Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Cantharellus cinnabarinus

Found among leaf litter in Mid-June, these gorgeous orange-colored mushrooms are actually edible.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium)

A plant from the Arum family, this perennial has a single compound leaf atop a stalk from 8 to 40 " tall. It is often missed in the damp woods. A single flower arises from a basal sheath. The green spathe is 1-2" long and surrounds the spadix flowers. Found throughout most of TN May thru June in damp low woods and along streams. Look for the bright red to orange berries in the Fall.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Widow's Cross (Sedum pulchellum)

This pretty flower blooms in limestone of cedar glades, bluffs and roadsides. The flowers form a cross shape, hence the name. The spreading petals are pink to white (0.12-0.25" long).

Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica L.)

This gorgeous perennial forms dense colonies in open swampy woods and marshes. The blue-violet to purple flowers are 2.4 to 3.2" wide and have a bright yellow patch at the base of the oblong-ovate sepals. Bloom time in June.

Western Daisy (Astranthium integrifolium)

A hairy annual, the Western Daisy resembles the Oxeye Daisy, but has less rays (8-30 white). Look for this flower alongside roadsides and borders of barrens. Bloom time: April thru July.

Prairie Larkspur (Delphinium virescens)

Prairie Larkspur is a perennial that is from 1- 4 feet tall. The flowers are light blue to whitish. Look for these beauties in barrens, plains & cedar glades. This photo was taken on Johnson Road in Lebanon (Wilson County).

Miami Mist (Phacelia purshii)

A beautiful annual from 8-16" tall. The flower is bowl shaped and blue or pale lavender with a white center. The lobes are deeply fringed and can be found in rich woods, moist fields or roadsides. Blooming April thru May.