Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
My first species of the day was found in the open field near the Girl Scout cabin at Chipp-A-Waters Park. Common Mullein (
Wildflowers of 2016 - #187 Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
My first species of the day was found in the open field near the Girl Scout cabin at Chipp-A-Waters Park. Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) likes dry habitats such as fields and roadsides. A native of Europe, it has naturalized across most of North America with the exception of the Canadian Arctic territories. This species is often very conspicuous, growing as much as 7 feet tall. It has a flowering stalk that can be up to 2 feet long and leaves that can be 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.
|Common Mullein - at 2 feet tall this is actually a small example|
Also known as Flannel Plant, Common Mullein is a biennial plant. In its first year, it produces a cluster of fuzzy grey-green leaves 1 to 2 feet across. These leaves will stay green throughout the winter. During the plant's second growing season it will send up a single stalk - this stalk rarely branches. The lower part of the stalk with be covered alternate leaves that get smaller higher up the stalk. The upper part of the stalk will grow into a dense spike of yellow flowers. Flowers have have five pale yellow petals and are 1/2 to 1 inch across. Only a small percentage of flowers on as spike will be in bloom at any one time. The dried flower spikes often remain through the winter.
|Common Mullein - a closer view of the flower spike|
Wildflowers of 2016 - #188 Spotted Knapweed (Cenaurea stoebe)
|Spotted Knapweed - note purple flowers and grey-green foliage|
The next flower is considered a noxious weed or an invasive species by many states. Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is a native of Europe that was introduced to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s. It is now found in 46 states and seven Canadian provinces/territories. Spotted Knapweed spreads aggressively by producing large numbers of seeds that remain viable in the soil for several years. Once established it quickly outcompetes native species.
|Spotted Knapweed flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plants lack thorns|
Spotted Knapweed plants may grow up to five feet tall. The purple flowers resemble those of thistles, but the plant can be distinguished from thistles by its complete lack of thorns. The leaves and stems of Spotted Knapweed are grey-green in color. The leaves are deeply lobed.
Wildflowers of 2016 - #189 Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis)
My third species from Chipp-A-Waters park was another non-native, Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis). This native of Eurasia is naturalized across all of the United States and Canada with the exception of Hawaii, Alaska, and the Canadian Arctic. Like many introduced species, it is most commonly found in disturbed habitats such as fields and roadsides. Bouncing Bet is also known as Soapwort - adding the plant to water will result in foam that has traditionally bean used for cleaning.
|Bouncing Bet - a closer view of the flowers, note backward angled petals|
Bouncing Be