Appalachian
Treasure Hunt
Journaling Native Plants of Northeast Georgia
J. Whalen
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares drop off like Autumn Leaves." John Muir
September 1
Blackgum, or tupelo, trees start dropping a few of their oval red leaves in July, but by September their blazing red color is an unmistakable sign that summer is over. (Nyssa sylvatica, Nyssaceae) Union County
September 2
Sourwood trees (Oxydendron arboreum, Ericaceae) along the roadsides demonstrate clearly that pink can be an autumn color!
September 3
September 3
Purple asters start peeking out from around all the golden asters as soon as September gets here. This is Late Purple Aster (Symphotrichum patens, Asteraceae).
September 4
Silkgrass Asters are one of the last golden asters of the blooming season. The clusters of yellow flowers grow about two feet high, but look on the ground to see that the leaves are grasslike and covered with silky silver fibers. (Pityopsis graminifolia, Asteraceae) Lumpkin County
September 5
These brilliant purple berries are the reason for the common name of this native shrub: Beauty Berry. The tiny inconspicuous flowers of spring often go unappreciated but the insects that pollinate them are essential for the reward of this September color. (Callicarpa americana, Lamiaceae) Hall County
September 6
The shy white flowers of the Clematis virginiana blooming in August turn into these eye-catching seedpods by September. Union County
September 7
Another of the late-blooming golden asters is Maryland Golden Aster (Chrysopsis mariana, Asteraceae). These beauties, usually about four feet tall, line our roadsides in September. They are about the same color as the goldenrods, but a closer looks shows their "daisy" form. (Hall County)
September 8
An unusual sight with a catchy common name: Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia asarifolia, Saxifragaceae) is a September lucky find. Look in boggy places or along creekbanks. (Fannin County)
September 9
If you can take a hike at the end of a rainy week in September you're likely to find a multitude of different mushrooms along your way. They're in the fungus kingdom, not the plant kingdom, but they make a walk in the woods magical!
September 10
Hearts-a-Bustin' seedpods are eye-catching this month, and it's hard to believe that they formed from two tiny, inconspicuous white flowers in spring. This plant is a shrub with many common names: strawberry bush, swamp dogwood, spindlebush arrowwood, wahoo, and more.(Euonymous americanus, Celastraceae) (Rabun County)
September 11
Nodding Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes cernua, Orchidaceae), like many members of the orchid family, have to be appreciated on your hands and knees. It is usually sighted while looking for other, showier, September flowers. It's definitely worth the effort to take a closer look at it, as well as its cousin, Slender Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes gracilis, Orchidaceae)
September 12
Tall Bitterweed (Helenium autumnale, Asteraceae), is also called sneezeweed. Blooming along with the ragweed, it can be a reason to stay indoors if you are allergic to its pollen. Native Americans, however, made a snuff with it to clear nasel passages when they developed a head cold.
(Towns County)
September 13
The flowers of Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia, Asteraceae) almost always appear slightly "wind blown", but their bright yellow color is eyecatching enough for hikers and bees alike. Look for the "wings" on the stems. White County
September 14
September is the time to spot persimmons forming on woodland trees in Northeast Georgia. A seasoned "forager" will look at this one and know that it is NOT ready to eat. But by October it will be sweet and juicy enough to eat from the tree, or mash to use in banana bread recipes. (Diospiros virginiana, Ebenaceae) (Hall County)
September 15
Snakeroot, which appears in September in huge numbers, makes up for its tiny white flowers by forming a showy display alongside the goldenrods. Reddish stems help with identification. The common name reflects the fact that the plant is toxic. Farmers were careful not to let their cows eat the plant and pass the toxicity along in their milk. (Ageratina altissimo, Asteraceae) Union County
September 16
Horse-balm (Collinsonia serotina, Lamiaceae) is a sturdy common plant found in shady, damp places. It's definitely not a winner in the September beauty contest, but is in the mint family and has an interesting anise scent. From the common name, it's easy to guess that it was important to horses in the time before veterinarians.
September 17
A tiny "forest" of Pinesap forms near a fallen log. A saprophyte, this plant does not photosynthesize but gets its nourishment from a fungus found under oaks or pines. (Monotropa hypopitys, Monotropaceae) Union County
September 18
Finally a friendly Apiaciae (white umbels with multiple flowers) after all the poison ones. This is common lovage (Ligusticum canadense) Union County
September 19
Dogwoods are at their showy best in April when our azaleas bloom. But in September when their leaves become tinted with red they are one of the first signs of fall. And surprise! Among the red leaves are the "buttons" which will become next April's big white flowers. (Cornus florida, Cornaceae) Hall County
September 20
Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis, Asteraceae) is without question a "weed." But don't tell that to the migtrating songbirds flying south for the winter. They are happy to see the abundance of seeds which supply energy for their long trips. The fluffy seeds are found along roadsides in every county in Northeast Georgia.
September 21
Another one of our native sumacs is Winged Sumac (Rhus copallina, Anacardiaceae). Look at the rachis, or "stem" of the leaflets, to see the "wings." The leaflets are tinted red already. Don Carter State Park
September 22
Black Walnut trees were a valuable asset to early pioneers. The nuts came along in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. If you had to make your own furniture you would be lucky to have access to this tree's strong, durable, and beautifully grained wood. It is in the Hickory family. (Juglans nigra, Juglandaceae) Hall County
The sun passes directly over the equator today. Tomorrow it begins to make a smaller and smaller arc over the southern hemisphere until December 21 when it starts moving north again. This "Equinox" (day and night are equal) marks the first day of Fall!
September 23
Our native Muscadine Grape (Vitis rotundifolia, Vitaceae) was also a welcome find in the woods, if you had a family to feed. Grape jelly would make a fine dessert if you had biscuits to go with it. Don Carter State Park
September 24
Dog Fennel has been a greenish presence along the roadside for a while but when the tiny white flowers appear in September, they are finally visible. The foliage and flowers are aromatic. The seeds are a welcome sight to migrating songbirds. (Eupatorium compositifolium, Asteraceae)
September 25
Tulip Poplers are the first of our fall yellows. By the end of October the tall straight trees will be covered with hundreds of lemon yellow leaves fluttering in the breeze. (Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnoliaceae) Don Carter State Park
September 26
Berries begin to appear on many of our native shrubs. To the right is Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum,Ericaceae) and to the left is American Holly (Ilex opaca, Ericaceae). Birds and animals depend on these berries to get them through the winter months. Don Carter State Park.
September 27
Marsh Fleabane is a plant you will occasionally find growing along the banks of freshwater lakes and other sunny marshy places. (Pluchea camphorata, Asteraceae) Don Carter State Park
September 28
Bur Marigold (Bidens laevis, Asteraceae) is one of the last golden asters to bloom, and can be found growing near Marsh Fleabane in marshy places and along lakesides. Unlike many of the late summer and fall asters, it is only about two feet tall. (Don Carter State Park)
September 29
These elderberry berries will turn black during the next month and will be a valuable food source for migrating birds.
September 30
One Elephant's Foot in your yard may seem like a weed, but a blue mass of them along a roadside in September is a pleasant contrast to all the yellows. (Elephantopas tomentosa, Asteraceae) Towns County
"The Autumn with which we live is as variable as the wind, the weather, the land itself. It's schedule is that of the woodland trees, the wild grasses, the migrant birds. Go to northern Maine and you can walk with frost. Go to North Carolina and you can bask in late summer sun. Travel north or south and you touch the year in another place. Stay where you are and it comes to you in its own time."
Hal Borland
