11 species of flowering plants at Lake Herrick
NOTE: All pictures on this page are by Gigi Gonsalves
Canada Goldenrod, Solidago altissima
A perennial herb that blooms in summer and autumn and is very widespread across North America and in many other countries. A single plant can have as many as 1,000 flower heads, and it can grow as high as 1-2 meters. Canada is one of its origins, hence its name. Also, it's a very important pollinator attractor thanks to its bright yellow color.
A perennial herb that blooms in summer and autumn and is very widespread across North America and in many other countries. A single plant can have as many as 1,000 flower heads, and it can grow as high as 1-2 meters. Canada is one of its origins, hence its name. Also, it's a very important pollinator attractor thanks to its bright yellow color.
Woodland Sunflower, Helianthus divaricates
A perennial herb flower that’s very showy and thrives in the sun. These flowers hybridize easily as they spread through creeping rhizomes and seeds, and their seeds are an excellent source of food for wild birds.
A perennial herb flower that’s very showy and thrives in the sun. These flowers hybridize easily as they spread through creeping rhizomes and seeds, and their seeds are an excellent source of food for wild birds.
White Clover, Trifolium repens
Another perennial herb from Europe that can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. They’re often cultivated as forage plants and are used for green manure in agriculture. They symbolize prayer and hope and help support pollinators with their pollen.
Another perennial herb from Europe that can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. They’re often cultivated as forage plants and are used for green manure in agriculture. They symbolize prayer and hope and help support pollinators with their pollen.
Spotted Touch-Me-Not's, Impatiens capensis
An annual wildflower native to North America with bright orange flowers that have darker orange or red spots. They bloom in summer and autumn (depending on the specificity of varieties). The name comes from the fact that when their seed pods mature, the lightest touch causes them to expel their seeds in a reaction called dehiscence (essentially, the seeds burst out). Also, they’re mildly toxic. Nonetheless, they’re beautiful and attractive to visitors.
An annual wildflower native to North America with bright orange flowers that have darker orange or red spots. They bloom in summer and autumn (depending on the specificity of varieties). The name comes from the fact that when their seed pods mature, the lightest touch causes them to expel their seeds in a reaction called dehiscence (essentially, the seeds burst out). Also, they’re mildly toxic. Nonetheless, they’re beautiful and attractive to visitors.
Amur Honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii
Deciduous shrub that blooms in spring and summer, known for the sweet smell of its elegant white flowers. Spreads very quickly and grows vigorously, thus it sometimes is considered a threat to forest ecosystems, as it forms dense thickets that prevent the growth and development of native species.
Deciduous shrub that blooms in spring and summer, known for the sweet smell of its elegant white flowers. Spreads very quickly and grows vigorously, thus it sometimes is considered a threat to forest ecosystems, as it forms dense thickets that prevent the growth and development of native species.
Oriental Lady's Thumb (Knotweed), Persicaria longiseta
Native to Asia, it is a common weed in rice paddies. It’s also found in Europe and North America where it is still considered a weed (but an attractive source of pollen). It thrives in moist, wet soils like floodplains, marshes, mudflats and levees. Overall, it’s consideran an annual and perennial herb, blooming in summer and autumn.
Native to Asia, it is a common weed in rice paddies. It’s also found in Europe and North America where it is still considered a weed (but an attractive source of pollen). It thrives in moist, wet soils like floodplains, marshes, mudflats and levees. Overall, it’s consideran an annual and perennial herb, blooming in summer and autumn.
Wingstem (Verbesina), Verbesina alternifolia
Native to wooded areas in eastern and central North America, this perennial herb (also known as yellow ironweed) blooms in the summer and autumn and attracts primarily moths and butterflies by serving as their larval host (meaning that the plant provides the babies of moths and butterflies a safe place to stay).
Native to wooded areas in eastern and central North America, this perennial herb (also known as yellow ironweed) blooms in the summer and autumn and attracts primarily moths and butterflies by serving as their larval host (meaning that the plant provides the babies of moths and butterflies a safe place to stay).
Purplestem Aster, Symphyotrichum puniceum
A flowering perennial herb native to North America that's also known as the swamp aster and the meadow scabish. It blooms in the summer and autumn and can grow up to 8 feet tall. Like most flowering plants, it's a pollinator attractor thanks to its nice purple color and abundance.
A flowering perennial herb native to North America that's also known as the swamp aster and the meadow scabish. It blooms in the summer and autumn and can grow up to 8 feet tall. Like most flowering plants, it's a pollinator attractor thanks to its nice purple color and abundance.
Prickly Sida (Fanpetals), Sida spinosa
A broadleaf herb that can be both annual and perennial (depending on specific species type. it commonly invades crops, pastures and roadsides (in other words, it grows very quickly and vigorously). Importantly, small flowers bloom during bright mornings mid-summer to early fall, and they attract many different types of bees and butterflies.
A broadleaf herb that can be both annual and perennial (depending on specific species type. it commonly invades crops, pastures and roadsides (in other words, it grows very quickly and vigorously). Importantly, small flowers bloom during bright mornings mid-summer to early fall, and they attract many different types of bees and butterflies.
Common Lantana, Lantana camara
This vibrant and colorful small shrub is a perennial that produces numerous flowers throughout a rather long season. It looks great in garden borders and hedges, but when grown in the wild without any control, it is capable of becoming highly invasive. Interestingly, its branches, leaves and flowers can volatilize odor that is sensitive for mosquitoes and flies but not harmful to humans (so it acts as a natural mosquito repellent, another reason why it's so popular in gardens).
This vibrant and colorful small shrub is a perennial that produces numerous flowers throughout a rather long season. It looks great in garden borders and hedges, but when grown in the wild without any control, it is capable of becoming highly invasive. Interestingly, its branches, leaves and flowers can volatilize odor that is sensitive for mosquitoes and flies but not harmful to humans (so it acts as a natural mosquito repellent, another reason why it's so popular in gardens).
Devil’s Darning Needles (Clematis), Clematis virginiana
A climbing perennial vine native to the Southeastern United States that is commonly planted in gardens around the world, because the vines attach by delicate tendrils and thus don't harm their supporting structures. Additionally, they're attractive to bees and hummingbirds and are deer resistant. The white flowers on the vine bloom through the summer. It's name comes from European and American superstition that the devil himself sent the vines to earth (as its flowers are actually toxic when eaten).
A climbing perennial vine native to the Southeastern United States that is commonly planted in gardens around the world, because the vines attach by delicate tendrils and thus don't harm their supporting structures. Additionally, they're attractive to bees and hummingbirds and are deer resistant. The white flowers on the vine bloom through the summer. It's name comes from European and American superstition that the devil himself sent the vines to earth (as its flowers are actually toxic when eaten).
For more flowering plant species found at Lake Herrick, click on the button below (as we couldn't include an exhaustive list on this page):