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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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