Below is a sampling of some of the wildflowers found within Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia from mid-May to early June. These were all photographed over that span of time in 2022.
Daisy Fleabane
Daisy fleabane
Daisy fleabane, Erigeron annuus, is a common native of the region and often found in disturbed soil, along roads and in pastures.
Deerberry
Deerberry
Deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum, is also known as highbush huckleberry, buckberry, and southern gooseberry, and is a native of the region. I’ve read the fruits are edible and have been used in preserves and pie filling.
Dwarf Cinquefoil
Dwarf cinquefoil
The native dwarf cinquefoil produces a lovely flower though it is apparently an indicator of poor soil. Some Native American tribes used the plant for medicinal purposes.
Ghost Pipe
Ghost pipe
The native plant, Monotropa uniflora, goes by several names, such as ghost pipe, ghost plant, and Indian pipe. It doesn’t use photosynthesis, but is instead parasitic.
Mountain Laurel
Mountain laurel
Native to the eastern US, Kalmia latifolia, or mountain laurel, produces a beautiful and complex flower. The bushes can fill sections of the forest floor, both in the mountains, and in lower regions, often near streams. As with many plants, some Native Americans used it medicinally.
Pale-spiked Lobelia
Pale-spiked Lobelia
Pale-spiked Lobelia, Lobelia spicata, is also known as spiked Lobelia. Though Native Americans once made medicinal tea from the leaves, the plant is considered poisonous.
Partridgeberry
Partridgeberry
Partridgeberry, Mitchella repens, is a native of the region. The plant produces a small bright red berry that’s edible, though apparently bland. Native Americans used the leaves to make tea.
Pinesap
Pinesap
Similar to ghost pipe, the native Monotropa hypopitys, or pinesap, doesn’t use photosynthesis and is parasitic, pulling nutrients from trees.
Venus' Looking Glass
Venus' Looking Glass
Venus’ Looking Glass, Triodanis perfoliata, stands out for the rich violet colors of its flowers. This native plant, like many others, has been used medicinally by Native Americans.
Virginia Dwarf Dandelion
Virginia dwarf dandelion
Virginia dwarf dandelion, Hyoseris virginica or Krigia virginica, is a native of the region and is often found in disturbed soil. There are many similar species, and it’s always possible I’ve misidentified it.
Wild Comfrey
Wild comfrey
This native is sometimes called hound’s tongues, and this specific example of it is likely Andersonglossum virginianum.
Yellow Star Grass
Yellow star grass
A common flower in many regions and native to this one, Hypoxis hirsuta, or yellow star grass is a member of the lily family.
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