Time for the 2009 Spring/Summer Flower Thread

[Kurchian]

Columbines on North Mountain in Pawtuckaway State Park

The columbines were out in abundance today in Pawtuckaway. (So weren't the black flies!)

 

[Jason Berard]

WOW! That is abundant!

I saw a few interesting things near the AT in Lyme this morning.

four petaled painted trillium:

and this, which I have no idea what it is:

There were a bunch of these little things along a pond edge, mixed in with some painted trillium. I didn't see any leaves, just the stems and flowers. They were about 3-4" high, and the flower was maybe 1/2" in diameter, maybe a tiny bit smaller. I can't find anything like it in either of my wildflower guide books. Anybody out there know what it is?

 

[arghman]

and this, which I have no idea what it is:

There were a bunch of these little things along a pond edge, mixed in with some painted trillium. I didn't see any leaves, just the stems and flowers.

looks like goldthread. (Coptis trifolia)

 

[Jason Berard]

Thanks, Arghman! Do you know if the flowers come up before the leaves? Is that common in flowers?

 

[nartreb]

Goldthread's leaves are very low, and not always visibly connected to the flower stem. The leaves are sort of clover-shaped (like wood-sorrel but with ragged edges). I bet they are simply covered by the dead oak leaves.

 

[w7xman]

four petaled painted trillium:

Cool Quadrillium! What I think is most interesting about it is that there is four of everything that is usually in threes on this plant. Explore the picture...it's more fascinating that it initially appears!

 

[arghman]

Cool Quadrillium! What I think is most interesting about it is that there is four of everything that is usually in threes on this plant. Explore the picture...it's more fascinating that it initially appears!

of course, DNA is just like source code, a mutation somewhere caused the "3" to change to a "4". It would be a lot more confusing if there were 4 petals and 3 sepals and 3 leaves.

 

[RickB.]

On Crawford-Ridgepole Trail today, 5-13-09

Arbutus (waning), Smooth Yellow Violet, Fringed Polygala, Starflower, Bellwort all in bloom. Lady Slippers close, a couple with color on Cotton Mt. Also, lots of Fringed Polygala on Rattlesnake Mt. Trail.

 

[RickB.]

Taken 5-14-09, Southern NH
Dwarf Ginseng

On Mt. Roberts Trail, 5-15-09
More Columbine

 

[NeoAkela]

Finally got out (in the rain) and took a few photos the other day with a Raynox lens. It was a really short walk so I didn't get much

.....Blueberries

.....Painted Trillium

.....Inside the Trillium

......Violet
​

 

[vegematic]

Nice! Is a Raynox lens a close-up lens of some sort?

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Haven't been hiking since mid-March, and I am missing the flowers. The Pink Lady's Slippers are blooming in the woods behind the house, however, so here is my contribution. More next month when I can get out again.



Tim

 

[Edelweiss]

Here is my contribution to this year's Spring/Summer Flower Thread. I've compiled wildflower photos from some recent 2009 hikes as well as a few other miscellaneous shots from trips to other places and a few perennial garden flower photos. I am always inspired by the artistic work of the masterful photographers on this Forum!

http://picasaweb.google.com/JoanneHihn/Flowers#slideshow/5336807187565989218

 

[NeoAkela]

Nice! Is a Raynox lens a close-up lens of some sort?

Yes... the Raynox 250 is a fairly decent and inexpensive macro lens - gets really, really close - almost too close for anything but really tiny objects. When you are zoomed in that far, the depth of field is extremely small as well, so focusing can be a challenge. But it is really fun for bugs and mold!

For an interesting diversion, instead of a macro lens, just reverse a regular lens (or tele lens). You can hand-hold the lens against the camera body, or purchase a reverse step ring to hold it. This will usually give you a really decent macro lens for almost no extra expense.

Edelweiss - those are some great shots! Wish I had all those colors here!

I'm still waiting for the lady slippers behind my home... just the green shoots so far.....

 

[arghman]

Here is my contribution to this year's Spring/Summer Flower Thread. I've compiled wildflower photos from some recent 2009 hikes as well as a few other miscellaneous shots from trips to other places and a few perennial garden flower photos.

nice! fyi the "desert flower" looks like a Tradescantia. The next one after that, I don't know but it shouldn't be hard to find out, orange flowers are uncommon and it looks like something in the mustard or evening primrose families (parts in 4's). The white "Catskills violets?" is Viola canadensis. (tips for Viola spp.: look for whether they have leaves on stems or whether the leaves come out of the base only. that and flower color and leaf shape gets you pretty close to a particular species.)

 

[Edelweiss]

Thanks NeoAkela- in addition to my own perennial garden, there is a garden near my house maintained by the local cooperative extension. I love to take my camera there in the early morning and take photos.

Thanks also, arghman! I wasn't able to identify the "desert flower," will further investigate the orange flower from Sedona, and just guessed at the Catskill flower. I'll update the captions.

 

[nartreb]

Pink lady's slippers now blooming in the Boston area.

 

[Jason Berard]

Today on a hike in the lowlands between Smarts and Cube I saw another quadrillium! I also saw what I think is a painted trillium that someone forgot to paint! I don't believe it is a large-flowered trillium, but rather an albino painted trillium. I know Pink Lady's slippers are sometimes white, so I figure, its possible, right?

Also saw, lots of shadbush in bloom, rose twisted stalk, solomon's seal, violets of all kinds, jack-in-the-pulpit, foamflower, dwarf rattlesnake plantain, starflower, clintonia and others.

I saw a bush that I didn't recognize in bloom. If I can get pictures up, I'll post 'em.
edit: I think it was a red-berried elder....

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Squawroot and Daisy Fleabane

Here's an unusual one.

Squawroot

Daisy Fleabane

 

[nartreb]

T. Grandiflorum has yellow pollen, in addition to remarkably large, wide, overlapping petals.
Nodding trillium has dark pollen, and, of course, droops (even more than the badly-named T. erectum - red trillium).
The unusual white form of T. erectum has a purple-red ovary (and droops).

My money's on a rare white form of T. undulatum (painted trillium).