Summer Wildflowers 2016

The photos below are a sample of some of the wildflowers we’ve seen in June, July, and August. All were photographed in Ohio.

Native Orchids

I had the good fortune of seeing two, new species of native orchid for the first time while we were attending Mothapalooza. Mothapalooza is an annual conference held in Ohio that focuses on moths, but also deals with nature more generally. The most colorful of the two was the Yellow-fringed orchid.

Yellow-fringed orchid (Platanthera-ciliaris), photographed at Shawnee State Forest

Although mostly pale, the following orchid was also a new one for me. It was spotted on a special, off-trail hike to the base of Buzzardroost in the Edge of Appalachia during Mothapalooza.

Crested Coral Orchid (Hexalectris spicata). Photographed in the Edge of Appalachia Nature Preserve

Shawnee State Forest

The next group of photos were also taken while on other outings at Mothapalooza the weekend before last in Shawnee State Forest.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). Photographed in Shawnee State Forest.

Black-eyed Susan. Photographed in Shawnee State Forest.

Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis) – a non-native flower. Photographed in Shawnee State Forest.

Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve

July is the best time of year to visit Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve. This unusual site has an unusual habitat which is basically a wet prairie. While hiking the trail there in the summer, you’ll often see prairie wildflowers, as well as other wildflowers.

Prairie dock, photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve

Enchanters Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

Smooth Phlox (Phlox glaberrima). Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve. Note the little, white crab spider on one of the flowers.

Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa). Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve. The berries that this plant produces are poisonous.

Moneywort (Lysimachia nummularia), a non-native plant. Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense). Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

I believe this is Lanceleaf Loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata). Photographed in Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

Fen indian plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum); Photographed at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve.

Narrows Reserve in Greene County

Narrows Reserve is a small park that’s part of the Greene County Park District.

Tall anemone (Anemone virginiana), photographed at the Narrows Reserve, a Greene County Park

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), photographed at the Narrows Reserve, a Greene County park

Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya), photographed at the Narrows Reserve, a Greene County park.

Green-headed coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), photographed at the Narrows Reserve, a Greene County park

Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). Photographed at the Narrows Reserve, a Greene County Park

Wahkeena Nature Preserve

Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Photographed in Char-Mar Ridge Preserve in Delaware County

Additional information

TrekOhio posts on the: Edge of Appalachia preserve. If you are thinking about going there, to get oriented you should stop first at the Edge of Appalachia: Joan Jones Portman Trail, which has informative signs providing an overview of the preserve system, a scenic picnic area, and restrooms.
TrekOhio: Greene County Parks & Nature Preserves — we haven’t published a post yet on the Narrows Reserve, but it is located and operated by Greene County. This page provides basic information about Narrows Reserve, including a link to is official site.
TrekOhio posts on: Shawnee State Forest
TrekOhio: Wahkeena Nature Preserve