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Wildflower ID

11 years ago

I could use some help with a few ID problems. Some of the photos are from lousy cell phone, but I hope there is enough there to ID them. All from Southern West Virginia . If you follow link at bottom, you can click on each photo and get a larger picture. Thank You.

1. {{gwi:237964}}{{gwi:237966}}
About 16" tall, light green flower almost hid under leaves.

2. {{gwi:237968}}
Plant had several prongs but the flowers always were just on one. 16: tall.

3. {{gwi:237970}}
Common in grass yards.

4. {{gwi:237971}}
From a small tree. there were no leaves yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: West Virginia Wild Flowers

This post was edited by cpackjr on Sat, May 18, 13 at 22:28

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Comments (15)

jeanne
11 years ago
1 looks like Uvularia, Bellwort.
2 could be either Osmorrhiza or Cryptotaenia.
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
3 looks like plantago flowers.
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lycopus
11 years ago
First one is Prosartes lanuginosa
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
1 could be Disporum.
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
oops. Forgot to hit enter. Then saw that the name has changed as lycopus got it.
RugbyHukr
11 years ago
4 Looks like sassafras.
weedwoman
11 years ago
4 does look like Sassafras.

Also, if that is your blog you've linked to, the flower you have labeled Autumn Olive is actually one of the introduced Honeysuckles, maybe Lonicera morrowii or L tatarica. And I think the one you have labeled Russian Olive might actually be Autumn Olive (Eleagnus umbellata) although I wouldn't swear to that one.

Looks like you live in a great place for wildflowers.

WW
flora_uk
11 years ago
The plantain could be Plantago lanceolata. I think I can see a leaf centre bottom.
cpackjr
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the help everyone, the Russian vs autumn olive has long been a tough one. Both are introduced and somewhat a nuisance plant. I labeled them on my blog with the local name and when I look them up, there seems to be little consensus.

Here is a link that might be useful: West Virginia Wildflowers
momliz
10 years ago
#2 - Garlic mustard. Highly, highly invasive problem exotic - will crowd out and kill pretty native wildflowers. Looks like you have quite a few non native thugs.
RugbyHukr
10 years ago
I like the call of Sweet Cicely for #2 that was listed earl on.
lycopus
10 years ago
#2 is Osmorhiza
flora_uk
10 years ago
There is no Garlic Mustard pictured in any of the photos.
cpackjr
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone, after looking at all of the posts,googling and comparing to additional photos I took, I believe I have it now.
1. Yellow Mandarin
2. Sweet cicely
3. English Planitain
4. Sasafrass

Here is a link that might be useful: West Virginia Wildflowers
flora_uk
10 years ago
2 isn't Sweet Cicely, imo, the leaves are wrong. Lycopus suggested Osmorhiza ie Sweet Root. If you were thinking of eating it is best not to eat it until it is absolutely, definitely confirmed in person by someone who knows. There are some quite nasty white umbellifers out there.

Regarding the names you have given your plants, it would be very useful for your readers and more informative for people wishing to learn from your blog if you also gave the botanical name. Common names are a minefield and can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings. Just a suggestion.

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