Jul 12 2014
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain [Goodyera pubescens] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway in South Asheville, just off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 1 August 2013, 27 July 2013, and 12 July 2014. It’s a member of the Orchid (Orchidaceae) family. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, pages 24-25 states that it blooms in summer in woodlands. USDA Plants Listing: Goodyera …
Apr 12 2014
Field Pansy [Viola bicolor] found on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near the Folk Art Center on 12 April 2014. It’s a member of the Violet (Violaceae) family. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, pages 56-57, says it can be found in fields and along roadsides. The synonym used in the guide is Viola kitaibeliana. USDA Plants Listing: Viola bicolor
Apr 12 2014
Young Cinnamon Ferns [Osmunda cinnamomea] found on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near the Folk Art Center on 12 April 2014. It’s a member of the Royal Fern (Osmundaceae) family. Wikipedia states, “Fiddleheads or Fiddlehead greens are the furled fronds of a young fern.” This is one of those varieties that forms a fiddlehead during growth. USDA …
Aug 23 2013
Aphrodite Fritillary Butterfly [Speyeria aphrodite] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 437, along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 23 August 2013. It’s a member of the Longwing (Nymphalidae) family. Butterflies and Moths of North America: Speyeria aphrodite
Aug 23 2013
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly [Battus philenor] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 437, along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 23 August 2013. It’s a member of the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family. One photo below shows it on Pale Jewelweed. Butterfliesandmoths.org: Battus philenor
Aug 23 2013
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly [Papilio glaucus] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 437, along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 23 August 2013. This butterfly is a member of the Swallowtail (Papilionidae) family. The photo below shows it on the Purplestem Angelica. Wikipedia Listing: Papilio glaucus
Aug 04 2013
Japanese Meadowsweet [Spiraea japonica] found on the Mountains-to-Sea trail near the old Rattlesnake Lodge off Blue Ridge Parkway on 4 August 2013. It’s a shrub that’s a member of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. The National Park Service states that it was introduced from Asia as an ornamental plant and is extremely invasive. USDA Plants Listing: …
Aug 01 2013
Beaked Agrimony[Agrimonia rostellata] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway in South Asheville, just off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 1 August 2013. It’s a member of the Rose (Rosaceae) family. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, pages 236-237 states that it blooms in summer and early fall in woods and thickets. USDA Plants Listing: Agrimonia rostellata
Jul 27 2013
Barred Owl [Strix varia] spotted near the Blue Ridge Parkway in South Asheville, just off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 27 July 2013. It first flew across our path and then rested on a branch, carefully eyeing Daisy, who we’re dog-sitting. Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife, page 114, says its hooting can be heard in both …
Jul 27 2013
Shrubby St. Johnswort [Hypericum prolificum] found near the Blue Ridge Parkway in South Asheville, just off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, on 27 July 2013. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide, pages 294-295 states that it blooms in summer and can be found in pastures and on rocky slopes and it also lists it under its older synonym Hypericum spathulatum. …
