skip to main content

native wildflower ID

20 years ago

I live in maryland, right now there is a 'ubiquitous' yellow wildflower that is blooming, small 2 inches or so, bright yellow 8-10 petal daisy like, foliage is scalloped shape and green. appears to like moist areas and pretty much anywhere is can dig it--it is a prolific spreader and a bit of a nuisance in my perennial gardens as it is difficult weed out with its deep fragile roots, but maybe I should be more welcoming :> any thoughts? thanks,

mark

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

ArborBluffGirl
20 years ago
It could be celandine poppy or it could also be the dreaded lesser celandine. Check out the CT Wildflower Society's website and see if you can find a match.
~Shari
http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/galleryy.html
paalexan
20 years ago
It couldn't be any kind of celandine if it's got 8-10 petals, though. Poppies have four or, less commonly, 6 petals.

My best guess would be that you've got golden ragwort, Senecio aureus. It's everywhere on moist soil in Indiana, native but quite weedy. I'm assuming that the 2" is the width of the flower rather than the height of the plant, though; if it's the other way around that changes things quite a bit!

Patrick Alexander
Related Discussions
native wildflowers or weeds?
Q
Comments (4)
Number 5 is a rose. Number 4 looks like solomon's seal but I can't say for sure from the photo. Google some images for solomon's seal and compare. If it is, it is a very nice native plant and definitely a keeper. Number 6 might be goldenrod but again you will have to compare to some pictures since I can't say for sure from the photo. Goldenrod is a native plant that puts on a nice fall flower display. FataMorgana
...See More
Could you ID this NA native wildflower?
Q
Comments (2)
Possibly Alpine Sunflower, aka Old Man of the Mountain (Hymenoxys grandiflora) or one of its relatives.
...See More
Seeking Jugs of Native Wildflower Seed
Q
Comments (3)
Don't know of a source with the seed and filler mix, but two sources I've used for wildflower seeds are American Meadows (americanmeadows.com) and Everwilde Farms (everwilde.com). AM does sell wildflower mixes by region, so should have several tailored for the Northeast. I'm more familiar with EF as their varieties and quantity options are usually a better match for my urban lot projects. You'll have to pick seeds for your own mix if you want only perennials. Both firms should provide coverage estimates on their mixes to get to a cost for the area you're planning to seed. Edit - Forgot to add that not all AM mixes are 100% native and the EF native mixes probably are, but from an Upper Midwest (USA) perspective. Both do list the varieties used in each mix. Just noticed AM does now have a mix of NE native perennials and have linked it below. Here is a link that might be useful: Northeast native perennial mix (AM) This post was edited by bostedo on Fri, Apr 12, 13 at 8:22
...See More
id for wildflower (pics) native?
Q
Comments (3)
Euphorbia esula, I think. Unfortunately a noxious weed in many states, and not a native.
...See More
janet_e
20 years ago
It sure sounds like lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria). Is the plant pretty flat to the ground -- only a few inches high? I live close to Maryland (in Philadelphia), and the lesser celandine is blooming in our area right now. It's also an extremely common weed in this area. Yes, it is a non-native weed, so you can feel good about pulling it out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ranunculus ficaria photos
nclemmons
20 years ago
It sure sounds like Lesser Celandine - I also have it and have been working to remove it for the past four years. In the beds I have carefully applied roundup and it's just about gone. You have to apply early - typically before May 1 as it dies off. In grass, I took a 1" piece of copper pipe and made a tool that looks like a soil probe and has a ground opening on the edge of the pipe. I have a cross handle drilled in the pipe made from a 1/2 inch dowel. I push the pipe over the plants in to a depth of a couple of inches and remove a plug that captures the tubers. I've done this the past two years and I can see progress, though it takes persistence.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Native Wildflowers for the August Transition Into Fall

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keep the garden colorful with these stalwart perennials

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Unsung Wildflowers That Thrive in Dry Shade

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Turn shady problem spots into garden idylls with with these prolific, easy-care bloomers

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Essential Wildflowers for the U.S. Central Plains

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Focusing on prairie wildflowers supports the most wildlife in a low-maintenance Plains landscape

FALL GARDENING Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Gather seeds from your garden in fall, and you'll have a selection of plants for next year — without spending a dime

FLOWERS 10 Spring Wildflowers for the Central Plains

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These blooming native perennials thrive in dry locations and help welcome early-season pollinators

WINTER GARDENING 10 Native Wildflowers to Beautify Your Winter Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

They stand strong in wind, feed wildlife and are easy to grow. But you may want to add these plants for their looks alone

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Native Wildflowers With Unique Foliage

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When the flowers fade, these leaves keep the garden looking good

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 7 Native Wildflowers to Make You an Awesome Butterfly Host

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Offer the leaves of these and you’ll get more butterflies than with flower nectar alone

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Native Flowers That Feed Native Bees

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These perennials offer superfood to hundreds of bees and are gorgeous in their own right

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Prairie Wildflowers That Can Heal Your Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Get free, organic soil fertilizer with nitrogen-pumping plants that draw pollinators too

Sponsored

More Discussions

cold stratification?

1