Category Archives: White
Know Your Natives – Perfoliated Boneset
Perfoliated Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) family can be distinguished from other members of the genus by its distinctive leaves. Genus name recognizes Mithridates Eupator (132-63 B.C.) King of Pontus, who invented a “universal antidote” against poisoning and … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Flowering Spurge
Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) of the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) is an herbaceous perennial with cyathia (false flowers) that have outward flared, white petaloid appendages growing from the rim of the involucre (modified receptacle). Genus name recognizes Euphorbus, a Greek physician. … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – White-Leaf Mountain Mint
White-Leaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum albescens) of the Mint (Lamiaceae) family is a tall, upright perennial forb with a strong minty scent and has an open, gangly structure. The genus name is based on Greek words for dense (pyknos) and flower … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – White Wand Beardtongue
White Wand Beardtongue (Penstemon tubiflorus; also sometimes spelled P. tubaeflorus) of the Plantain (Plantaginaceae) family, formerly of the Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family, has sparsely leafed, erect stems bearing an elongate inflorescence of white tubular flowers. There is some disagreement on the … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Wild Strawberry
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is an evergreen plant which produces scarlet strawberries* with achenes embedded in pits. The genus name derives from the Latin word “fragum” in reference to the fragrance of mature strawberries. The specific epithet refers to the … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Rough Leaf Dogwood
Rough Leaf Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) of the Dogwood (Cornaceae) family is a small, deciduous tree with opposite leaves, open clusters of small white flowers, and striking, decorative white fruit. The genus name derives from the Latin for “horn” in apparent … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Ozark Mock Orange
Ozark Mock Orange (Philadelphus pubescens) of the Hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae) family, formerly of the Saxifrage (Saxifragaceae) family, is a deciduous shrub with bold, showy, four-petaled white flowers. The genus name is said to honor Ptolemy II Philadelphus, pharaoh of Egypt, 283-246 … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Hairy Mock Orange
Hairy Mock Orange (Philadelphus hirsutus) of the Hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae) family, formerly of the Saxifrage (Saxifragaceae) family, is a deciduous shrub with rather large, showy, four-petaled white flowers. The genus name is said to honor Ptolemy II Philadelphus, pharaoh of Egypt … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Hairy Bush Clover
Hairy Bush Clover (Lespedeza hirta) of the Pea or Legume (Fabaceae) family is a perennial herb with stems to 3+ feet tall, bearing tightly clustered racemes of small creamy white flowers. The genus name is dedicated to Vicente Manuel de … Continue reading
Know Your Natives – Slender Mountain Mint
Slender Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) of the Mint (Lamiaceae/Labiatae) family is a rhizomatous plant with narrow, linear leaves that give the plant an attractive, airy appearance. The genus name is based on Greek words for “dense” and “flower.” The specific … Continue reading
