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.

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.

Prickley Pear (Opuntia humifusa)

The Prickly Pear is found on gravelly soils, rock outcrops, sand dunes, and cedar glades. They produce showy yellow & red flowers in Summer. Bloom time May - June. This photo was taken in late April before the pear had a time to produce its flower.

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

Description: This fern species is one of the first species to begin growing in wetlands after flooding or a natural disturbance. It can be identified by the wavy leaflets on the sterile fronds and by the brown spikes of the fertile fronds. Leaves: The sterile fronds are light green in color and grow to up 3 feet tall. On each frond there are up to 12 opposite paired leaflets that have wavy edges and netlike veins. The fertile fronds are 1 foot long with dark brown spike of hard spherical spores. They appear July to August and persist through the winter. Seeds: The sori located on the fertile ferns are round and covered by a hard dry outer shell. Stem: The stems of the fronds are robust and erect. Branching Pattern: palmate Height: up to 3 feet tall Conditions/Habitat/Kind of Forest: They can be found in wet meadows, wooded swamps and along road sides. They are tolerant of sun and shade and can grow in slightly acidic soil requires. However, they need wet or moist soil to survive. Known Wildlife Interactions: When growing in dense groups they serve as a hiding place for small animals and the fertile fronds serve as food throughout the winter for birds and animals. Range: It is found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. It is also found in Asia Conservation Status-US/ World Wide: Not threatened in the U.S. or globally. Uses (Human): None known

Wild Comfrey (Cynoglossum virginianum)

A hairy perennial from 16-32" tall. Found in upland woods, these pale blue flowers are just 0.3-0.6" wide and bloom May thru June.

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)

A low, coarse perennial that can grow to 12" tall. The flowers are from 0.4 - 0.6" wide are yellow with 5 rounded petals. Look for these pretty plants in fields, dry woods, and waste places. Blooming April thru June.

Fire Pink (Silene virginica)

A truly gorgeous, yet short-lived perennial that can be 8 to 32"tall. The red flowers are 1.5" wide and have 5 narrow notched petals with pretty yellow stamens that extend past the center. Look for this common wildflower in rich woods, open woodlands and rocky slopes. Blooming April thru June.

Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

The Oxeye Daisy is just a gorgeous, simple wildflower. Quite common in fields and roadsides, blooming May thru October. This plant is a perennial herb that can reach 12-30" tall. The flower can have 15-35 ray flowers (0.5-0.8" long). The Oxeye Daisy is part of the Aster or Sunflower family. Infusion of the petals and leaves were made into wine and medicine, except in Italy, where this flower is associated with the dead and funerals.

Wild Columbine (Aguilegia canadensis)

This beautiful red and yellow flower can be 1-4" tall. It's pollinated by Hummingbirds. This lovely plant can be found in dry woods, limestone bluffs and limestone glades March thru May. This photo was taken at the Couchville Glades in Wilson County.

Common Cattail (Typha latifolia L.)

This colonial perennial can be 3 - 10 feet tall! The cattail is 4 - 6" long and they turn a fuzzy-brown (pictured here) after maturity. Found in ponds, ditches and marshes in May.

Showy Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)

Such a stunning, short-lived perennial that can reach 24" in height. The Showy Evening Primrose flower can be white or pink with a delicate yellow center. Bloom time May thru June in dry, calcareous oils and barrens.

Moth Mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Given its name as the appearance of the flowers are thought to resemble a moth, this flower is rather beautiful. 2-4' high, it can have white or yellow flowers. The filaments inside the flower are a wolly purple. This plant, a member of the Figwort family blooms May & June in disturbed sites. This one was found on Beasley Bend in Lebanon.

Olive Hairstreak

This green colored butterfly is perched on a False Garlic (Nothoscordum bivalve). These pretty flowers bloom March thru May and are in the Lilly family. They do not smell like garlic, but rather their name is derived from the plant's onion-like appearance. Look for this plant in fields, pastures, open woods and thin-soil around limestone outcrops.

Fruiting Head of a Yellow Goatsbeard (Tragopogon dubius)

Many of the beautiful Yellow Goatsbeard flowers have gone to fruit. They look like dandelions, but they can be a big as a tennis ball. Pull over and view these fruits just before dusk, they are rather pretty. The flower blooms May thru July.

Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata)

One of my favorite flowers, the Venus' Looking Glass is a member of the Bluebell family. The bright purple flowers are star shaped and can be 10-30" tall. Look for them in fields and roadsides. Bloom time May thru August.

Rough-Fruited Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)

This is a showy roadside plant with 30" tall hairy stems. The flower is pale yellow (1" across) with 5 broad petals. Bloom time May thru July. Look for these blooming in dry fields and roadsides.

Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans L.)

You may be noticing these rather tall (2-7') flowers standing along the roadside or in fields. The Nodding Thistle is a member of the Aster or Sunflower Family. The stems are extremely prickly and the pretty purple flowers can be 2" across. Bloom time May thru November. Considered a noxious weed, farmers and ranchers dislike this plant (can you see why?). Look/photograph, but don't touch!

Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis)

Have you seen a blurr of yellow as you drive in the country? Pull over and visit these 3-6' tall flowers along the roadside. They are a member of the Pea family. Bloom time May thru October. The fermented plants produce dicoumaral, the chemical found in rat poison.

Smooth Vetch (Vicia villosa)

This lovely pinkish-purple flower is in the bean family. The plant can reach 3' in height and has 5-15 flowers that bloom May thru August. Look for it in fields and roadsides. This beauty was on Johnson Road in Wilson County.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Also known as Milfoil, the Yarrow is in the Aster family and blooms June thru November in fields, and roadsides. The leaves have a feathery appearance. Folk remedy used this plant as a remedy for stomach disorders.

Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus)

Also known as a Bluebottle or Cornflower, this stunning bright blue flower can be 12-36" tall. Typically blooming July - September (this one was in bloom in May). Look for it along roadsides, fields and other open places. The flowers were used as an eyewash and a cordial to counteract the poison of scorpions and spiders. These were discovered on Johnson Road in Wilson County.

Luna Moth (Actias luna)

Family: Saturniidae

Subfamily: Saturniinae

Identification: Hindwings have long curving tails. Wings are pale green, each with a transparent eyespot. Outer margins are pink in the southern spring brood, yellow in the southern summer brood and in northern populations.

Life History: Adults are very strong fliers and are attracted to lights. Mating takes place after midnight, and egg-laying begins that evening. Females lay eggs in small groups or singly on both surfaces of host plant leaves. The eggs hatch in about one week and the caterpillars are sedentary and solitary feeders. Leaves and silk are used to spin papery brown cocoons in litter under the host plant.

Wing Span: 2 15/16 - 4 1/8 inches (7.5 - 10.5 cm).

Caterpillar Hosts: A variety of trees including white birch (Betula papyrifera), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), hickories (Carya), walnuts (Juglans), and sumacs (Rhus).

Adult Food: Adults do not feed.

Habitat: Deciduous hardwood forests.

Range: Common. Nova Scotia west to Saskatchewan and eastern North Dakota; south to central Florida, the Gulf Coast, and eastern Texas.

Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)

This beautiful flower is a member of the Snapdragon family. Look for it in meadows or roadsides in Middle TN. Bloom time May - June.

Yellow Goatsbeard (Tragopogon dubius)

12 - 36 inches tall, this flower catches one's eye along roadsides of middle TN. This beautiful flower opens in the morning and if you plan to go back to view it, you better do so before noon as they close by then. Blooming May thru July. When the flower goes to a fruit, it resembles a dandelion, but it can be 3-4" across. Look for these plants in dry, open sites or roadsides. It is an occasional flower (found in 11-31 counties in TN).

Cicada

The 13-year Cicada hasn't been out since 1998. Cicadas live for about five to six weeks, and make that familiar chirping sound, you may recall from the summer of 1998.

Dr. Frank Hale, entomologist at the University of Tennessee Extension, says cicadas are harmless to humans but the females can cause damage to young trees when laying eggs.