Late August wildflower adventure in Michigan

We found one of the first Fringed Gentian blooming on this day at the end of August 2013.  The weather has been all over the place this summer here in Michigan, first hot then  cold, wet then dry.  Over all a good summer.

Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca) Saxifrage family. These are native plants also called Bog Stars.

There different types of Grass-of-Parnassus, P. glauca is the one that grows in the lower half of Michigan.  Also called Fen or American Grass-of-Parnassus.

Swamp Lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata) Figwort family.

Nodding Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes cernua) Orchid family.
This native perennial plant is usually 4-12" tall and unbranched.  Nodding Ladies' Tresses can be distinguished from these other species by the downward curve of its tubular flowers, providing them with a 'nodding' appearance.

Kalm's Lobelia (Lobelia kalmii)  Lobelia Family.
The Lobelia genus was once in its own Lobeliaceae family, then was moved to the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family but is now back in Lobeliaceae.

True Forget-me-not  (Myosotis scorpioides) Borage Family.

These grow right in the swallow water, not native, but very pretty.

Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum) Composite Family.

Tall Sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) Composite Family.

                                             Turtlehead

I think this is a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria Cybele) but I might just be close (or wrong).  Just as I was admiring this beautiful butterfly I spied the first Fringed Gentian of the year!  I knew the flower wasn't going anywhere so I focused on the butterfly first.

Greater Fringed Gentian  (Gentianopsis crinita) Gentian Family.
Greater fringed gentian flowers open on sunny days, but generally remain closed on cloudy days. Individual plants live for only one or two years.  Native.

"Furled" Fringed Gentian 

Death Camas still blooming.  For two months this type of plant has been blooming.

Turtlehead

Purple Gerardia (Agalinis purpurea) Broom-rape Family.  This native annual plant is 1–2½' tall, branching occasionally.
Might also be known by the common name Purple False Foxglove, Figwort Family.

Pitcher Plants were still around on their long stems and odd shaped "flower".   A very interesting plant.

                       Poison Sumac - Do not touch!

                       Dense Blazing Star was still blazing!

Arrowhead, also Duck Potato (Sagittaria latifolia) Water plantain Family.

Common Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata)

Biennial Gaura (Gaura biennis) Evening Primrose family
A native biennial plant that is 4-6' when mature, branching frequently in the upper half to produce long flowering stems.  This native plant is often ignored because it is a rather widespread biennial with an untidy appearance.  Marie spotted this along the road, and she identified it!  First time we have seen it.

Wonderful day!

Places in Barry County, Michigan

July 15, 2013 We visited some of our favorite places in Barry County and a few new places. 

                            Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

                              Death Camas was still blooming...

This is Wild Yamroot (Dioscorea villosa).  The vine can grow to be 15 feet long during a single season.  Wild Yamroot has small, greenish flowers and three sided pods.

Wild Yamroot Pods

Leaf, flower, and pods of the wild Yamroot 



 

We also saw Lopseed,

Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya) We see Lopseed less often than

 Jumpseed (Polygonum virginianum). 

 

Jumpseed lines the trails of most wet woods in west Michigan, sometimes the flower stalk can be several feet high but are usually knee high.  Jumpseed is also known as Virginia Knotweed.

Back to Barry County...



I found this dragonfly with a drop of dew on its back.

 The sundew was blooming



 Round-leaved Sundew

 There were a few shy Pitcher Plant blooming. 



 

 A plant we have never seen before Sticky False-Asphodel (Tofieldia glutinosa)
Lily Family.  I didn't get a good shot of the leaves.  I have been trying to get the whole plant in the photo, not just macros of the flower.  I'll keep trying.

 Smooth Rose

We saw a skullcap, we didn't identify the type, probably Mad Dog Skullcap or Marsh Skullcap.  I just like the color.

The lake was like a mirror. 



 

We stopped at Bassett Lake access site, and Baker Lake access site, both are beautiful lakes.

Baker Lake in Barry County, Michigan

Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) was blooming.

 

In the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area we visited Hall Lake.  

 

We talked to a guy who was fishing at the lake, he told us there were natural springs down along the trail so off we went part way around Hall Lake.

 

I saw a Great Blue Heron on a log across the lake.

If you look close you will find the heron just up from the center of the picture, slightly to the left.  See him on that big log way out there? 

Now maybe you can find the heron.  I circled him in red.

 

Here is a picture that I zoomed in on the heron with my camera from the same place as the picture above..

Pretty amazing.  No tripod either, just a steady hand.

 

We found many Spotted (Striped) Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata)  blooming.  I always call it striped because there is a stripe on the leaf.  This plant blooms in my woods too.

 

 

 

We found the springs the guy told us about. 



I know it doesn't look like much in the photo but it was a natural spring with running water.  One more plant we saw blooming.

Helleborine  (Epipactis helleborine)

It is an orchid and grows just about everywhere around here, in the lawn, along the driveway.  It seems to prefer disturbed areas.

 

 



 Hall Lake 

 

It was a fun day with temperatures in the mid 90's.  We made it through the heat and even managed to walk a few miles!