

Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Grows everywhere. Prefers shade. These were
at the foot of Seneca Rocks, MNF, WV, near the bridge.
Close-up by Ken Clark at Great Falls NP, MD.

Round Leaf Hepatica (Hepatica
nobilis var. obtusa ): Also found in white, pink and
purple. Not uncommon to find mixed colors in one patch.
Grows trail-side along streams and creeks. These were
along Piney Run in SNP, VA but we saw similar ones on
Jeremy's Run. Bloom in April.

Long-spurred Violet (Viola rostrata): Pale blue
with darker lines in the bottom three petals. Long Spur.
Blooms April to June. Photo by Patrick Roberts.
Location: Allegheny Trail (North section), WV.

Monkshood: (Aconitum
uncinatum)
Strange purple flowers on rather limp branches.
Summer bloomer. Grows in
weed thickets in sunny, swampy areas. Location: Laurel Fork
Wilderness, MNF, WV.


American Water Willow (Justicia
americana): Small white flowers with orchid/purple
markings. Grows along banks of streams, rivers and lakes.
Roots are always submerged. Location: Potomac River, Great
Falls National Park. Photo by Ken Clark.

Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana): Common in woods, roadsides, disturbed
areas. Location: Olmsted Island, C&O Canal National Historic
Park, MD.
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Bull
Thistle (Cirsium
vulgare ): While they are unsightly in our lawns and gardens
thistles can be quite attractive in the wild. Attracts bees.
Gold Finches use the soft seed feathers as nesting material.
Location: Unknown.

Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina
communis): Introduced from Asia. The flower lasts only
a day hence the name. Note the smaller white
petal. Location: Under the New River Bridge, WV.

Bluets (Houstonia
caerulea ): Tiny, soft blue flowers with yellow center. Often
found in colonies in open grassy woods. Photo by Ken Clark.

Small
Flower phacelia, Phacelia dubia: Grows in open woods.
Can be found in thick clusters or large plantings. Flower is
purple/blue w/green centers when they first bloom. Fade to
pale blue or white with age. Location: Jeremy's Run Tr,
SNP, VA.

Leather Flower or Vase Vine (Clematis
viorna): Gets one name because of the toughness of the
petals and the other because of its shape. The total length
of this vine can reach 12 feet as it grows up and down the
branches of neighboring plants. Location: AT - Tar Jacket
Ridge, GWNF, VA.

Common
Burdock (Arctium minus): Large plant in the
sunflower family w/very large tobacco-like leaves. Location:
Tea Creek Backcountry, MNF, WV.

Hyssop
Skullcap (Scutellaria integrifolia): Prefers
clearings and edges. Its small, narrow leaves set if off
from other Skullcaps. Location: Blue Ridge Center for
Environmental Stewardship, VA.
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Purple Blooming Raspberries (Rubus odoratus): Found along trails
and roads. Large maple-shaped leaves distinguish this
plant from other berries. Location: SNP, Corbin Hollow
Trail.

Common
Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium montanum: Actually in
the Iris Family. Blooms in late spring in open areas. Photo
by Ken Clark.

Violet/ Pastel Blue variant: There are so many different
kinds of violets. Shenk's Ferry Wild Flower Preserve in
the Holtwood Recreation Area, PA boasts of at least 5.
Prefer shady and moist areas.

Shooting-Star (Dodecatheon meadia): Striking purple and yellow flower atop a
naked stalk. All leaves at the base. What an apt name!!!
Blooms April to May. Location: North terminus of the
North Fork Mt. Trail.

Paterson's Curse, Salvation Jane, Riverina Bluebell, Purple
Bugloss (Echium plantagineum or E. lycopsis (syn)):
Often mistaken for its cousin,Viper's Bugloss (E. vugare),
below. It was initially introduced from Europe. Found along
roadsides and waste areas. Although it is an attractive
plant it is listed on several state and the federal lists of
invasive and noxious plants. It has totally overtaken many
pastures in Australia. Skin irritation can occur from
touching the hairs on the leaves. It is considered poisonous
to children and small pets. Now also found in Canada.


Viper's Bugloss or Blueweed (Echium vulgare):
Introduced from Europe in the 1600's. Some consider it a
weed, others an important wildflower. Incredibly blue
tubular flower with contrasting red stamens. Flower branches
uncurl as flowers bloom. Location: Highland Scenic Highway,
MNF, WV.
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Hoary
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum incanum
): Light violet flowers at the ends of stems or
in the leaf axials. Soft blue-green leaves with white
underside very appealing. Location: Range View Cabin on the
AT, SNP, VA.

Great
Lobelia (Lobelia
siphilitica): Elongated Clusters of odd-shaped purple flowers.
As the name implies, it was thought to cure syphilis.
Location: Beulah Trail, MNF, WV.

Bugle or Bugleweed, Ajuga
reptans: Both a wildflower and cultivar from the mint
family. Reproduces by underground runners. Location: Black
Moshannon SF, PA.

New England
Aster (Aster novae-angliae): Blooms July-Sept.
Location Dolly Sods North, WV.

Steeple
Bush (Spirea tomentosa) - Note the tight spiral of
flowers at the top. It blooms and withers from the top down.
Found in old fields, meadows and along roads. Location:
Quehanna Tr, PA.

Swamp Verbena/Blue Vervain, (Verbena hastata): Grows in wet
areas. Location:
Shingle Mill
Tr, Black Moshannon State Forest, PA.

Heart-leaved Aster (Aster cordifolius): Dense
terminal clusters of pale blue-violet flowers. Stems smooth.
Lower leaves toothed and heart shaped. Location: Little
Devil's Stairs, SNP. Photo by Ken Clark.
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Lesser Purple-Fringed Orchid, (Habenaria psycodes).:
Flowers smaller than the Greater Purple Fringed Orchid (Habenaria
grandiflora) and the plant somewhat shorter. Otherwise
identical. Location: Otter Creek Trail, MNF, WV.

Garden or Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata): Similar to
other phlox but with wider petals. Blooms July-October.
Found along edges. Has been cultivated. Location: Kaymoor
Top, New River Gorge NR, WV.

Pickerelweed, Pontederia
cordata: A true acquatic. Can grow 2-3 feet tall.
Location: Billy Goat Tr, Great Falls NP, MD. Photo by Ken
Clark.

Cow
Vetch / Tufted Vetch (Vicia
cracca): Common vetch but individual plants can be
striking. Location: Neighbor Mt Tr, SNP, VA.

Purple Cone
Flower (Echinacea purpurea). 2-3 feet tall. Blooms
June to October. Location: PA. Photo by
Michelle
Molina.

Clasping Venus Looking Glass (Specularia
perfoliata): Blooms May - August. Grows in poor soil.
Location: Brown Mountain Trail, SNP, VA.

Square-stemmed Monkey Flower ( Mimulus ringens):
Prefers Marshy/wet areas. Similar to M. alatus that has
"stemmed" leaves. Location Fifteen Mile Creek Tr, Greenridge
SF, MD.
More Blue Flowers
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