Plants seen in Cotter, Arkansas, between the old and new bridges of US Highway 62/412.
Plants of Baxter County, Arkansas as seen by the casual observer.
Plants seen in Cotter, Arkansas, between the old and new bridges of US Highway 62/412.
Giant Ragweed, Ambrosia trifida: the allergy causing genus. Goldenrod Solidago species often take the blame for this plant's pollen because it blooms at the same time.
Odds you'll see it? 70% for the casual observer who really looks for it. 10% for the homebody with a weedy fence or garden. 100% with a little time and education.
Cup Plant: Silphium perfoliatum, one of my favorites. The opposite leaves of this plant sometimes hold up to a cup or more of water. Look for it along larger streams and rivers.
Odds you'll see it? Near 0% if you don't look in its habitat. 80% if you look for it along most rivers and large streams.
Two common Verbesina species. The yellow flowered one, Verbesina alternifolia, is about as common as the white one, Verbesina virginica. A second yellow one, V. helianthoides has winged stems.
Odds you'll see it? 30% if you put in a little effort, 80% if you spend a little time looking.
Tridens flavus, or Purple Top, is blooming wonderously in the area currently. My first wife, Gail Stokenbury (Hyatt) loved this species. The purple tinged flowers produce a gentle sheen covering local fiends.
Odds you'll see it? 0% if you don't look, 100% if you do.
Ok, here's your challenge! What's this? I'll give you a hint. It is the flowering, now fruiting, seedhead of a monocot. Its common in quite low numbers along north facing and other mesic slopes. For example, I saw only one on my morning hike!
Odds you'll see it? 0%. Seriously, if you stay at home. 10% if you do some looking in its habitat. Odds increase significantly with more effort.
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