During the summer, American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) blooms with tiny flowers hidden among its leaves. The fertilized flowers develop into small green berries which grow around the leaf axils. These berries gradually turn from green to purple...

Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) is a native perennial in the southeastern portion of the United States. During winter, its leaves are mottled with white.  This next image shows the winter leaves along with the bright green spring leaves of ne...

When Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) blooms in spring, people stop and take notice. The bright white “petals,” which are actually bracts, surround a cluster of small flowers in the center.  These flowers are only one-quarter inch in diameter and exu...

This beautiful and rare native orchid — Large whorled pogonia (Isotria verticillata) — grows in woods in eastern North America.  The plant’s colors blend well with its habitat. In this close view of the flower, you can see a small … Continue reading →

If you walk on a patch of Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) leaves at any time of the year, you’ll notice a distinctive odor rising from the bruised leaves.  This plant, now growing throughout North America, is a member of the … Continue reading →

The Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) tree blooms early in the spring.  Its bright red flowers — contrasted with the fresh green leaves — delight both people and hummingbirds.  Flowers grow at the tips of branches.

Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata) is an annual native plant in North America (eastern and central regions).  It blooms starting in mid-summer and continues blooming until the first hard frost in the fall.  Flowers are quite small so it takes a close loo...

A native plant in central and eastern North America, Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) blooms during the summer.  Typically, it can be found along roadsides and fields. The spring shoots arise from underground root buds or from newly germinating seed...

Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a common plant in North America — growing along roadsides, waste places and in cultivated gardens (where it’s usually not wanted).  The above photo shows its compound leaves with three heart-shaped leaflets,

The golden flowers of Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) begin blooming in mid-summer.  This biennial plant may also grow as an annual if the previous year’s seeds sprout in the spring and the plant matures the same year.