Blooming Beauties In August

Scarlet, orange, pink, purple and yellow .... all of these colorful wildflower pictures were taken in August of 2012 on the R2R section of AT or near the Humpback Rocks Visitor's Center. Definitely blooming beauties to look forward to seeing this year, on our next work trip (August 17)!

 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

[Photo location: Humpback Visitor's Center]

Cardinal flowers are a brilliant scarlet and while some think they are named after the Cardinal bird, the name most likely came from the color of vestments worn by officials in the Roman Catholic Church. These flowers are so beautiful and showy, they have become less common and in some cases, endangered due to over picking. They like moist areas and are often found along creeks. The cardinal flower is well-suited for hummingbirds. Due to its beauty, it has been the subject of more than one verse of poetry:

The Cardinal Flower

 (John Burroughs, 1837 - 1921)

Like peal of a bugle

Upon the still night, 

So flames her deep scarlet

In dim forest light.

A heart-throb of color

Lit up the dim nook,

A dash of deep scarlet

The dark shadows shook.

Thou darling of August,

Thou flame of her flame,

'T is only bold Autumn 

Thy ardor can tame.

♦ ♦ ♦

 

Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

[Photo location: Rockfish Gap]

Jewelweed grows in profusion on many sections of the R2R AT. It is particularly abundant on the two west side sections (10 & 11) where it grows often among the stinging nettle. Jewelweed is considered a balm for both stinging nettle and the itch of poison ivy. Due to its shape, the jewelweed was designed for pollination by the ruby-throated hummingbird, although if the hummingbirds are not available, the jewelweed can produce seeds anyway because it has cleistogamous flowers (non-opening - an extreme way of self-pollinating). Jewelweed seeds are contained in a case that is designed to "pop" open with some explosiveness when mature and disturbed, which is why it is often called the "touch-me-not". 

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 Bouncing Bet (Saponara officinalis)

[Photo location: Rockfish Gap]

Bouncing Bet is also known as 'soapwort' because its juice contains 'saponin' which will produce suds and dissolve grease and oils. It was originally cultivated in gardens in Europe and then brought to the colonies, however it has become a weed. The long tube of the flower makes it hard for insects to reach unless they have a long tongue ..... like butterflies and moths. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes as a skin wash for various conditions, but the saponin is irritating to the stomach and livestock will avoid eating it. The flowers are pinkish and the plants tend to form colonies.

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 Monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum L.)

[Photo location: Section 8A]

Monkshood is one of my personal favorites for three reasons .... the unusual shape, the beautiful delicate purple color, and it is not commonly seen. The aconitum uncinatum L. is the southern blue monkshood and I'm guessing that is what is pictured, although the stems became viney as they got longer so it could be trailing monkshood aconitum reclinatum. The flowers above were actually trailing on the ground and had to be propped up for the picture. Monkshood is also called wolfsbane and you might know it by that name. Bottom line, all parts of Monkshood are poisonous. There are varieties cultivated for gardens (usually common monkshood aconitum napellus) and while very ornamental, it is recommended they not be put in gardens where children are around. Some garden sites recommend wearing gloves when handling Monkshood since the aconitine poison (a potent neurotoxin) can easily be absorbed through the skin. Look, admire, but best to not touch!

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Wild Sunflowers (Helianthus ...)

[Photo location: Section 8B]

The two most common wildflowers (herbaceous native plants with showy flowers) per some sources are the Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The sunflower above is perhaps the Helianthus decapetalus which is known as the Ten-petal sunflower (it has 10!) and Forest Sunflower, among other names. There are lots of wild sunflowers on Sections 8A and 8B. Section 8A has a small hollow that is known by the maintainers as 'Sunflower Valley' .... it is gorgeous when the plants are all in full bloom.

♦ ♦ ♦

(Photos: Merlot, August 2012)