A WALK ALONG THE LIMBERLOST TRAIL, SKYLINE DRIVE

 On our walk along Limberlost Trail (milepost 43 on Skyline Drive) in June 2014, there were Azure Bluets everywhere, a beautiful sight.  Another name for this pretty little flower is Quaker Ladies and its botanical name is Houstonia caerulea.  They are native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States, about half an inch across and very small compared to other flowers we saw.  Spread like a continuous carpet of tiny blooms, they were a delight for the eyes.  They attract butterflies and bees and are commonly found growing wild in forests but can be found in almost all grassy biomes.  Look out for it in spring, summer and the fall.

 Next we have the European columbine, also known as Granny's Nightcap, Granny's bonnet and Common columbine. Its botanical name is Aquilegia vulgaris. It attracts butterflies, bumblebees and hummingbirds and blooms for an extended time beginning in early spring.  

It thrives in sun or shade and will self-seed.  Buntings and finches apparently love the seed.  An interesting bit of trivia is that Ancient Romans considered the European columbine to be sacred for the goddess Venus.  It is toxic however, and can cause adverse health effects on animals, if they ingest the plant material.  The name Columbine evolved from the Latin name, columbina, meaning a dove-like plant.  

Next we have a White Trillium and the only one found that day.  Trillium are members of the lily family.  It is known by several other names, Great white-trillium, Snow trillium, White wake-robin, Large-flowered trillium, American Wake Robin, Large white wood lily and American Wood Lily.  Its botanical name is Trillium grandiflorum. 

The colors of the flowers vary and there are white, yellow, pink, red and purple.  The leaves can also be variegated and patterned.  It blooms in spring and summer and grows in the shaded areas of a garden and needs daily care.  It originated from North America and East Asia, and likes cool, moist habitats.  The leaves of this plant are cooked and eaten by Native Americans, but the root stalks are utilized as herbal medicine.  

The flower in the above photo is White Baneberry, also known as Doll's-Eyes, White cohosh, Baneberry, Necklace weed, Toadroot and White beads.  Its botanical name is Actaea pachypoda.  An herbaceous perennial that can grow from 1 to 2 feet tall, it blooms from spring to summer.  It is a mildly toxic for humans, but can cause serious health problems for cats, dogs and horses.  However, it is harmless to birds. 

This yellow flower is called Golden Ragwort, also 

known as Golden groundsel and its botanical name is Packera aurea.  It is a member of the Aster family and its nectar and pollen attract small bees and flies.  A perennial, Golden Ragwort is a native to eastern North America, and you will find it blooming in the spring and summer.

I tried my best to ID each flower correctly, but if you think I am incorrect on any of them, please let me know.  I still enjoy learning about these things.