Cantharellus cinnabarinus

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

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.