Appalachian
Treasure Hunt
Journaling Native Plants of Northeast Georgia
J. Whalen
“Spend twenty minutes every day outdoors enjoying nature. Unless you’re too busy…then spend an hour every day.”
Zen Proverb
June 1
Woodland paths are cool and dark underneath the heavy tree cover of June. The creeks, usually full this early in the summer, make soothing music to entertain you as you walk. This spikey white cluster of flowers has just now risen from the leaves. It is Galax (Galax rotundifolia, Diapensiaceae) and is only found in the Southern Appalachians. Look for the shiny leaves to turn red in the winter.
June 2
Wild strawberries were once common all over the eastern states. A log from one of the early Spanish explorers describes noticing the scent of the ripe berries before the ships dropped anchor. (Fragaria virginiana, Rosaceae)
June 3
Always watch your step when you're exploring. The mosses you find in cool wet places this month may be sending up magical spore cases which will puff out their spores soon to provide for a future generation.
June 4
The fern above is a Christmas Fern, our native evergreen fern. The beautiful groundcover in front of it can be found along mountain trails and roadside banks all year. Southern Ground Pine is its most common name in this area. Ground Pine reproduces by spores instead of seeds and, in June, interesting spore cases shoot up like candelabras. Wait a few weeks and the spores will puff out in all directions when you tap the "candles." (Lycopodium digitatum, Lycopodiaceae) White County
JUNE 5
Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa, Onagraceae) is a tall plant that brightens up the late afternoon and early evening. Be sure to take a look at the interesting seed capsules which make it distinctive. (Lake Winfield Scott)
June 6
Summer Grape, or Pidgeon Grape, has tangled vines and tiny green grapes by June. When the wind turns the leaves over, you will notice the distinctive whitish undersides of the leaves. The birds and bears will be watching for ripening grapes! (Vitis aestivalis, Vitaceae) Union County
June 7
"Tway" means "two" so look for the paired shiny green leaves at the base of this delicate orchid. Lily-leaved Twayblade can be found with sharp eyes in heavily shaded areas. The flowers are a beautiful shade of purple backed with greenish-white sepals. (Liparis lilifolia, Orchidaceae) Union County
June 8
Sourwood trees are covered with "fingers" of tiny white bell-shaped flowers in June. As ornamental as the flowers are, the pinkish red leaves in the fall are just as lovely. Yet still, the bees love the trees most for the delicious nectar to make sourwood honey for themselves and us. (Oxydendron arboreum, Ericaceae) Rabun County
June 9
The gray mist of these summer Mountain Mints stands out in large colonies alongside the pink phlox. As with most mints, the leaves were used as a medicinal tea by Native Americans. You'll find them now attracting lots of bees, wasps, butterflies, and beetles. (Pycnanthemum spp, Lamiaceae) Union county
June 11 .
June 10
Queen Anne's Lace is a favorite roadside flower for the summer here, and is often found mixed with orange daylilies. Neither are native, but were orignally imported from Europe and have naturalized. Look for the dark floret in the center. Daucus carota, Apiaceae, is in the carrot family and is sometimes call Wild Carrot. If you grow carrots in your vegetable garden let some of them go to seed and you will see that the flowers look just like Queen Anne's Lace! (Hall County)
June 11
Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana, Commelinaceae) can be found along sunny/shady hiking trails about now. Botanists have discovered that spiderwort is a good indicator for environmental problems due to its sensitivity to radiation and pollution. (Appalachian Trail near Woody Gap)
June 12
Our native hydrangea in the North Georgia Mountains is Hydrangea arborescens, Saxifragaceae. When the tiny woodland wildflowers are no longer prominent, the shrubs brighten up the dark cool places. Gardens on Green, Hall County
June 13
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga americana, Ranunculaceae) was used by Native Americans to treat snakebite, and thus Black Snake Root is another common name. You'll notice the tall "candlesticks" of tiny white flowers in shady places along mountain roadsides. Union County
June 14
St. John's Wort (Hypericum spp, Hypericaceae) includes more than 20 species in the lower Appalachians. Named for St. John, they have been used medicinally for many generations. (Union County)
June 15
The roadsides are brightening every day as more golden asters open blooms. Tickseed Coreopsis (Coreopsis major, Asteraceae) has two "opposite" leaves that are deeply divided into three lobes, appearing to be a whirl of six leaves.
June 17
June 16
Blackberry Cobbler by July 4th?
June 17
Look for butterflies anytime you see these members of the Milkweed family. The budded flowerhead will be Mountain Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata). The one with pink buds and white flowers is Four-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia). The orange ones are Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Protect these plants if you have them. Rescue them from rescue sites. Collect a few seeds and scatter them in your backyard habitat if it is sunny. Migrating monarchs will find them and visit you every summer. Union County
June 18
Downy False Foxglove
(Aureolaria flava, Scrophulariaceae)
Lake Winfield Scott
June 19
This is a Doll's Eyes flower from April, and Doll's Eyes seeds forming in June. The fully ripe Doll's Eye's berries can be found in September. (Actaea pachypoda, Ranunculaceae) Another common name is Baneberry.
June 20 is the Summer Solstice here. Even now, at the beginning of summer, our native plants will soon sense that the days are getting shorter.
June 21
Trail banks in June are often dotted with yellow. These small flowers are showy because they usually grow in large colonies. Rattlesnake Weed (Hieracium venosum, Asteraceae) can be identified easily by the basel rosettes of fuzzy leaves with distinctive dark veins. Tallulah Falls State Park.
June 22
This is not a flower that you would pick for a bouquet, but a close look shows the delicate colors and interesting growth pattern. Its name, Heal All, tells you that it has been a gift for "healers" down through history. A book on medicinal plants, or a check on the internet, will give you a LONG list of its chemical properites. The family name shows that it is in the mint family. (Prunella vulgaris, Lamiaceae)
June 23
An eye-catching spot alongside the trail: A fallen Mountain Laurel blossom, on Galax leaves, beside a few pine needles. I'm glad I looked down!
June 24
The blooms of Bowman's Root, or Indian Physic, are so delicate that the two foot tall plants just seem to be covered with white fluff. Stop and take a closer look, however, and you'll see the soft colors. Another common name, False Ipecac, tells you that it was used to induce vomiting when needed. (Gillenia trifoliata, Rosaceae)
June 25
Northern Maidenhair
Christmas Fern
(It's been there all winter!)
Royal Fern
New York Ferns have lacy fronds which get smaller in size toward the bottom.
Cinnamon ferns can grow to be three feet tall in a shady wet place. You'll see a tall stalk covered with "cinnamon" soon.
Take a walk down a shady mountain path in June and you will be amazed at the variety of ferns that have popped up during the spring months. Ferns reproduce by spores. Take a look at the back of the fronds during the summer to look for the spore cases. Some ferns, however, will send up spikes topped with spore cases. (Jarard Gap Trail, Union County)
If it has a dark stem, it's a Lady Fern.
June 26
With grasslike leaves and a tall flower stalk, Fly Poison is in the Lily family. All parts of the plant are poisonous and history tells that pioneers mixed chopped parts of the plant with sugar water to kill flies. The BEAUTIFUL delicate flowers seem strangely inappropriate for a plant with such a sinister use! (Amiantheum musitoxicum, Liliaceae) Union County
June 27
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum, Caprifoliaceae)
is another white blooming shrub of June. The leaves are distinctively "viburnum." Its sturdy wood was used for arrows by Native Americans, and its blue berries are late summer treats for birds. Union County.
June 28
Northeast Georgia has two common native rhododendrons: Catawba (R. catawbiense) in May, and Rosebay (R. maximum) which blooms at the end of June. This Rosebay Rhododendron opens with gorgeous buds, turning to delicate blooms that decorate woodlands through our Fourth of July celebrations.
(Union County)
June 29
Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus, Rosaceae) is covered with tiny white flowers that have characteristics of the rose family. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants. Goatsbeard is a great example of a plant with very inconspicuous individual flowers, but with flower clusters that catch our eyes when we spot this 3 to 4 foot tall plant along mountain roadsides. (Union County near Sosebee Cove)
June 30
Bowman's Root and Fire Pinks nestled in granite crevices.
