/8 inch) are arranged on clusters of spikes like those of Blue Vervain, but the spikes of White Vervain are less compact and tend to sprawl more.  Leaves of White Vervain also tend to be wider than those of Blue Vervain.  The leaves resemble those of Nettles (Urticaceae), thus the urticifolia in the species scientific name.  White Vervain plants may grow to a height of 5 feet.

White Vervain - note small white flowers

White Vervain is found in moist soils.  It is more tolerant of partial shade than Blue Vervain.  It is often found in open woodlands and wooded floodplains where Blue Vervain is not present.  It has a smaller natural range than Blue Vervain.  While Blue Vervain is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast, White Vervain is only found east of the Rocky Mountains.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #184 Virgin' Bower (Clematis virginiana)

My second flower of the day was Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana).  This native vine climbs to a height of 6 to 10 feet.  The leaves on the plant are arranged in alternate pairs.  Each leaf has three pointed oval leaflets with toothed margins and a notched base.

Virgin's Bower leaves have three lobed leaflets

The flowers of Virgin's Bower are white, 3/8 to 5/8 inch across, and grow in flat topped panicles.  Individual plants may have all male (staminate) flowers, all female (pistillate) flowers, or both staminate and pistillate flowers.

Virgin's Bower flowers

 
Virgin's Bower typically grows in moist habitats such as floodplains, wet forest edges, swamps, etc.  It is found throughout the eastern half of North America, east of a line running south from Manitoba to eastern Texas.

Virgin's Bower often flowers profusely

Wildflowers of 2016 - #185 Thin-leaved Coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba)

My third flower of the day was found in a dry upland area at Mission Creek.  Thin-leaved Coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba) has a composite flower with a dark brown disc surrounded by 6 to 12 rays.  This species goes by several different names including Three-lobed Coneflower (a reference to it's typically lobed leaves) and Brown-eyed Susan (differentiating it from the related Black-eyed Susan or Rudbeckia hirta).  Initially, I thought that these flowers may have been R. hirta, because I did not see any lobed leaves, but I eventually settled on an identification of R. triloba based on the overall characteristics of the plant.  Looking back at my photos, I do see a few lobed leaves that I did not notice when the photos were taken.

Thin-leaved Coneflower - note flattened discs

For more information on Rudbeckia species, check out my post "Three Rudbeckias are better than one" from August 2013.

Thin-leaved Coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba)

Wildflowers of 2016 - #186 American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya)

The final flower of the day would be easy to overlook because of the small size of its blooms.  American Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya) has small tubular flowers arranged in opposite pairs on one or more spikes (racemes) that rise above the plant's leaves.  Individual flowers are up to one inch long, but only 1/4 inch across.  The flowers bloom in sequence from the bottom of the spike to the top, with only a few pairs blooming at any one time. The flowers are white with a pinkish tint.  After pollination, the plant's seed pods droop downward until they are parallel with the stem.

American Lopseed - note paired leaves and purplish stems

The leaves of Lopseed are roughly ovate or egg-shaped with coarsely toothed margins and a pointed tip.  The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and each leaf may be up to 5 inches long.  The plant itself may be up to three feet tall.  Another distinguishing feature of this plant is the purple color of the plant's stems.
 

American Lopseed - note small white flowers and seedpods that fold downward against the stem

American Lopseed is the single plant in its genus (Phryma) in North America.  Its range is primarily in the eastern half of the continent, being found in every state east of a line from North Dakota to Texas.  There is also a connected population in northeast Colorado and an unconnected (probably introduced) population in one county in Northern California.  Canadian populations can be found in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.  This species is normally found in moist to dry forested habitats.  There is a large patch of it growing near the bottom of the west set of stairs leading down to Mission Creek.

Virginia Ctenucha at Forest Hill Nature Area.

On Friday (01 July), I stopped at the Forest Hill Nature Area to try out a new camera lens.  It was a little windy for closeup photography, but I did get a few photos that I liked including this one of a Virginia Ctenucha moth feeding on Common Milkweed nectar.  The Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica) is a day-flying moth.  It is one of many moth species that are known as wasp mimics.  Their dark coloration and wasp-like shape affords some measure of protection from predators who avoid them out of fear of being stung.  I saw dozens of these moths flying around during my short visit.

Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenicha virginica) on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

From the National Archives

Wildflowers of 2016 - #178 through #182

Another rare weekend post to get caught up with my Wildflowers of 2016 list.   The following five species were found and photographed on Thursday (30 June 2016) at Mill Pond Park.  As of right now, I am up to date. 

Wildflowers of 2016 - #178 Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense), despite its name, is a weedy species introduced from Europe to North America sometime before 1800.  It is also known as Field Thistle.  This species is found in all but six southeastern states and Hawaii.  Additionally, it is found in every Canadian province but Nunavut.

Canada Thistle - note many flowers and spines on leaves

 
This species of thistle has blueish flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters.  The stems of this plant do not have spines but the the edges of the lobed leaves are tipped with spines.  Canada thistle plant can reach heights of 12 to 60 inches.

Canada Thistle is a favorite nectar plant of many pollinators like this Cabbage White butterfly (another European native)

Unlike most other thistles, this species is a perennial and can spread both by seed and by rhizomes.  It can form dense colonies - in Europe it is known as Creeping Thistle because of this tendency for colonies to expand from their roots.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #179 Swamp Milkweed (Aclepias incarnata)

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) the second Milkweed species on my 2016 list - Common Milkweed (A. syriaca) was listed at #150.  In Mid-Michigan, Common Milkweed is our most widespread Milkweed species, Swamp Milkweed is the second most common species.  As its name implies, Swamp Milkweed prefers wet soils.  Although the plant is not usually found in standing water, it is common along shorelines, in wet meadows, and in ditches across Michigan.  It rarely is found in drier soils.  Swamp Milkweed has been recorded in forty-three states, but is most common in the Great Lakes and Northeast.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

 
Swamp Milkweed is easy to identify.  It has flowers with the typical milkweed shape, but they are arranged in a flat-topped (or domed) cluster.  More importantly for identification they are a bright magenta pink.  The leaves of Swamp Milkweed are much narrower and lance-shaped than those of Common Milkweed.  The plant has the potential to grow up to six feet tall, but is usually much shorter.  Like all Milkweeds, Swamp Milkweed is a perennial that spreads both by sending up clones from its roots and by its wind-dispersed seeds.

Swamp Milkweed - A closer view of the  bright magenta flowers

Wildflowers of 2016 - #180 White Sweet clover (Melilotus albus)

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus) was originally planted as forage for livestock but has naturalized across most of North America.  Some sources list the scientific name for this species as Meililotus alba.

White Sweet Clover - note three-part leaves and elongated flower clusters

 
This large species may grow up to 8 feet tall.  It has compound leaves divided into three lobes and elongated clusters (racemes) of white flowers.  The racemes may measure up to six inches long, but individual flowers are small (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch).  This species is  member of the Legume Family (Fabaceae) sow each flower consists of five parts: a standard, two wings, and two petals fused into a keel.

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus)

With the exception of flower color, this species is indistinguishable from #103 Yellow Sweet Clover (M. officianalus).  The USDA PLANTS database does not distinguish between the two and considers them variations of the same species.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #181 Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) was introduced from Europe and is now naturalized across North America with the exception of Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.  Chicory grows in a variety of habitats including lawns, fields, roadsides, and natural areas such as prairies.  The plant was frequently cultivated for its roots which were used to make a coffee substitute - Mt. Pleasant once had a Chicory processing plant.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Chicory is a gangly, branching perennial.  Its leaves resemble those of dandelions or wild lettuce.  The leaves near the base of the plant can be up to 8 inches long, but they get smaller higher on the plant.

Chicory - not small leaves, gangly stems, and many flower buds

 
The flowers of Chicory make it easy to identify.  Each plant may produce dozens of pale blue (rarely white or pink) flowers over the course of the summer, but only a few will bloom at any one time.  The flowers are 1 - 1 1/2 inches across and composed of 10 to 20 rays or petals.  The tips of each ray are toothed.  The stamen at the center of the flower are also a pale blue.

Chicory - a closer view of the flower

Wildflowers of 2016 - #182 Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)

My final flower of the day is another European native.  Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot (Daucus Carota) is a biennial plant that during its first year produces a basal cluster of leaves.  In its second year the plant "bolts" or goes to seed, first producing a flat cluster (umbel) of small white flowers.  This umbel may be up to 10 inches across.  The center of the umbel often contains a single, sterile, purple floret.  This floret is not always present, but in combination with a "carrot" smell, it makes this plant easy to identify.  

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) - note compound leaves with narrow leaflets

This species has naturalized  across most of North America with the exception of the arctic and subarctic.  Despite not being native to North America, Wild Carrot has no obvious negative impacts in the landscape.  It gets along well in the landscape and rarely out-competes native plants.

Wild Carrot - note white flower umbel and hairy stem

Wildflowers of 2016 - #169 through #177

A rare Saturday post...

As of right now I am slightly ahead of my Wildflowers of 2014 pace.  On Tuesday (28 June 2016) I went to Mission Creek Woodland Park and  increased my tally to one hundred seventy-seven species for 2016.  In 2014, I didn't photograph #177 until July 9th.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #169 Clustered-leaved Tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum glutinosum)

My first flower of the day was a new one for me.  Along the Creek Upland trail loop.  I discovered a flower that based on appearance belonged in the Legume family (Fabaceae).  It closely resembled the flowers of a several species of Tick-trefoil, but the plant was not one that I recognized.  I took several photographs of diagnostic features (leaves, flowers, stems, etc.) and continued on my way with the plan to research it once I returned to the office.

Clustered-leaved Tick-trefoil - note whorl of compound leaves and tall flower stalk

There are fourteen different "Tick-trefoil" species found in Michigan.  These species belong to two different genera: Desmodium and Hylodesmum.  All of these species can be found in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.  Some are widely distributed, others are found in only a few counties.  I could eliminate about six species, either because I already knew what they looked like or because their ranges did not come close to Isabella County. 

Clustered-leaved Tick-trefoil - small flowers are pink, white, or purple

Normally, I try to use features such a flower color and size, leaf arrangement, etc. to key out the plants.  In this case I went to Michiganflora.net and began going down through each of the tick-trefoil species to look at photographs and try to make a match.  Finally, I found two that seemed to match up, both in the Hylodesmum genus.

Clusterered-leaved Tick Trefoil - note stalk rising from center of leaf whorl

Both species have leaves divided into three leaflets.  Both species have small (1/4 inch) pink flowers arranged on an upright stalk that rises over the leaves to a height of 1 to 3 feet.  The major difference between the species is that in Naked Tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum nudiflorum) the flower stalk is separate from the leaf stalk while on Clustered-leaved Tick-trefoil (Hylodesmum glutinosum) the flower stalk has leaves on it.  Because the flower stalk of this plant rose from the center of a whorl of leaves, this had to be Cluster-leaved Tick Trefoil (Hylodesmum glutinosum).  This species is also sometimes called Point-leaved Tick Trefoil.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #170 Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)

I found my second species of the day near the bottom of the west stairway down to Mission Creek.  Here the trail is bordered by a large stand of low-growing Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).  While people are probably most familiar with introduced species of Honeysuckle there are seven native species that can be found in Michigan.  Bush-honeysuckle is the only one in the Diervilla genus; all of the remaining species are in the Lonicera genus (the same genus as the exotic species that are found in the state).

Northern Bush-honeysuckle - note opposite leaves and flowers at tip of branch

Northern Bush-honeysuckle is a low growing shrub (6 to 36 inches tall) with oblong shaped leaves with pointed tips and finely toothed margins.  The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the round woody stems.  This is the only honeysuckle with toothed leaves.

The flowers of Northern Bush-honeysuckle are funnel shaped with five petals.  The petals curl backwards revealing the flower's pistil and stamen.  The flowers are are a pale lemon yellow color, but after pollination fade to a darker yellow-orange or red color.  The flowers are pollinated by bees.

Northern Bush-honeysuckle - not yellow flowers fading to red and toothed leaf margins

Northern Bush-honeysuckle typically grows in dry rocky soils.  It is found in woodlands throughout eastern North America as far west as Saskatchewan and as far south as the Appalachians of northern Georgia and Alabama.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #171 Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)

The next flower is a native member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae).  Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), which is also known as Heal-all, is found across the Northern Hemisphere in both North America and Eurasia.  It grows in a variety of wet and dry habitats and has been recorded in all but three of Michigan's counties.  I found it growing along the trail that borders Mission Creek, but have found it in many other locations throughout Mt. Pleasant.

Self-heal surrounded by Skunk Cabbage, horsetails, and ferns

The flowers of this species grow in a spike above the leaves.  The flowers may be purple, violet-blue, or even white.  Individual flowers may be 3/8 to 3/4 inch long and the flowering spike meaures up to 2 inches long.  The petals on this species are fused into a tubular shape with a pair of lips - the upper lip functions as a hood over the flower opening.  The flowers are typically pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees that can reach into the tube, but smaller bee species may crawl entirely into the tube to collect nectar.

Self-heal - note tubular flowers

Like other members of the Lamiaceae, the leaves of Self-heal are arranged in opposite pairs along the plant's stem.  The leaves are usually about 3/4 inch wide can can be up to 4 inches long.  Plants grow up to 20 inches tall. 

Wildflowers of 2016 - #172 Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)

The next flower on the list could easily be overlooked.  Although Tall Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) may grow up to 5 feet, its yellow flowers are small.  Each flower is only 1/8 to 1/4 inch across.  The flowers have five petals and grow on racemes (spikes) that branch off from the main stem of the plant.

Tall Agrimony - note flower raceme and toothed compound leaves

Even with the small size of the flowers, Agrimony plants are easy to identify.  At this time of year there is no other flowering plant in the woods that resembles Agrimony.  There are seven different Agrimony species found in Michigan of which Tall Agrimony has the widest distribution.  In addition to its yellow flowering raceme, Tall Agrimony can be identified by its hairy stems and compound leaves (5 - 9 large toothed leaflets, with small leaflets in between the large leaflets).  At the base of each compound leaf is a pair of kidney shaped leaves.

Tall Agrimony - note hairy stems and small yellow flowers with 5 petals and 5 sepal

Tall Agrimony is most commonly found in upland habitats such as deciduous and mixed forests, but will also grow in wetter soil.  I found this plant growing along the trail through the cedar swamp at Mission Creek.  Tall Agrimony can be found in widely scattered locations across North America, but the core of its range appears to be the Great Lakes and Northeast.  This leads me to believe that many of its disconnected populations are probably introduced.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #173 Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)

Earlier this week I wrote about the invasive plant Purple Loosestrife and how it should be removed anywhere it is found in the landscape.  However, not all Loosestrife species are bad.  For example,  Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata) is one of seven native Lysimachia species that can be found in Michigan.  Like the majority of those species, this plant is a wetland resident.  Fringed Loosestrife can be found in wet locations such as floodplains, shorelines, streamside, swamps, and wet meadows.  It is more commonly found in shaded locations than sunny ones.  Fringed Loosestrife can be found across much of North America (45 states and 9 Canadian provinces/territories).

Fringed Loosestrife - I didn't notice the spider until I looked at the picture on the computer

The leaves of Fringed Loosestrife are oval shaped, measure up to six inches long and arranged in pairs.  The stems of the leaves (petioles) are conspicuously hairy or fringed - giving the species its name.  The flowers grow on individual stalks from the leaf axils.  The flowers are yellow with red centers and have five petals.  The edges of the petals have irregular serrations or teeth.  The flowers nod slightly.


Wildflowers of 2016 - #174 Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense)


I have been watching and waiting impatiently for the blooms of my next species.  In 2014, I discovered a healthy colony of Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) plants at Mission Creek.  In the past I had found individual plants here and there in other parks, but had somehow never noticed these plants.  It is not easy to overlook Michigan Lily.  Large specimens may grow to a height of nearly ten feet!  However, they are more likely to grow to heights of 1 1/2 to 4 feet.  Leaves are arranged in whorls or rings along the stem.  Each whorl may consist of 3 to 7 leaves.

Michigan Lily - note whorls of leaves

The flowers of Michigan Lily dangle from long stalks at the top of the plants.  Plants may have one or more (as many as six) flowers.  Mature plants will typically have more flowers than younger ones.  The flowers have six tepals (a term used to describe petals and sepals that can not be distinguished) that are yellow-orange to red-orange in color.  Each tepal is dotted with purple spots.  The tepals curve strongly upward upon opening, exposing the flower's six long stamen and single pistel.

Michigan Lily - note curved tepals and dangling pistel and stamen

Michigan Lily prefers high quality, undisturbed sites with abundant soil moisture such as swamps, bogs, floodplains, wet prairies, etc.  It will grow in both sun and shade.  In Michigan it is found in scattered locations throughout the state, but is most common in the southern Lower Peninsula.  Overall it can be found in 20 states centered on the tallgrass prairie region.  It grows as far west as a line running from eastern South Dakota to eastern Oklahoma.  In the east its range is restricted by the Appalachian Mountains.  It can be found as far north as Minnesota, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Ontario.  In the south the species' range extend to northern Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia

 
Wildflowers of 2016 - #175 Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)

Anyone who has ever encountered the next species is not likely to forget it.  Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) plants are covered with fine needle-like hairs that break off on contact.  The needles are filled with a combination of chemicals (including acid) that cause and itching burning sensation anywhere the hairs puncture the skin.  This delightful sensation can be found throughout the eastern half of the United States and Canada.  Wood Nettle prefers moist habitats such as shorelines, moist woodlands, floodplains, and swamps.

Wood Nettle - note alternate leaves and flowers in leaf axils

Wood Nettle can be distinguished from non-native Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) by the placements of its leaves.  The leaves of Stinging Nettle are arranged in opposite pairs while those of Wood Nettle are arranged alternately.

Wood Nettle - note small white flowers and needles on stems

The flowers of Wood Nettle are inconspicuous.  They are small, greenish-white, and grow from the leaf axils.  The plants do not have to be conspicuous because they rely on wind instead of insect pollination.

Wildflowers of 2016 - #176 Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta)

I first found Hairy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta) growing in the Red Maple swamp at Mission Creek Park during my 2014 wildflower search.  Unsurprisingly, I found it this year growing in the exact same locations - it pays to have a good memory sometimes.

In Michigan, Isabella County is at the northern limit of Hairy Wood Mint's current range.  Nationally, the plant is found in as far west as Nebraska and Kansas and as far south as Alabama and Georgia.  To the north its range extends from Minnesota eastward to Quebec.  This plant can be found in both upland and wetland habitats.

Hairy Wood Mint - note opposite leaves and flowering spike

Like other mints, the leaves of Hairy Wood Mint are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem.  The leaves are oval shaped and serrated around their margins.  The flowers of Hairy Wood Mint are white with purple spots.  They are arranged in whorls on a spike above the plants leaves (and occasionally between the upper pairs of leaves).  The tiered whorls of flowers resemble the tiered rooftops of Asian pagodas, giving this plant another common name - Pagoda Plant.  Hairy Wood Mint plants may grow up to 3.5 feet tall.

Hairy Wood Mint - note whorls of flowers, opposite leaves, and hairs covering all parts of the plant

Wildflowers of 2016 - #177 Common Enchanter's-nightshade (Circaea canadensis)

My final species of the day was Common Enchanter's-nightshade (Circaea canadensis).  When I think of woodland wildflowers, I typically think of plants that bloom early in the Spring and disappear once the overhead canopy has fully leafed out.  Common Enchanter's-nightshade is an exception.  It is a woodland wildflower that blooms in Mid-Summer.

Common Enchanter's-nightshade growing amid Skunk Cabbage

Also known as Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis, Common Enchanter's-nightshade has small white flowers that grow on a branched spike which rises above the plants leaves.  The flowers are unusual because they only have two petals and two sepals.  The leaves of Common Enchanter's-nightshade  are oblong or oval with pointed tips and margins with shallow teeth.

Common Enchanter's-nightshade - note small white flowers

Although it is most common in the deciduous woodlands of the Great Lakes and Northeast, Common Enchanter's-nightshade can be found as far west as Wyoming and as far south as Louisiana.