Prince William Forest Park

Twelve Northern Virginia Wildflowers of Mid-May to Early June /  by Todd Henson

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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Polypore and Feather Moss Galore /  by Todd Henson

Polypore and Feather Moss Galore

This is a photo I created back in 2020, though I let it sit on the computer all this time before doing anything with it. I was drawn to the scene by the contrast between texture and color of the polypore mushroom and the surrounding feather moss. I thought it was a pleasant mixture of browns and green, and I loved that white band around the edge of the mushroom. I hope you enjoy it.

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The Well of Segais /  by Todd Henson

The Well of Segais

It’s funny, I recall last I wrote you I stood at a crossroads. There was a path to the left and one to the right. I had to choose which to follow, and surely I must have chosen for I’m no longer there. But I don’t recall which path I took. I’m now hopelessly lost. I don’t know there’s any value in my continued correspondence with you as it must be impossible these words will ever reach you, and more impossible still you could follow my path if I can’t even recall how I came to be here. But, ever the documentarian, I continue putting down my thoughts on the wonders I’ve been fortunate to discover. And I continue capturing photographic evidence that what I write is true.

 I have no grasp how long I travelled after passing by the crossroads. It could have been weeks ago. Or perhaps earlier this morning. Time has no meaning in this realm. Nor does direction, as I can hardly tell up from down, much less north from south. And modern concepts like gravity? Hah! Water might just as easily be found floating before you as resting on the ground below your feet. I discovered this when I stumbled upon what must be The Well of Segais. Never had I expected to see such a sight, one with such history if only in myth. But this journey has proven there may be more to myth than we know.

Now that I’ve found it, what shall I do? Shall I search for the nuts from the nine hazelnut trees? Or dare I approach the waters? Dare I break the surface reaching for the salmon that must surely swim within? Oh, such knowledge I might possess. Would I be allowed this? Or would I share a fate similar to that of Boann? I doubt my mortal mind was made for such as could be found here. I suspect I will simply document, and continue my journey, writing you these missives, hoping you may one day read them and know the truth of their words.

I must say farewell for now. I hear something on the wind through the trees. It may not be safe for me here. I must move on. I will write again when and if I’m able. Stay strong and guard these letters well!

Another Inverted Worlds image and story. I hope you’re enjoying them, even if they are a bit different from the usual depictions of nature I most often write about. And I must apologize for my unabashed borrowing of ancient myth and lore for the little details in the story above. I don’t currently know much of this lore but have enjoyed doing a little research, just enough to discover what a rich and expansive depth there is yet to be explored. 

I don’t yet know where this will lead, or if this will be the last of these posts. Time will tell.

If you’d like to read the previous chapters:

  1. The Gateway to Fairyland

  2. Playground of the Fae

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