Signs of Spring in Transylvania County (more nature than notes) April/May 2017

by Linda Martinson
Certified Blue Ridge Naturalist

Golden ragwort (Packera anonyma) Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Photography: LM

Appalachian bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia)  Rubiaceae (Madder family)
Photography: LM

Catesby’s trillium Trilliaceae (Trillium family)
Photography: JK Matlow

Interrupted fernOsmunda claytoniana L. (Royal fern family)
Photography: LM

Dwarf iris (Iris verna L.) Iridaceae (Iris family)
Photography: LM

Unidentified vagrant or ground lichen
Photography: LM

Mountain doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) Ericaceae (Heath family)
Photography: LM

Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia L.) Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage family)
Photography: LM

Flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) Ericaceae (Heath family)
Photography: LM

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.)  Cornaceae  (Dogwood family)
Photography: LM

Pink lady’s slipper (cypripedium acaule) Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Photography: LM

Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) male
Photography: Jeff Boyea

Southern ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus punctatus)
Photography: Ernest Guzman

Bear corn, squawroot or cancer-root (Conopholis americana L.) Orobanchaceae (Broomrape family)
Photography: LM

The black bears are out and about constantly searching for food.
They have torn up this dead log and tree to find termites, ants, grubs etc.
Photography: LM

For example…

Photography: LM

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)
Lovely, fragrant blossoms, but non-native,
often outcompeting native plants and reducing
species diversity.
Photography: LM

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia L.) Ericaceae (Heath family)
Photography: LM

Photography: LM