Western Carolina Botanical Club

Know Your Plants – Botanical Names Beginning with “M”

Posted on January 15, 2023 by WCBC

This week’s post is plants in our database with botanical names beginning with “M”. Enjoy the pictures & see how many of these you know.

Photography by Jock Aplin, Ken Borgfeldt, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Betty Jones, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, Joe Standaert, & Kent Wilcox. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.

Fraser Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri) [Magnoliaceae] Fruit

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) [Magnoliaceae]

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) [Liliaceae]

Solomon's Plume (Maianthemum racemosum) Plant

Starry Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum stellatum) [Liliaceae]

Green Adder's Mouth (Malaxis unifolia) [Orchidaceae]

Wild Crabapple (Malus angustifolia) [Rosaceae]

Musk Mallow (Malva moschata*) [Malvaceae]

Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia sp.) [Asteraceae]

Maroon Carolina Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis)

Maroon Carolina Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis) [Asclepiadaceae]

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) [Dryopteridaceae]

Mazus (Mazus pumilus*) [Scrophulariaceae]

Indian Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana) [Liliaceae]

Black Medick (Medicago lupulina*) [Fabaceae] Leaves

Black Medick (Medicago lupulina*) [Fabaceae]

Alfalfa; Lucerne (Medicago sativa*) [Fabaceae]

Cow Wheat (Melampyrum lineare) [Scrophulariaceae]

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus*) [Fabaceae] eaves

Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis*) [Fabaceae] Leaves

Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis*) [Fabaceae]

Moonseed (Menispermum canadense) [Menispermaceae]

Peppermint (Mentha aquatica*) [Lamiaceae] Leaves

Peppermint (Mentha aquatica*) [Lamiaceae] Blooms

Minnie Bush (Menziesia pilosa) [Ericaceae]

Virginia Bluebell; Cowslip (Mertensia virginica) [Boraginaceae]

Mountain or Brook Lettuce (Micranthes micranthidifolia)

Michaux's Saxifrage (Micranthes petiolaris)

Early Saxifrage (Micranthes virginiensis)

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum*)

Sensitive Brier (Mimosa microphylla) [Fabaceae]

Appalachian Sandwort (Minuartia glabra) [Caryophyllaceae]

One-flowered Stitchwort (Minuartia uniflora) [Caryophyllaceae]

Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis*) [Poaceae] Plant

Miterwort; Bishop's Cap (Mitella diphylla) [Saxifragaceae]

Bumblebee with Basil Balm (Monarda clinopodia)

Basil Balm (Monarda clinopodia) [Lamiaceae]

A Batch of Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) [Lamiaceae]

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) [Lamiaceae] Bloom

Horse Mint (Monarda punctata) [Lamiaceae]

Indian Pipes; Ghost Flower (Monotropa uniflora)

Appalachian Pygmy Pipes, Sweet Pinesap (Monotropsis odorata) [Ericaceae]

Marsh Dewflower; Murdannia (Murdannia keisak*) [Commelinaceae] Leaves and Stem

Marsh Dewflower; Murdannia (Murdannia keisak*) [Commelinaceae]

Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum*) [Haloragaceae]

Posted in Plant ID | Tagged Ferns, Mosses, North Carolina, Plant Identification, South Carolina, Trees, WCBC, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Know Your Plants – Botanical Names Beginning with “L”

Posted on January 8, 2023 by WCBC

This week’s post is plants in our database with botanical names beginning with “L”. Enjoy the pictures & see how many of these you know.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, David Bryan, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Betty Jones, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, Joe Standaert, & Harriet Walls. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.

Tall Blue Lettuce (Lactuca biennis) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) Leaves

Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Willow-leaved Lettuce (Lactuca saligna*) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola*) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola v. integrata*) Blooms

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule*) [Lamiaceae]

Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum*) [Lamiaceae]

Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) [Urticaceae] Fruit

Nipplewort (Lapsana communis*) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius*) [Fabaceae]

Shrubby Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor*) [Fabaceae] Leaves

Shrubby Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor*) [Fabaceae]

Hairy Bush Clover (Lespedeza hirta) [Fabaceae]

Slender Bush Clover (Lespedeza virginica) [Fabaceae]

Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare*) [Asteraceae]

Heller's Blazing Star (Liatris helleri) [Asteraceae]

Smallhead Blazing Star (Liatris microcephala) [Asteraceae]

Large Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa) [Asteraceae]

Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) [Asteraceae] Bloom

American Lovage (Ligusticum canadense ) [Apiaceae]

American Lovage (Ligusticum canadense) Fruit

Wild Yellow Lily; Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) [Liliaceae] Leaves

Wild Yellow Lily; Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) [Liliaceae] Blooms

Gray's Lily; Roan Lily (Lilium grayi) [Liliaceae]

Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium superbum) [Liliaceae]

Common Toadflax; Butter and Eggs (Linaria vulgaris*) [Scrophulariaceae]

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) [Lauraceae] Leaves

False Pimpernel (Lindernia dubia) [Scrophulariaceae]

Piedmont False Pimpernel (Lindernia monticola) [Scrophulariaceae]

Lewis or Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) [Linaceae] Leaves

Lewis or Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) [Linaceae]

Lily-leaved Twayblade; Mauve Sleekwort (Liparis liliifolia) [Orchidaceae]

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) [Hamamelidaceae] Leaf

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) [Hamamelidaceae] Bark

Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) Fruit

Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) [Magnoliaceae] Leaves

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) [Campanulaceae] Stem & Leaves

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) [Campanulaceae]

Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata) [Campanulaceae]

Downy Lobelia (Lobelia puberula) [Campanulaceae]

Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) [Campanulaceae]

Pale Spike Lobelia (Lobelia spicata) [Campanulaceae] Leaves

Pale Spike Lobelia (Lobelia spicata) [Campanulaceae]

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica*) [Caprifoliaceae]

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

European Fly-honeysuckle, Dwarf Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum*) at the Visitor Center

Seedbox; False Loosestrife (Ludwigia alternifolia) [Onagraceae]

Large Leafed Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Southern Bog Clubmoss (Lycopodiella appressa)

Southern Bog Clubmoss (Lycopodiella appressa) [Lycopodiaceae]

Running Club Moss (Lycopodium clavatum) [Lycopodiaceae]

Fan Club Moss (Diphasiastrum digitatum; Lycopodium digitatum) [Lycopodiaceae]

Pennsylvania Clubmoss (Lycopodium hickeyi) [Lycopodiaceae]

Ground Pine (Dendrolycopodium obscurum; Lycopodium obscurum)

Ground Cedar (Diphasiastrum tristachyum; Lycopodium tristachyum)

Virginia Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) [Lamiaceae]

Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) [Schizaeaceae]

American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) Fertile Fronds

Maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina) [Ericaceae] Fruit

Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)

Lanceleaf Loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata)

Whorled Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia)

Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris) [Primulaceae]

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria*) [Lythraceae] Leaves

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria*) [Lythraceae] Plant

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria*) [Lythraceae] Blooms

Posted in Plant ID | Tagged Mosses, North Carolina, Plant Identification, WCBC, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Know Your Plants – Botanical Names Beginning with “I”, “J”, & “K”

Posted on January 1, 2023 by WCBC

This week’s post is plants in our database with botanical names beginning with “I”, “J”, & “K”. Enjoy the pictures & see how many of these you know.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, & Joe Standaert. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.

Mountain Holly (Ilex montana) Female Flowers

American Holly (Ilex opaca) [Aquifoliaceae] Female Flowers

Spotted Jewel Weed (Impatiens capensis) [Balsaminaceae]

Stiff Aster (Ionactis linariifolia) [Asteraceae]

Stiff Aster (Ionactis linariifolia) [Asteraceae] Plant

Ivy-leaved Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederacea*) [Convolvulaceae]

Small White Morning Glory (Ipomoea lacunosa) [Convolvulaceae]

Wild Potato Vine (Ipomoea pandurata) Leaf

Wild Potato Vine; Man-of-the-Earth (Ipomoea pandurata) [Convolvulaceae]

Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea*) [Convolvulaceae] Leaf

Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea*) [Convolvulaceae] Bloom

Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra) [Polemoniaceae]

White Crested Dwarf Iris (Iris cristata)

Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata) [Orchidaceae]

Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata) [Orchidaceae] Fruit & Leaves

Tansy Ragwort; Stinking Willie (Jacobaea vulgaris*) [Asteraceae]

Tansy Ragwort; Stinking Willie (Jacobaea vulgaris*)

Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) [Berberidaceae]

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) [Juglandaceae] Fruit

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) [Juglandaceae] Bark

Mountain Juniper (Juniperus communis) [Cupressaceae]

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) [Cupressaceae]

Carolina Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia var. carolina) [Ericaceae]

Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) [Ericaceae]

Sand Myrtle (Kalmia buxifolia) [Ericaceae]

Mountain Cynthia (Krigia montana) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Mountain Cynthia (Krigia montana) Asteraceae tribe Cichoroideae – Ray Flowers

Dwarf Dandelion (Krigia virginica) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Posted in Plant ID | Tagged North Carolina, Plant Identification, Trees, WCBC, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Know Your Plants – Botanical Names Beginning with “H”

Posted on December 25, 2022 by WCBC

This week’s post is plants with botanical names beginning with “H”. Enjoy the pictures & see how many of these you know.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Daudie Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Betty Jones, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, & Joe Standaert. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.

Carolina Silverbell (Halesia carolina) [Styracaceae]

Four-wing Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera) [Styracaceae]

Two-wing Silverbell (Halesia diptera) [Styracaceae] Seed Pods

Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) [Asteraceae]

Purple-headed Sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) [Asteraceae] Leaf and Stem

Purple-headed Sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) [Asteraceae]

Hairy Wood Sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens)

Hairy Wood Sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens) Stem

Hairy Wood Sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens) [Asteraceae]

Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) Leaves

Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) Bracts

Thin-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) [Asteraceae] Bloom

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) Leaves

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) [Asteraceae]

Whiteleaf Sunflower (Helianthus glaucophyllus)

Whiteleaf Sunflower (Helianthus glaucophyllus) Leaf Underside

Rough Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus) [Asteraceae] Leaves

Rough Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus) Bracts

Rough Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus) [Asteraceae]

Smooth Sunflower (Helianthus laevigatus) [Asteraceae] Stem

Smooth Sunflower (Helianthus laevigatus) [Asteraceae] Bloom

Small Wood Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus)

Small Wood Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus) Involucral Bracts

Small Wood Sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus) [Asteraceae]

Gray Sunflower (Helianthus resinosus) [Asteraceae]

Pale-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus) [Asteraceae] Stem & Leaf

Pale-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus) [Asteraceae] Bracts

Pale-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus strumosus) [Asteraceae] Blooms

Ox-eye; False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) [Asteraceae]

Oxeye; False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva*) [Liliaceae]

American Alumroot (Heuchera americana) [Saxifragaceae]

Cave Alumroot (Heuchera parviflora) [Saxifragaceae]

Rock Alumroot (Heuchera villosa) [Saxifragaceae] Colony

Alumroot (Heuchera villosa) Blooms Going

Little Brown Jugs (Hexastylis arifolia) Leaves

Variable-leaf Heartleaf (Hexastylis heterophylla) [Aristolochiaceae]

French Broad Heartleaf (Hexastylis rhombiformis) [Aristolochiaceae]

Large-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis shuttleworthii)

Large-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis shuttleworthii) [Aristolochiaceae]

Virginia Heartleaf (Hexastylis virginica) [Aristolochiaceae]

Batch of Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) [Malvaceae]

Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) [Malvaceae]

King Devil; Field Hawkweed (Hieracium caespitosum*)

Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum)

Panicled Hawkweed (Hieracium paniculatum) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella*) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella*)

Rough Hawkweed (Hieracium scabrum) Leaves

Rough Hawkweed (Hieracium scabrum) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Bluets; Quaker Ladies; Innocence (Houstonia caerulea) [Rubiaceae]

Long-leaved Houstonia (Houstonia longifolia)

Small Bluet, Red-eyed Bluet (Houstonia pusilla) [Rubiaceae]

Thyme-leaved Bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia)

Mountain Golden Heather (Hudsonia montana

Appalachian Clubmoss (Huperzia appalachiana) [Lycopodiaceae]

Green Violet (Hybanthus concolor) [Violaceae]

Wild or Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) [Hydrangeaceae]

Wild or Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) [Hydrangeaceae]

Snowy Hydrangea; Silverleaf (Hydrangea radiata) [Hydrangeaceae] Leaf Back

Snowy Hydrangea; Silverleaf (Hydrangea radiata)

Golden Seal; Orangeroot (Hydrastis canadensis) [Ranunculaceae]

Large-Leaf Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum)

Large-leaf Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum macrophyllum) [Hydrophyllaceae]

Appalachian Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum var. atranthum) [Hydrophyllaceae]

Splendid Feather Moss; Stair-step Moss (Hylocomium splendens) [Hylocomiaceae]

Wild Live-forever; Cliff Orpine (Hylotelephium telephioides) [Crassulaceae]

Allegheny Stonecrop; Cliff Orpine (Hylotelephium telephioides)

Appalachian St. John's-wort (Hypericum buckleyi) [Hypericaceae]

Appalachian St. John's-wort (Hypericum buckleyi)

Canada St. John's-wort (Hypericum canadense) [Hypericaceae]

Canada St. John's-wort (Hypericum canadense)

St. Peter's-wort (Hypericum crux-andreae) [Hypericaceae]

Bushy St. John's-wort (Hypericum densiflorum)

Mountain St. John's-wort (Hypericum graveolens) [Hypericaceae]

Mountain St. John's-wort (Hypericum graveolens)

Straggling St. Andrew’s Cross (Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule) [Hypericaceae]

St. Andrew’s Cross (Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides)

Dwarf St. John's-wort (Hypericum mutilum)

Common St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum*) [Hypericaceae]

Spotted St. John's-wort (Hypericum punctatum)

Spotted St. John's-wort (Hypericum punctatum) Blooms

Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata*) [Asteraceae; Cichoroideae]

Pinesap (Hypopitys monotropa ) [Ericaceae]

Posted in Plant ID | Tagged Mosses, North Carolina, Plant Identification, WCBC, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Know Your Plants – Botanical Names Beginning with “G”

Posted on December 18, 2022 by WCBC

This week’s post is plants with botanical names beginning with “G”. Enjoy the pictures & see how many of these you know.

Photography by Ken Borgfeldt, Daudie & John Colson, David Heavner, Richard Holzman, Penny Longhurst, Jim Poling, Lucy Prim, Randy Richardson, & Joe Standaert. Click on any picture to zoom & enter the slide show. Plants that are non-native to North America are indicated by an asterisk (*) placed after the species name.