Archived Free Pictures of Flowers

Looking north across the big meadow north of Crawford Notch. The forest beyond is a typical mix of green spruce and oak with blazing red beech, while most of the birches have already lost their leaves. In the meadow are wilted black-eyed Susans, lupines, and goldenrods holding their seeds until the winter winds scatter them. Early fall, White Mountain National Forest.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Late summer, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Some sort of fly or perhaps a wasp on a stiff aster (Aster linariifolius). Late summer, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Some sort of fly or perhaps a wasp on a stiff aster (Aster linariifolius). Late summer, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus) and showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). Summer, Mizpah Springs Hut, White Mountain National Forest.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Summer, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest.

Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum) in fruit. Summer, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest.

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Late summer, Mine Falls Park

Water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) raises its little white flower above the Mill Pond. I'm not certain, but this plant, the most common large plant in the Mill Pond and the Nashua Canal, is probably an invasive species. Mallards eat it, and fish fry use it as cover, but it nearly chokes the pond, especially in the latter half of summer when it blooms. The thousands of tiny floating leaves are duckweed (Lemna minor), which may be the most common small plant in the pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park

A huge patch of pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) in a shallow bay of the Mill Pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park

Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) in bloom. Summer, Mine Falls Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor) on the edge of the Mill Pond. There are many stands of "feral" iris, escaped from cultivation and reverting to a wild state, throughout Mine Falls Park, but this is the true ancestral wild form. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum) in bud. Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Many meadow flowers hold their seeds all winter, dropping them in the spring. I don't know the species of these. Late winter, White Mountain National Forest

Many meadow flowers hold their seeds all winter, dropping them in the spring. I don't know the species of these. Late winter, White Mountain National Forest

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) almost ready to bloom, surrounded by budding Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) almost ready to bloom, surrounded by budding Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense). These orchids are rather rare in Mine Falls Park. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum). Notice the rippled leaves and petals that give this plant is scientific name. Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum). Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) in bloom. Early summer, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) still bears one of last season's berries even as it blossoms. Early summer, Eastman Meadow Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) growing on mud. There is clearly water here sometimes, but not right now. Early summer, Bouchard Bridge, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) blooming beside the trail at the western end of Bouchard Bridge. Early summer, Bouchard Bridge, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella). Early summer, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) with some sort of wasp (family Vespidae) on it. Summer, Riverside Office Park, Andover, MA

Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) with some sort of wasp (family Vespidae) on it. Summer, Riverside Office Park, Andover, MA

Pink ladys slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) beginning to bloom, surrounded by fallen twigs of red spruce (Picea rubens). Many spruce twigs litter the ground in the spring, but I don't quite know why. Spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Looking down from the top of Arethusa Falls. I'm on the south side, before I head upstream to cross. The ledge where I usually kick back is the uppermost rock on the left. A sprig of swamp honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum) overhangs the waterfall from the right. It blooms almost a month later here than down in Nashua. Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Looking south along the cliff from the top of Arethusa Falls. Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

The Saco River flows through a flowery meadow near the Dry River Campground. Late spring, Saco River, Crawford Notch State Park

Mosses and other plants line the cracks in the pink granite beside the Saco River. There are many veins of pink granite in the Crawford Notch area, including this one near the Dry River Campground. In the foreground, gravel dropped by the river in flood lies atop the more common gray granite. Late spring, Saco River, Crawford Notch State Park

Lupines (Lupinus perennis) and orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca) bathe the meadow near the Elephant Head Trail Head in a riot of color. Late spring, Elephant Head Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Fall, Mine Falls Park

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) beside the road near the Crawford Path trail head. Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) usually grows in shady forests, but here it is in the sunny bog between Mount Pierce and Mount Jackson. Late spring, Webster Cliff Trail, White Mountain National Forest

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) is very common in the sunny bogs on the shoulder between Mount Pierce and Mount Jackson. It is also very common in drier, shady lowland forests in New Hamphsire. Late spring, Webster Cliff Trail, White Mountain National Forest

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) is very common in the sunny bogs on the shoulder between Mount Pierce and Mount Jackson. It is also very common in drier, shady lowland forests in New Hamphsire. Late spring, Webster Cliff Trail, White Mountain National Forest

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum). This one has unusually large leaves, though the flower is not unusually large and the plant is not unusually tall. Late spring, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum) with unusually large leaves, and my hand in the picture for scale. Late spring, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum) with normal-sized leaves, and my hand in the picture for scale. Late spring, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest

Three painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) in a dense bed of goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica). Late spring, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum). Sometimes the petals are so thin they are translucent and have a bluish appearance. Late spring, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest

Northern white violet (Viola pallens). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Northern white violet (Viola pallens) growing in a mossy crack between two rocks, practically in the river. This is a moisture-loving species. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Northern white violet (Viola pallens). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) growing on a shelf of rock right at the shore of Saco Lake. Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) growing on a shelf of rock right at the shore of Saco Lake. Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) growing on a shelf of rock right at the shore of Saco Lake. Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum). Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) and other small plants in a pocket of soil on the side of a rock face overhanging Saco Lake. Late spring, Saco Lake, Crawford Notch State Park

Strawberry fields forever. Wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) blanket a meadow near Elephant Head. Late spring, Crawford Notch State Park

Blueberry fields forever. Low-bush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) blanket a meadow near the Crawford Path trail head. Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Bunchberry fields forever. Bunchberries (Cornus canadensis) blanket the roadside near the Crawford Path trail head. It's a bit unusual to see bunchberries growing out in the open like this. They usually grow in shady forests. And I don't think I've ever seen such a wide patch of them. (I know you're really enjoying this joke, but I'm afraid I'm all out of berry blossom pictures for now.) Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Late spring, White Mountain National Forest

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Here in the shade, it grows a little less densely than usual, and you can see by the nearly straight-line arrangement of these plants that it is actually a single plant consisting of a perennial underground rhizome that puts up annual shoots of flowers and leaves. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Close-up view of the flower cluster of the Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Notice how it curves rather abruptly in a 90-degree angle. The nearly vertical part of the stem has no leaves, and the nearly horizontal part has pairs of large leaves. Pairs of green flowers, like little bells, hang below the stem, one pair of flowers for each pair of leaves. In the background, near the tree, is a very similar false Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). It's kind of unusual to see them both growing together. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). In this view from beneath, you can see the pairs of flowers hanging below each pair of leaves (and the whole thing dripping with rain, which fell constantly in the early part of my camping trip). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Viewing the plant from above, you can see the alternating pattern of the leaves and the parallel veins in each leaf. You can also see that the leaves nearer the end of the plant (lower right) are slightly curved toward the end of the plant, a subtle effect that differentiates this plant from the false Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum) standing above a bed of smooth yellow violets (Viola pensylvanica). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). This plant is very similar to smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum) except that it bears its flowers in a large cluster at the end of the stalk rather than hanging below the stalk. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). This plant is very similar to smooth Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum) except that it bears its flowers in a large cluster at the end of the stalk rather than hanging below the stalk. Other, more subtle differences show in this picture, such as the less abrupt right-angle bend to the stalk. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Close-up of the flower cluster of false Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa), with a black beetle on it. Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

In early June, one corner of my campsite was awash in smooth yellow violets (Viola pensylvanica). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth yellow violet (Viola pensylvanica). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth yellow violet (Viola pensylvanica). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Smooth yellow violet (Viola pensylvanica). Late spring, Dry River Campground, Crawford Notch State Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor). There are many stands of "feral" iris, escaped from cultivation and reverting to a wild state, throughout Mine Falls Park, but this is the true ancestral wild form. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor). There are many stands of "feral" iris, escaped from cultivation and reverting to a wild state, throughout Mine Falls Park, but this is the true ancestral wild form. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor). There are many stands of "feral" iris, escaped from cultivation and reverting to a wild state, throughout Mine Falls Park, but this is the true ancestral wild form. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) in bloom. We don't think of clusters of little white flowers when we think of poison ivy, but there they are. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) in bloom. We don't think of clusters of little white flowers when we think of poison ivy, but there they are. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

A thicket of false Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa) on the bank of the Mill Pond. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa) close up. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosa) close up. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

A steep hillside overlooking the narrow west end of the Mill Pond is covered with great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) and young maples (Acer sp.). Great laurel is one of the most common shrubs in the wooded areas of Mine Falls Park, but it is only conspicuous when it blooms in spring and summer, and when its leathery leaves are the only green thing in the forest understory in the dead of winter. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum). This may be the same species as the rhododendrons in your garden. Many, even the wild ones, have pink flowers, but nearly all of the wild ones in New Hampshire have white flowers. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum). This may be the same species as the rhododendrons in your garden. Many, even the wild ones, have pink flowers, but nearly all of the wild ones in New Hampshire have white flowers. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum). This may be the same species as the rhododendrons in your garden. Many, even the wild ones, have pink flowers, but nearly all of the wild ones in New Hampshire have white flowers. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella). Looks like a spindly dandelion, even more so than the common yellow hawkweek (H. pratense). It is also an invader from Eurasia. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) close up. Note the "ragged" ends of the ray florets, which give the plant its name. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Fallen blossoms litter the ground beneath the maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina). I heard a plopping sound, as if a rainstorm had passed hours ago and drops were still falling off the leaves, but it was actually these falling flowers. Spring, Mine Falls Park

A maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina) losing its blossoms. Some fall of while still white, leaving empty stems, and others are turning brown and withering but remaining on the bush. I'm guessing some have been pollinated and others simply died off, but I don't know if the pollinated ones fall or turn brown. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense) beside the trail. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense) beside the trail. Spring, Mine Falls Park

High-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) blossoms overhanging the trail. They are rather uncommon in Mine Falls Park. Spring, Mine Falls Park

The western bank of the Nashua Canal is carpeted with violets (Viola sororia) and alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum) peeking out from the grass. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) just about to bloom. It blooms later than hobblebush (V. alnifolium) and is more common at lower elevations. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) just about to bloom. This may be the most common understory shrub in the vicinity of the Mill Pond, and is the same species as the rhododendrons you may have in your garden. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) just about to bloom. Notice the fresh, pale green leaves of the plant's new growth, replacing the deep green leaves of last year, tattered and bruised from the past winter. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi) losing its blossoms in late spring. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) typically has three spherical clusters of tiny flowers. Anywhere from none to four would not be unusual, but this plant with six flower clusters is extraordinary. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) forms broad blankets of green and white throughout Mine Falls Park from late spring until mid-summer. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), not yet in bloom. Notice the distinctive and improbable structure of this plant. A bare stem rises more than a foot above the ground before sprouting a whorl of five to ten leaves, then nearly a foot above that is another whorl of three or four leaves. In another week or so, several little green flowers, in typical lily form if not color, will emerge and hang down below the top whorl of leaves. Although the plant is generally rare, there are quite a few in one small area near the lower end of the Marion Davis Trail. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), not yet in bloom. Looking straight down from above the plant, we see three buds that will soon bloom, and the two tiers of leaves below them. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

White Mandarin (Streptopus amplexifolius), not quite fully open. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

White Mandarin (Streptopus amplexifolius). In this picture, you can see the peculiar bent or twisted shape of the stems of the plant. The genus name derives from a Greek phrase meaning "twisted stalk." Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is very common around the summit of Pack Monadnock, growing in the cracks of the bare rock around the fire tower, and along the northern Wapack Trail. Despite the "highbush" part of the name, it is sometimes just as low as the "lowbush" species (V. angustifolium), especially where it grows in cracks in the bedrock, like this one. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) blossoms. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) blossoms. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) blossoms. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Northern white violet (Viola pallens) growing beside a rock which forms a stepping-stone across the only stream on the southern Wapack Trail on the west side of Pack Monadnock. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Northern white violet (Viola pallens). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Northern white violet (Viola pallens). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium) is very abundant near the summit of Pack Monadnock on the eastern side of the mountain. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium) is very abundant near the summit of Pack Monadnock on the eastern side of the mountain. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium). Compare the size to the two acorn caps beside it. "Dwarf" indeed. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium) growing in a rather dense little patch. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

In the poor, rocky, dry soil of the western slopes of Pack Monadnock, a rotting stump is paradise, if only for a few years, for small plants like these Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Low-bush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) in bloom. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Low-bush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) in bloom. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis) is more common and blooms a little earlier on the west side of Pack Monadnock than on the east side. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

A small bee (Apis sp.) sipping nectar from a blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

A small bee (Apis sp.) sipping nectar from a blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) surrounded by starflowers (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) carpets large areas of the dry coniferous forest just west of the summit of Pack Monadnock. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) sometimes has four petal-like sepals, sometimes five or six. Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) with its little strawberry-like leaves among the larger leaves of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

An oak (Quercus sp.) in bloom. For all the flowers in each cluster, you usually never see more than about four acorns in a cluster when they ripen. Spring, Pack Monadnock

A maple (Acer sp.) casting its whirling winged seeds to the spring breeze. Spring, Pack Monadnock

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum). This one is past the peak of blooming. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Purple trillium (Trillium erectum). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Sister violet (Viola sororia). The hairy leaves and flower stalks distinguish it from the nearly identical common blue violet (V. papilionacea). This one has been partially eaten. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Sister violet (Viola sororia). The hairy leaves and flower stalks distinguish it from the nearly identical common blue violet (V. papilionacea). This one has been partially eaten. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). Although the species is called the "pink" ladys slipper, individual flowers are often white. Near the summit of Pack Monadnock along the Marion Davis Trail is a substantial concentration of "white" ladys slippers. I don't know whether the lack of pigment is genetic or environmental, or whether the concentration of white flowers here is simply a fluke. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). One of many white flowers near the summit of Pack Monadnock along the Marion Davis Trail. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). One of many white flowers near the summit of Pack Monadnock along the Marion Davis Trail. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). This one is among the shortest I've seen. Compare it to the diminutive leaves of the Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), which are barely four inches tall. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) varies considerably in height. Most are just under a foot tall, as the tallest in this cluster, but a few are taller and many are shorter. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). It's not too unusual for a newly-opened flower to be white and become pink as it opens. We see some of that progression here, as the budding flower in rear center is white, and the slightly larger one in foreground center is more pinkish, and the two at left and right are fully pink. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule) demonstrating some of its considerable variation in height. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). This one is deep pink, and is surrounded by starflowers (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis). Plants like this used to confuse me. The National Audubon Society's Field Guide to North American Wildflowers says you can tell the difference between wild sarsaparilla and wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) because sarsaparilla has the flowers on a separate stalk and the leaves stand higher than the flowers, while ginseng has flowers on the same stalk as the leaves, and which stand higher than the leaves. This plant, and a few others I have seen, has its flowers on a separate stalk from the leaves, but standing higher than the leaves! Now that I know these plants well, I can say for sure that this is wild sarsaparilla. Notice that its leaves are sort of wrinkled. This plant is suffering some kind of disease or other distress that stunted the growth of its leaves, but without affecting the flowers much. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

This unfortunate wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) has grown up right through a little hole in a fallen leaf from last year. Unless it can spread its leaves quickly, it will not get enough energy to put on much growth this year. Notice that it has no flowers. Perhaps it did not produce flowers because it was not getting enough nourishing sunlight. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Starflower (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

A dense carpet of starflowers (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Canadian dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis). Spring, Elkins Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Dog violet (Viola conpersa). Spring, Elkins Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum). These are rather unusual. Everywhere in New Hampshire, the only bluets I see are the alpine variety, with white petals, instead of the main variety, with blue petals. This one bunch is pale blue, maybe halfway between the main variety and the usual alpine variety. Is this just a pale bluet? An unusually blue alpine bluet? A hybrid of the two varieties? Where are the other main-variety bluets? How come I only see this one bunch of five bluish bluets among uncountable millions of white bluets in New Hampshire? When you open your eyes to observe nature, you never run out of questions. Spring, Elkins Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Unknown "swamp violet" (Viola sp.). The flower and structural features of the plant look like the common blue violet (V. papilionacea), but the plant is very tall. Its 18 inch height is nearly triple that of the common blue violet. It is growing on very muddy ground on the shore of a swamp. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Unknown "swamp violet" (Viola sp.). The flower and structural features of the plant look like the common blue violet (V. papilionacea), but the plant is very tall. Its 18 inch height is nearly triple that of the common blue violet. It is growing on very muddy ground on the shore of a swamp. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Unknown "swamp violet" (Viola sp.). The flower and structural features of the plant look like the common blue violet (V. papilionacea), but the plant is very tall. Its 18 inch height is nearly triple that of the common blue violet. It is growing on very muddy ground on the shore of a swamp. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

A rather dense cluster of bunchberry (Cornus canadensis). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

An unused dirt road is carpeted with Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense), on its way to reverting to forest. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Pink lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). Though some of these "pink" orchids are very pale, even white, this one is very pink. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Three lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Three lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

A rather dense collection of lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) in a clearing blanketed with starflowers (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia) is surprisingly common in Beaver Brook. Though it looks like an orchid, this plant is actually a type of milkwort, somewhat related to the pea family. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia) frequently has two flowers per plant. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Starflower (Trientalis borealis) and fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

The Beaver Brook area has more thoroughly mixed groundcover than most places I know. Instead of a wide swath of one plant here and another there, all types of plants are everywhere! In this picture, we see New Hampshire's ubiquitous Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Beaver Brook's equally ubiquitous partridge berry (Mitchella repens), numerous fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia), and quite a few other small plants. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia) is an underground creeper that puts up leaves and flowers here and there. This is clearly seen in this picture, where five plants appear in nearly a straight line. In fact, they are all one plant. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Starflower (Trientalis borealis) is very common along the Beaver Brook Trail, and plants with two flowers seem to be more common here than in most places where I see this plant. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Common winter cress (Barbarea vulgaris), an alien weed, is uncommon in the wooded areas of Mine Falls Park, but it is the first flower to brighten the highway medians in much of New England. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquifolia) going to seed. In late May, when spring is just getting underway for most flowers, wood anemone is reaching its autumn. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi) grows all around the Mill Pond, especially on the sunny northern shore. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi) grows all around the Mill Pond, especially on the sunny northern shore. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Morrow's honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowi) grows all around the Mill Pond, especially on the sunny northern shore. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) has odd spherical clusters of tiny greenish-whitish flowers. Three clusters on one plant is pretty typical. Some have two or one cluster, and quite a few have none. I guess the younger plants might produce fewer flowers. The flower and leaf stalks regrow every year, but the plant is a perennial, living as an underground rhizome for many years. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) leaves fade from purple to green as they grow and spread, eventualy nearly concealing the clusters of flowers. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) carpets much of Mine Falls Park in spring and early summer, here beside the trail on the south side of the Mill Pond. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Black chokecherry (Pyrus melanocarpa). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Celandine (Chelidonium majus), an ugly, spindly weed with pretty flowers on top. This European native is growing on the bank of the canal beside the abutment to the bridge near the high school. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) just about to bloom. The spherical clusters of greenish flowers emerge at about the same time as the umbrella of compound leaves, which will soon hide the blossoms. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) leaves just beginning to open. "(Nature's) early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour." (Nothing Gold Can Stay, Robert Frost) Spring, Mine Falls Park

Close-up of a starflower (Trientalis borealis). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Cluster of dandelions (Taraxacum sp.). I'm usually not interested in invasive, exotic, or cultivated plants, but after walking past hundreds of dandelions, I figured, why not? Spring, Mine Falls Park

Close-up of a dandelion (Taraxacum sp.). I've heard the quote many times, "If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be welcome on any lawn," and I suppose it's true enough. (I found a few sources that attribute that quote to Andrew V. Mason. My cousin the dentist tells me that Mason was a surgeon from the Boston area. Upon further research, I found that he is retired, and he is a source of a good many quotes on many subjects other than surgery.) Spring, Mine Falls Park

Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) with its cluster of flower buds just about to open. Spring, Mine Falls Park

A carpet of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) covers most of the shady to moderately sunny parts of Mine Falls Park from spring to fall. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Close-up of the cluster of tiny flowers of the Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Spring, Mine Falls Park

A flowering bough of maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina) overhanging the Mill Pond. Spring, Mine Falls Park

The tiny, bell-shaped flowers of the maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina) are pinkish when they first open, but then become white. Spring, Mine Falls Park

The tiny, bell-shaped flowers of the maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina) hang in dense clusters under the leafy branches. Spring, Mine Falls Park

A dense carpet of alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum) in a sunny clearing, with a couple of dandelions (Taraxacum sp.) and a few violets (Viola sororia) in the mix. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquifolia). Spring, Mine Falls Park

A carpet of Violets (Viola sororia) in a sunny spot. Most of the greenery here is Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), and not the leaves of the violets. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Close-up of a Violet (Viola sororia). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Violets (Viola sororia) often take on this odd double-flower appearance with no petals projecting to the sides. I don't know whether this is a mutant form, or if it is the result of an injury or what. These mishapen flowers occur among stands of normal flowers. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Here we clearly see the leaves of the violet (Viola sororia) with just a couple of flowers beside the plant. Spring, Mine Falls Park

A blanket of mixed violets (Viola sororia) and alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum) on the sunny western bank of the Nashua Canal. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Close-up of alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum). Spring, Mine Falls Park

A blanket of wood anemone (Anemone quinquifolia) beside the trail, with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) creeping in among them. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Close-up of wood anemone (Anemone quinquifolia). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) creeping over a boulder beside a tiny stream. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica). This plant can be difficult to identify. Most of the plant is a bright yellow underground runner (whence the name), which puts up a flower here, a stalk of leaves there, etc. Thus, the flower can be far removed from the leaves. Most of the leaves around this one are those of partridge berry (Mitchella repens). Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

To make identification even more difficult, goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) has varying numbers of petal-like sepals. Supposedly five to seven, this flower has only four, but I'm sure it's goldenthread. And the leaves nearest this flower are those of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), which is not blooming yet. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) exhibiting flowers with four, five, and six petal-like sepals. And very few of the leaves in this picture are goldenthread. There are a few, mostly under the pine needles, to the left of the four-sepal flower just above the vertical center of the picture. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

A goldenthread (Coptis groenlandica) flower with six petal-like sepals, surrounded by its leaves - the ones with three rather ragged leaflets. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

An unused dirt road is carpeted with Canada mayflowers (Maianthemum canadense), not yet in bloom, on its way to reverting to forest. Spring, Beaver Brook Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) in full bloom. I had never visited this part of the Beaver Brook Association lands until this spring, and I was very much surprised to find hobblebush at such low altitiude and latitude. As far as I know, this is the closest hobblebush to my home (about ten miles away). Spring, Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) in bloom. Some of the inner flowers are still green buds. Spring, Cow Lane, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) just beginning to bloom. The peripheral flowers are wide open, but have a slightly yellowish tinge, while the interior flowers are still just buds. Spring, Pack Monadnock

Eastern roundleaf yellow violets (Viola rotundifolia), also known as early yellow violets, peek out from under a pink granite boulder. Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Eastern roundleaf yellow violets (Viola rotundifolia) peek out from under a pink granite boulder. Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Eastern roundleaf yellow violets (Viola rotundifolia) on a steep slope, which they seem to prefer. Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Eastern roundleaf yellow violet (Viola rotundifolia). Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

The trail is veritably lined with eastern roundleaf yellow violets (Viola rotundifolia). Just a hundred feet farther along, the trail is buried in up to two feet of snow. Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

A trillium (Trillium sp.) just about ready to bloom. I can't be certain of the species at this early stage of growth, but I think this is purple trillium (T. erectum). Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Two trilliums (Trillium sp.) in bud. I'm pretty sure these are painted trillium (T. undulatum). Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

The distinctive sprouts of lupine (Lupinus perennis) make their appearance in the meadow near the Mount Jackson trail head. Spring, White Mountain National Forest

Closer look at sprouting lupine (Lupinus perennis). Spring, White Mountain National Forest

Meadow flowers sprouting in early spring. The star-like leaves on the left are lupine (Lupinus perennis), but I don't recognize the four-pointed ones on the right. Spring, White Mountain National Forest

Looking like a small tree beside the still-brown stand of cattails (Typha latifolia), this young swamp honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum) will eventually become a bush. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Blossoming boughs of swamp honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum) overhang the Mill Pond. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Blossoming boughs of swamp honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum) overhang the Mill Pond. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Ground cedar clubmoss (Lycopodium complanatum) has been green all winter, and now it is joined by the sprouts of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), not yet blooming, at the foot of a dead beech (Fagus grandifolia). Spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Shining clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum) and a budding trillium (Trillium sp.). I can't be certain of the species at this early stage of growth, but this is probably painted trillium (T. undulatum). Spring, Ripley Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquifolia), one of the first woodland flowers of the year, blooms at the foot of a still-dormant oak. Early spring, Pack Monadnock

The flowers of the wood anemone(Anemone quinquifolia) are often pink on the outside, like this one. Early spring, Pack Monadnock

Pussywillow (Salix discolor) catkins herald the spring. Early spring, Riverside Office Park, Andover, MA

Bright green skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) poking up through the sodden leaf litter of a swampy forest. When you think of spring flowers, skunk cabbage is probably not the first thing you think of, yet in many places, it is indeed the first plant to blossom. I have read that this plant can actually generate heat. I have seen its odd flowers poking up through holes in the otherwise frozen mud, so I can believe that the plant melted its way through the ice, but I don't know how. Notice that the plants on higher, drier ground are more mature, having emerged a few days earlier than those in standing water. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

The flower of the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) can be pale green with flecks and streaks of purple. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

Most often, the flower of the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is purple with pale green streaks. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

Sometimes the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) flower is purple with just a few flecks of green. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

Once in a while, the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) flower is just about solid purple. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

The flower of a skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) that is growing on nearly dry ground. I'm beginning to wonder if the difference in color is related to the age of the flower. (The plant itself is a perennial, with living rhizomes under the soil that survive the winter, but new flowers and leaves emerge each spring.) The flowers with more purple might be simply the ones that emerged earlier than the others, as this one did. The little two-leafed plants around the skunk cabbage are seedlings of touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis), which also loves damp soil. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

In this close view, you can see that the odd, leathery flower of the skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is not the flower at all, but a sheath (technically called a "spathe") that covers a spike ("spadix") of smaller florets. And confounding my hypothesis about color and age, this nearly solid purple flower is only lately emerged, as evidenced by the still-furled leaf spike which is not even as tall as the spathe. Early spring, Mine Falls Park

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) in bloom, exhibiting the odd clustered flowers. The flowers on the periphery of the cluster are much larger than those in the interior. Spring, Crawford Notch

An aster (Aster sp.) has set seed and is waiting for the wind to carry them away. I don't know the species. Fall, Pack Monadnock

Look at this varied little garden! I see lots of hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium), including one clustered blossom, two painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) in full bloom, over half a dozen bluebead lilies (Clintonia borealis) in bud, a little clump of shining clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum), and a maple sapling (Acer sp.), all framed by young hemlocks(Tsuga canadensis). Spring, Crawford Notch State Park

Alpine bluet (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum). Despite the name, the flowers are white with a yellow center. The main variety of this species is blue with a yellow center. And despite the "alpine" part of this variety’s name, all I ever see in New Hampshire are the white variety, whether on the mountain peaks, along the roadsides, and even in Mine Falls Park in Nashua, at the hardly-alpine altitude of 250 feet above sea level. Early summer, Mine Falls Park

This is how New Hampshire promotes the growth of native wildflowers. After the flowers have all set seed, this area will be mowed, and the clippings scattered over a wider area to spread the seeds. This technique has been very effective for many years, even if the sign is crooked. Early fall, White Mountain National Forest

A honeybee (Apis sp.) on New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), early fall, White Mountain National Forest

New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Close-up of New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), early fall, White Mountain National Forest

A honeybee (Apis sp.) on New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Honeybees (Apis sp.) on New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) setting seed in the meadow north of Crawford Notch, early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Close-up of a black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) seed head. This is one of the uncommon variety that has violet-colored rays instead of the more usual yellow. Early fall, White Mountain National Forest

A stand of black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) setting seed in the meadow north of Crawford Notch, early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Lupine (Lupinus perennis) seed pods in the meadow north of Crawford Notch, early fall, White Mountain National Forest

Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) has managed to grow and set fruit in the cracks among the boulders behind the beaver lodge in Saco Lake, early fall, Crawford Notch

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) along the shore of Saco Lake, early fall, Crawford Notch

Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) along the shore of Saco Lake, early fall, Crawford Notch

Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), also known as touch-me-not. The leaf, which normally obscures the flower stalk, has been eaten, allowing you to see clearly the odd structure of this flower. The stalk attaches near the front of the flower, leaving the "base" of the flower hanging in mid-air, curving back on itself. Late summer, Mine Falls Park

Rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), late summer, Mine Falls Park

Mixed undergrowth on the sunlit northern bank of Bemis Brook above Arethusa Falls, including stiff aster (Aster linariifolius), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium), and numerous ferns and grasses, late summer, Crawford Notch

Stiff aster (Aster linariifolius), late summer, Crawford Notch

Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), summer, Presidential Range

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus), summer, Presidential Range

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) in fruit, summer, Presidential Range

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis) in fruit. This is why this yellow flower is called the "blue-bead" lily. Summer, Presidential Range

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis) in fruit, summer, Presidential Range

A bumblebee (Bombus sp.) departs from a purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) with her pollen baskets full, summer, Mine Falls Park

A leaf beetle (possibly Acalymma sp.) on a showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), summer, Mine Falls Park

Wasp (family Vespidae) on a showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), summer, Mine Falls Park

Bumblebee (Bombus sp.) on a pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), summer, Mine Falls Park

Bumblebee (Bombus sp.) on a pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), summer, Mine Falls Park

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), an aggressive invader, but rather beautiful. It grows everywhere that could be called moist, from the soggy margins of a pond to the low dips in a meadow, and has become one of the most common flowers in New England. Summer, Mine Falls Park

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), summer, Mine Falls Park

An aquatic flower garden, including pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) soft rush (Juncus effusus) and common cattail (Typha latifolia), summer, Mine Falls Park

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) close up, with the ever-present bumblebee (Bombus sp.), summer, Mine Falls Park

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), a rather beautiful plant with a rather ugly name, summer, Mine Falls Park

Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), a very odd flowering plant that does not photosynthesize, but gets all its nutrients from fungi, summer, Mine Falls Park

Wood sorrel (Oxalis europaea) in bloom. This is the non-native yellow-flowering form. In the mountains, I more often see the North American native O. montana, with its pink-streaked white flowers. Summer, Mine Falls Park

Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) in bloom, summer, Mine Falls Park

Bushy aster (Aster dumosus), summer, Mine Falls Park

Bushy aster (Aster dumosus), summer, Mine Falls Park

Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), also known as touch-me-not. Notice the peculiar way the flower grows. The stem is attached near the front of the flower, and the narrow base of the flower just ends in mid-air. Also, the flower stalk branches off from a leaf stalk rather than being directly attached to the plant's main stem or branches. The yellow or pale jewelweed (I. pallida) that lives farther south also grows in this odd way. Summer, Mine Falls Park

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis). Although it has clusters of tiny florets (and the "petals" are not petals, but leaf-like bracts), this little plant is not in the Asteraceae family, but in the dogwood family Cornaceae. Unlike the Asteraceae, the Cornaceae do not have distinct ray and disc florets. Early summer, Crawford Notch

Patch of wood sorrel (Oxalis montana). This is the native North American type. The common wood sorrel on your lawn or in your city park is more likely O. europaea, an invasive form. Early summer, Crawford Notch

Orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca), early summer, Crawford Notch

Orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca), early summer, Crawford Notch

Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) with a fly on it, early summer, Crawford Notch

A field of lupines (Lupinus perennis). Some are white when they first open, passing through pink before they become purple. Early summer, Crawford Notch

Close-up of lupine (Lupinus perennis) flower cluster, showing the transition from white at the top to almost purple at the bottom, early summer, Crawford Notch

Close-up of lupines (Lupinus perennis). I've sometimes heard them described as looking like little ladies' bonnets. To me, they look like little "thumbs-up" mittens. Early summer, Crawford Notch

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), early summer, Mine Falls Park

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), early summer, Mine Falls Park

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), early summer, Mine Falls Park

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), early summer, Pack Monadnock

Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), early summer, Crawford Notch

A bee (family Apidae, possibly Nomada sp.) on a stiff aster (Aster linariifolius), late summer, Crawford Notch

Wild roses (Rosa sp. possibly R. virginiana) in bud in the meadow near the Elephant Head trail head, early summer, Crawford Notch

Lupine (Lupinus perennis) and orange hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca) in the meadow near the Elephant Head trail head, late spring, Crawford Notch

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum), mid-spring, Crawford Notch

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) blossom. Notice how the flowers at the edges of the cluster are much bigger than those in the interior of the cluster. The peripheral flowers are about an inch and a half across, while the interior ones are about a quarter of an inch across. Mid-spring, Crawford Notch

Purple Trillium (Trillium erectum), spring, Crawford Notch

Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum), mid-spring, Crawford Notch

Violets (Viola sororia), late fall, Mine Falls Park

Violets (Viola sororia) on the banks of the canal, late fall, Mine Falls Park

Lupines (Lupinus perennis) opening, late spring, Crawford Notch

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis), lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule), painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), and starflower (Trientalis borealis), late spring, Crawford Notch

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), late spring, Crawford Notch

Lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule), late spring, Crawford Notch

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis), late spring, Crawford Notch