Pennsylvania Native Plants

Nodding Ladies' Tresses Orchid [Spiranthes cernua]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 9-15-22.

Nodding Ladies' Tresses Orchid [Spiranthes cernua]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 9-15-22. This plant found growing right out of mine acid drainage water, orchids and other plants resiliency and adaptation never ceases to amaze me.

The beautiful and tropical looking Spotted Beebalm [Monarda punctata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-22

Purple Fringeless Orchid [Platanthera peramoena]. Central, Pa. 8-2-22

Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-22-22

Autumn Coralroot Orchid [Corallorhiza odontorhiza]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-17-22

Blue Mistflower [Conolinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-20-22

Indian Grass [Sorghastrum nutans] in bloom. Showing the stigma [the white fuzzy areas] and the stamens [the flowers]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-20-22

It wouldn't be late summer without the wonderful aromatic smell and the beautiful tiny flowers of American Pennyroyal [Hegeoma pulegioides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-20-22

Butterfly Weed [Asclepias tuberosa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-30-22

Great Spangled Fritillar [Speyeria cybele] on Butterfly Weed [Asclepias tuberosa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-30-22

Orange Fringed Orchid [Platanthera ciliaris]. Southeast, Pa. 7-31-22

Orange Fringed Orchid [Platanthera ciliars, yellow form]. Southeast, Pa.7-31-22

The tiny and beautiful flower of Round Leaved Sundew [Drosera rotundifolia]

American Climbing Fern, Hartford Fern [Lygodium palmatum] climbing on a White Fringed Orchid [Platanthera blephariglottis] . Pa. 7-27-22

American Climbing Fern, Hartford Fern [Lygodium palmatum]. Pa. 7-27-22

The sticky tentacles of Round Leaved Sundew [Drosera rotundifolia]. North Central, Pa. 6-26-22

Rattlesnake Fern [Botrypus virginianus]. North Central, Pa. 6-26-22

Daisyleaf Grape Fern [Botrychium matricatiifolium]. North Central, Pa. 6-26-22

Partridge Berry flowers [Mitchella repens]. North Central, Pa. 6-25-22

The beautiful tiny and often overlooked, delicate flowers of Cow Wheat [Melampyrum lineare]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-24-22

Fly Poison [Amianthium muscaetoxicum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-17-22

Hairy Beardtongue [Penstemon hirsutus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-10-22

Whorled Loosestrife [Lysimachia quadrifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-13-22

Venus's Looking Glass [Specularia perfoliata]. Dauphin county, Pa. 6-9-22

Mountain Laurel [Kalmia latifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-9-22

Beardtongue [Penstemon sp], Dauphin County, Pa. 6-10-22

The Strange and beautiful flower of Lily leaved Twayblade orchid [Liparis liliifolia]. North East, Pa. 6-9-22. This year only one of the 4 to 6 plants had bloomed and the deer ate all the flowers but one, and it was barely hanging on, so I propped it up with a stick-I guess its better than no flowers at all!

Blue Flag Iris [Iris versicolor]. Luzerne County, Pa. 6-9-22

Large Purple Fringed Orchid. Central, Pa. 6-9-22 [Platanthera grandiflora]

Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum] and flower. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-30-22

Wild Azalea [Rhododendron periclymenoides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-29-22

Just a few weeks ago this Large Whorled Pogonia was in full bloom, and all its glory, now all that is left is the remnant of a flower but the start of a seed capsule after the flower has been pollinated. Aren't plants just amazing! [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-3-22

Blue Eyed Grass [Sisyrinchium angustifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-31-22

Wild Azalea [Rhododendron periclymenoides ]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-29-22

Black Chokeberry [Aronia melanocarpa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-29-22

These two pictures really highlight the two distinct differences between the two Sharp-Lobed Hepactica that a friend and I were fortunate to discover growing together in April in North Central, Pa.. The bottom picture taken on May 20, shows a normal flowering Sharp-Lobed Hepactica [Hepactica nobilis var. acuta]. This flower has been pollinated and you can see achene [fruit containing the seed] has developed in the receptacle. The top plant, taken within the same area on the same date shows one of the 32 extremely rare Double Flowering Sharp-Lobed Hepactica [Hepatica noblis var. acuta f. plena] that were found. These plants were found growing with the normal flowering Hepactica. Notice the difference in plant reproduction, in that the receptacle has no developing seed. This is because the double flowering plants [Hepactica noblis var. acuta f. plena] do not have reproductive capabilities. They lack the male part called the stamen [pollen] and the female part called stigma and thus cannot produce seed. Also notice one of the double flowers is still blooming [one of many seen] at this late date in the hopes of still being pollinated, which it cannot. The urge in plants can be so strong to reproduce, even if it is unable to do so. The real mystery here is how these 32 plants came to be in the first place, lacking reproductive capabilities. Is there a parent plant or plants producing this genetic mutation and if so, where are these plants located and how many are there? And also how and what are the factors in producing this mutation from a parent plant. Or could it be some unseen or unknown environmentally condition producing these beautiful double flowering examples. This is a very exciting discovery that I feel honored to be a part of and look forward to many years of not only seeing but of trying to unlock the secrets and mysteries of this rare, amazing, and beautiful plant.

At 18 inches tall [to the leaves] this Pogonia is truly a giant, and the tallest that I have ever seen. Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Central, Pa. 5-17-22

The urge to bloom can be strong and every spring many plants become trapped in the leaf litter and struggle to bloom. In this case a Painted Trillium [Trillidium undulatum]. But bloom they do, maybe not as showy as the others, but they show an unrelenting determination. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22

Foamflower [Tiarella cordifolia]. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22

Painted Trillium [Trillidium undulatum]. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22.

Fringed Polygala [Polygala paucifolia]. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22

Maidenhair Fern [Adiantum pedatum]. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22

Painted Trillium [Trillidium undulatum]. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22. This trillium had four leaves instead of the normal three, and notice the unusual brown streak in the right petal.

Jack In The Pulpit [Arisaema triphyllum]. Central, Pa. 5-14-22

Showy Orchids [Galearis spectabilis]. Central, Pa. 5-14-22

Heart Leaved Twayblade [Neottia cordata]. Northeast, Pa. 5-12-22

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper [Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens]. Central, Pa. 5-14-22

Maidenhair Fern [ Adiantum pedatum] sprouting. If you look close at the base of the new growth you can see remanence of last years plants. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22.

Maidenhair Fern [ Adiantum pedatum] "Fiddleheads", Just starting to open. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22.

Maidenhair Fern [ Adiantum pedatum]. Just starting to open. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22.

Large Flowering Bellwort [Uvularia grandiflora]. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

Miterwort, Bishop's Cap [ Mitella diphylla] & Red Trillium [Trillium erectum]. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

Miterwort, Bishop's Cap [ Mitella diphylla] North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

Red Trillium [Trillium erectum]. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

The beautiful foliage of Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica acutiloba]. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22. Notice the different variations and patterns in the leaves, also notice the four and five lobed plants vs the usual three.

One of my favorite pictures of Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica nobilis var. acuta f. plena], and their amazing foliage. There are three plants in this picture. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica nobilis var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 5-4-22

I just had to take one last look at the amazing and fortunate find a friend and I had made several weeks ago in North Central, Pa. Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica nobilis var. acuta f. plena]. Another friend did a wonderful job of surveying the area and together we found an extraordinary 36 plants mixed in with the normal flowering Hepatica! There was quite a diversity in plant form and color, with some really amazing and striking colors. The only reason these Hepatica were still blooming [vs normal flowering Hepatica] was because, lacking pollinating capabilities of normal Hepatica, they were still in hopes of being pollinated. 5-4-22

The beautiful veining of Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-3-22. Also the tiniest Rattlesnake Weed leaves ever found.

Wonderful Miterwort, Bishop's Cap [Mitella diphylla]. North Central, Pa. 4-22-25

Long Spurred Violet [Viola rostrata]. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Sharp Leaved Hepatica [Hepatica acutiloba]. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Spring Beauty [Claytonia virginica]. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Dutchman's Breeches [Dicentra cucullaria]. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22.

Dutchman's Breeches [Dicentra cucullaria] in bud. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22.

Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica nobilis var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Red Trillium [Trillium erectum]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-25-22

Sharp Leaved Hepatica [Hepatica acutiloba]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-25-22

This has now been confirmed as double flowering Sharp Leaved Hepatica [Hepatica nobilis var. acuta f. plena], a very rare wildflower mutation. What makes this flower so special and rare is not just its beauty but the fact that at least 12 different individual plants and as many as 15 were found in this particular site, along with many hundreds of regular flowering beautiful Sharp Leaved Hepatica. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Round Leaved Yellow Violet [Viola rotundifolia]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-25-22

Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin county, Pa. 4-14-22

Trailing Arbutus starting to open. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-11-22 [Epigaea repens]

The beautiful purple veins of Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa.-6-22. Notice the large hairs covering the leaves

It won't be long now! Buds of Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-6-22. One my favorite wildflowers, and one I always look forward too!

Spotted [Striped] Wintergreen [Chimaphila maculata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-14-22

Spreading Dogbane seeds [Apocynum androsaemifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-2-22

Beautiful seeds from our native clematis Virgin Bower [Clematis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-15-22

Spreading Dogbane still holding on to it's seeds [Apocynum androsaemifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-15-22

The setting sun seems to make this Common Milkweed pod and seeds look they are glowing. [ Asclepias syriaca]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-15-22. The seeds were immature and under developed and never dispersed last fall.

Ice had formed on a blade of Indian Grass and having become separated, created this perfect copy, right down to the grains and pattern of the grass. [Sorghastrum nutaus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-10-22

Ice on Whorled Mountain Mint [Pynanthemum verticillatum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-10-22

All that is left now of Indian Tobacco are the ghostly seed pods from last fall [Lobelia inflata], but they are still elegant. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-5-22

The warm colors of Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima] in seed on a cold January Day. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-22-22

Snow on Wild Bergamot [Monarda fistulosa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-27-22

Dried flowers [the receptacles] of Rabbit Tobacco [Psuedognaphalium obtusifolium]. These flowers in summer are a white tubular shape. "When crushed, the plant exudes a characteristic maple syrup scent." The plant in summer has an overall white papery appearance. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-27-22.

This is that part of the Goldenrod [Solidado] plant called the receptacle. It holds the individual flowers and later the seeds of the plant, these picture show the receptacle empty after the seeds have all dispersed. If you look close at the receptacle head you can see the perfect indentations where each individual seed or achene was held. For years I was mistaken and thought I was looking at a dried flower from possibly Fleabane. I think these receptacles are beautiful in the stark winter landscape, and a reminder of warmer summer days. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-14-22.

Roundleaf Greenbrier vine and its fruit [Smilax rotundifolia]. Dauphin County , Pa. 1-14-22

Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima] in seed. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-15-22

Bluestem Goldenrod in seed. Tioga County, Pa. 12-17-21

An individual seed of from Bluestem Goldenrod [Solidago caesia]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-17-21. The pappus [the feathery filaments] help the seed, which is inside the fruit or achene, disperse on the wind.

White Pine Needle balanced on Bluestem Goldenrod [Solidago caesia]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-17-21

The skeletal remains of a seed pod from Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21

Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima] in seed. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21

Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata], dried seed pods. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21

The dried stalks of American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides], in December. Its hard to mistake this plant anywhere as it really stands out from all other plants. An annual in the mint family, it still smells wonderful! My favorite tiny little plant, always a pleasure to see! Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21

The beautiful Rattlesnake Weed plant in December [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa.12-3-21

This is an example of a tiny young Rattlesnake Weed plant just starting to get veining on its new leaves. Notice the leaf at the top shows barely any veining at all, also notice the really long filaments ["Hairs"] and the new leaf unfurling in the center [complete with many filaments]. [Hieracium venosum], Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21. It would seem fall and winter are the growing times for this beautiful and unusual plant.

The beautiful foliage of Rattlesnake Weed in December [Hieracium vevosum]. This picture really shows off the deep reds and purples of the veining on the leaf. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21. I have often wondered what purpose the "hairs" serve on this beautiful and interesting plant, which are longer and much more visible this time of year.

Indian Tobacco seed pods in December [Lobelia inflata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-1-21. The growing season has long since past, the heat, the bugs, the drought, and all the other struggles that this tiny plant has faced. All that is left now are these pods, a reminder of earlier days. The pods are now empty of their seeds, but they have a beauty all there own on a stark cold winters day. I thank God that I can still see it.

December flowers, Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis Virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 12-3-21

The beautiful foliage of Rattlesnake Weed, still vibrant in November, especially in the younger plants. [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa.

The Amazing Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] The following wonderful story is from Marry Holland "Long after most bird songs have ceased, summer’s flowers have turned to seed, and leaves are starting to fall, a woodland shrub, Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, brightens the landscape with its tiny, golden blossoms. At this exact same time, Witch Hazel flowers that were pollinated a year ago and fertilized this past spring have developed capsules that are dispersing two black seeds, shooting them up to thirty feet away from the parent plant, making audible popping sounds as they open and eject the seeds. This dual-purpose timing of both flowering and seed dispersal is a feast for both eyes and ears every autumn for those fortunate enough to locate a shrub and time their visit perfectly."

The beautiful Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] in bloom. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-25-21

The beautiful Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] in bloom. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-25-21. Fall would never be the same to me without seeing this beautiful and interesting fall flowering plant.

Witch Hazel Cone Gall Aphid [Hormaphis hamamelidis] has laid its eggs between the leaf structure of a Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana], leaf creating these unusual galls. Dauphin County, Pa.

Common Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Fall colors and flowers, it wouldn't be fall without it! . Dauphin County, Pa. 10-16-21

Wild Raisin [Viburnum cassinoides]. A wonderful bush for birds and wildlife. Schuylkill county, Pa. 10-2-21

Indian Pipes [Montropa uniflora]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-24-21

My first time seeing a pink Indian Pipe [Monotropa uniflora], a perennial wildflower. What a beautiful and fascinating plant. It has no chlorophyll for photosynthesis and making its own energy, instead "Indian Pipe is a parasitic plant that survives by borrowing nutrients from certain fungi, trees and decaying plant matter. This complicated, mutually beneficial process allows the plant to survive." Dauphin County, Pa. 9-24-21

Nodding Ladies' Tresses Orchids [Spiranthes cernua] with Bog Cranberries [Vaccinium oxycoccos]. North Central Pa. 9-6-21

Bog Cranberries [Vaccinium oxycoccos]. Tioga County, Pa. 9-6-21

Nodding Ladies' Tresses orchid [Spiranthes cernua]. Growing on a island in a mine acid settling pond. Schuylkill County, Pa. 9-13-21

Nodding Ladies' Tresses [Spiranthes cernua]. North Central Pennsylvania. 9-6-21

Yellow Ladies' Tresses [Spiranthes ochroleuca]. North Central Pennsylvania. 9-6-21

Blue Mistflower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-7-21.

The striking difference between two different groups of Autumn Coralroot [Colallorhiza odontorhiza]. Not only in coloration, but also the greenish plants [right] show some outward flowering at the base. Whereas the there is no visible flowering in the reddish plants [left]. The two groups of plants were separated by only a few. Of the thousands of plants in this area, these were the only greenish ones found. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-4-21

Spotted Bee Balm [Monarda punctata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-7-21

Indian Grass in Bloom [Sorghastrum nutans]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-31-21.

Indian Grass in Bloom [Sorghastrum nutans]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-31-21. The feathery parts are stamens [male] and stigmas [female] parts of the plant, the stamens make pollen.

Norther Slender Ladies-Tresses [Spiranthes lacera var.lacera]. North Central Pa. 7-24-21

Club Spur orchid [Gymnadeniopsis clavellata]. North Central Pa., 7-24-21

Round Leaved Sundew [Drosera rotundifolia], carnivorous plant. North Central Pa.6-27-21

The magnificent Pad Leaved Orchid [Platanthera orbiculata]. North Central Pa.6-27-21. To be fortunate enough to see one of these giant beauties on the forest floor just takes your breath away, Whether seeing it for the first time or 100th time!

Pad Leaved Orchid [Platanthera orbiculata]. North Central Pa.6-27-21

The wonderful and tiny Green Adders Mouth [Malaxis unifolia] with the beautiful foliage of the Downy Rattlesnake [Goodyera pubescens]. North Central Pa.6-27-21

Northern Tubercled Orchid [Platanthera flava]. North Central, Pa.6-27-21

The Tiny and beautiful, Cow-Wheat [Melampyrum lineare].Dauphin County,Pa.6-25-21

Fly Poison [Amianthium muscitoxicum].Dauphin County,Pa.6-21-21

Rattlesnake Weed and its flower [ Hieracium venosum].Dauphin County, Pa.6-14-21

The beautiful and delicate Whorled Loosestrife [Lysimachia quadrifolia].Dauphin County, Pa.6-16-21