Sunday, April 12, 2009

5/16/08 - Wildflowers on Mill Mountain

Mill Mountain has the Star, the Zoo, the Discovery Center, and a wonderful, lesser used area called the Wildflower Garden. A series of trails traverse the garden, as a large assortment of wildflowers bloom throughout the year. It is definitely worth the time spent there, and worth the trip to get there. Here are some images from the Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden, as well as from the Mill Mountain area. I have not identified all of the flowers below, so if you can help, send me a comment.


The Pink Azalea is a staple wildflower in the spring on the Blue Ridge Mountains.




The Golden Star (Chrysogonum virginianum) prefers moist, shady woodlands.



Just don't ever forget Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis scorpiodes). Just an incredible shade of blue.They prefer streamsides and wet places.



The Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). This flower is one of my favorites, although it can be considered a nuisance species if left uncontrolled.




The white Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a prevalent wildflower in the spring on the Blue Ridge Mountains.



The Hellebore (Veratrum viride) is a green wildflower that prefers swamps, wet woodlands and wet meadows.




This is Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis). This group in in white, but can be found in many other colors.



The Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) is my favorite Azalea.



I believe this is White Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium sanguineum)




Above are a couple of images of Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea). Rough name for an attractive wildflower.




The Ox Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) is relatively easy to find along the Parkway.



The Philadelphia Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) is similar to the Daisy Fleabane, but has more petals and a pink color to the outside of the flower.



Wild Blackberry (Wild Black Raspberry)


The Canadian Dwarf Cinquefoil is similar to the Rough-Fruited Cinquefoil, but the leaves of the Canadian Dwarf variety have serrated edges.



The Yellow Hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum) prefers pastures and roadsides.



This is Frostweed (Verbesina virginica)



Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

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