Free Pictures of Flowers

A moth (order Lepidoptera) on an arrowhead flower (Sagittaria latifolia). Don't know the species of moth for certain, but I'm pretty sure it's some sort of hawk moth (family Sphingidae). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). In the background, several tiny white flowers of water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) poke out of the water. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

I'm not quite sure what this is. The flowers appear to be not-quite-opened blossoms of something in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), probably field bindweed (Convolvulus arvenis). The two round stigmas pretty definitely indicate some sort of bindweed (genus Convolvulus) and not a true morning glory (genus Ipomea). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) growing in the mud beside the Mill Pond. Normally, it grows right in the water, but a dry spell has left this plant high and not-quite-dry. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). As the flower matures, the dense "button"e; separates into many stamens and pistils, and the petals become more wrinkled. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A Chalk-fronted corporal dragonfly (Ladona julia) on a long, curled leaf of arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A yellowjacket (either Vespula maculifrons or V. germanica) on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). 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.

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.

Water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.). In this picture, we can see the tiny white flowers it raises above the surface of the pond, as well as the sun-browned fronds floating at the surface, and the delicate, feathery green fronds under the water. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A caterpillar (order Lepidoptera) on an arrowhead flower (Sagittaria latifolia). I have no idea what species of caterpillar this might be, nor even whether it is the larva of a moth or a butterfly. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). While the flowers are in full bloom, the leaves are showing the touch of autumn, even in early August. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis europaea) or "sour grass." This is the invasive European form, and not the native O. montana. This type, more common in cities and suburbs, has smaller leaves than the native type, and it has yellow flowers, unlike the pink-striped white flowers of O. montana. I couldn't get a close-up of the flowers because it was too windy and I couldn't get them to stay in frame and in focus. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). This picture illustrates very well my recent "discovery" that the florets at the edges of the flower cluster of Queen Anne's lace are much larger than those in the interior, and they are asymmetrical. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A colorful beetle (order Coleoptera) on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A colorful beetle (order Coleoptera) on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A bumblebee (Bombus sp.) on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A hoverfly (family Syrphidae) about to land on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A bumblebee (Bobmus sp.) and three small beetles (order Coleoptera) on a flower cluster of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Two small beetles (order Coleoptera) on a flower cluster of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus). Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Two small beetles (order Coleoptera) on a flower cluster of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus). I see beetles like this pretty often, but I have no idea what species they are, or even whether the two are the same species. They are similar in shape and color, but vastly different in size. Their coloration is reminiscent of a firefly, but they are a bit smaller than fireflies, they have more pronounced "necking" between their body segments, and their colors are much more glossy than a firefly's. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Some sort of a bug on the flower cluster of Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). Not sure what kind of a bug this is. The wing covers suggest a beetle (order Coleoptera), but the long antennae, large, prominent eyes, and narrow body look rather like a wasp. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). Funny the things you notice when you bother to look. I was looking to see if I could find crab spiders on a white flower cluster (see my story, Goldenrod Crab Spider). But then I noticed that the flowers in the cluster of Queen Anne's lace are not identical! The outer florets in the outer sub-clusters are larger than the other florets, and they are asymmetrical, having larger petals on the outermost edges of the whole umbel. I had never noticed this before. This suggests the same sort of evolutionary connection to the daisy-like flowers as I had surmised from similar oddities in the flower structure of the hobblebush. All things considered, I guess it's easier for me to believe that an umbel-type flower structure, like that of Queen Anne's lace, gave rise to the dense flower head of the daisy-like flowers (family Asteraceae) than that the corymb, like the flower cluster of the hobblebush, did so. The umbel is just a bit more "primitive-looking" than the corymb anyway. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). This picture also illustrates the larger size and asymmetrical shape of the florets near the outer edges of the cluster. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Some sort of a bug on the flower cluster of showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). Not sure what kind of a bug this is. Likely a fly (Order Diptera), or possibly a wasp (suborder Apocrita). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A flower in the pea family (Fabaceae) which I can't quite identify. In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A flower in the pea family (Fabaceae) which I can't quite identify. In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A flower in the pea family (Fabaceae) which I can't quite identify. In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A flower in the pea family (Fabaceae) which I can't quite identify. In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A flower in the pea family (Fabaceae) which I can't quite identify. In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A female widow skimmer dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa) on a stalk of Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). These are called "widow" dragonflies because the male does not accompany the female while she lays her eggs, as most dragonflies do. And they are called "skimmers" because of their habit of flying low above water. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A female widow skimmer dragonfly (Libellula luctuosa) on a stalk of Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). These are called "widow" dragonflies because the male does not accompany the female while she lays her eggs, as most dragonflies do. And they are called "skimmers" because of their habit of flying low above water. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A caterpillar (order Lepidoptera) fairly well camouflaged on a showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). I have no idea what species of caterpillar this might be, nor even whether it is the larva of a moth or a butterfly. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on a lance-leaved goldenrod (Solidago gramminifolia). These foreign invaders do quite a lot of damage to commercial and ornamental plants (notably roses), but the goldenrod seems little the worse for the beetle's visit. Invading pests they may be, but I think the Japanese beetle is a rather handsome insect. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on a lance-leaved goldenrod (Solidago gramminifolia). These foreign invaders do quite a lot of damage to commercial and ornamental plants (notably roses), but the goldenrod seems little the worse for the beetle's visit. Invading pests they may be, but I think the Japanese beetle is a rather handsome insect. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A "daddy long legs" (order Opiliones), also called a "harvestman," on a sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora). I was looking for arachnids on goldenrod that day, but never did find my goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia), but I saw surprisingly many daddy longlegs. This is an arachnid, but not a true spider. This one looks to me like the same species that I saw in Mine Falls Park a couple of weeks before (picture below). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on the flower cluster of Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota). These foreign invaders do quite a lot of damage to commercial and ornamental plants (notably roses), but the Queen Anne's lace seems little the worse for the beetle's visit. Invading pests they may be, but I think the Japanese beetle is a rather handsome insect. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Though it is described as an "aquatic" shrub, I virtually always see it growing on land beside a pond or slow-flowing stream. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Though it is described as an "aquatic" shrub, I virtually always see it growing on land beside a pond or slow-flowing stream. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Spotted Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Wildlife Pond is a veritable meadow of American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

I don't know what this small aquatic flower is. It's fairly distinctive, but I can't find any descriptions or photos in my sources that match it. In this photo, we see a rather large patch of its small, oval leaves floating among the larger, round leaves of American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), and you can see a few of its flowers - mostly not quite opened - raised above the surface of the pond. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

I don't know what this small aquatic flower is. It's fairly distinctive, but I can't find any descriptions or photos in my sources that match it. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

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, Old City Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A very small crab spider (family Thomisidae, possibly Misumena vatia) on a yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flower cluster that is beginning to wilt and set seed. This may be the same species I had seen on goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and described in my story, Goldenrod Crab Spider. Other crab spiders that I have seen on yarrow were white, matching the flowers pretty well, but this one has a greenish head and legs and a yellowish abdomen. At less than an eighth of an inch long, this one is by far the smallest crab spider I have ever photgraphed. Can't see it? Click to see the full-sized version of the picture for a better look. It's on the flower head just above and to the leftt of the copyright mark. (All right, I'll admit it: I didn't even see the spider until after I got home and took a good look at the picture.) Summer, Old City Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A hoverfly (family Syrphidae) on a flower cluster of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A crab spider (family Thomisidae) on a dead twig of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). This is the same size and color, likely the same species, as the one I saw in the White Mountains a couple of weeks before. It was sitting motionless on a dead twig within inches of several flower clusters. For an instant, I actually thought it was a stunted or malformed flower cluster. Notice the way it holds its two forward pairs of legs in a manner reminiscent of a crab, whence the common name of this family of spiders. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A crab spider (family Thomisidae) on a dead twig of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). It holds on with its hind four legs, while holding its forward four legs ready to grab any insect that mistakes it for a flower. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A crab spider (family Thomisidae) on a dead twig of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Annoyed by my camera, the spider retreats along a strand of spider silk to take up its ambush somewhere else. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A crab spider (family Thomisidae) on a dead twig of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Having retreated a foot or so, the spider takes up a new ambush position on another dead twig among some leafier branches. This large spider, maybe an inch and a half long, seemed to prefer imitating a flower on a bare twig rather than simply hiding among the real flowers. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

An unusual bumblebee (Bombus sp.) on a redroot (Ceanothus ovatus) flower cluster. There were several bumblebees, as well as numerous other pollinating insects, flitting among the profuse blossoms of redroot near the summit of Mount Monadnock, but this one was different. It was smaller than most bumblebees, and it had a large rust-red patch on the dorsal surface of its abdomen. It was also much more energetic than most of the bumblebees, spending no more than a couple of seconds on each cluster of blossoms and never sitting still. It took me many attempts to get a couple of clear pictures of this busy little bee. Notice the pollen baskets, nearly full of the surprisingly white pollen of the redroot. I'm pretty sure I've seen this type of bumblebee before, but I can't quite place it. Vaguely recall that it was also near a mountain peak. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

An unusual bumblebee (Bombus sp.) and a white-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) on a redroot (Ceanothus ovatus) flower cluster. As I focused my attention on the unusual bumblebee with the rusty patch on its back, I didn't quite notice that the other insect on this flower was also an unusual pollinator. When I looked at the picture, I remembered that the first insect I attempted to photograph on the redroot that day was a white-faced hornet, and here it is again! Most closely related wasps are predators, like the true hornets, but the white-faced "hornet" (not a true hornet, but shaped rather like one) is an important pollinator of many plants. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A small crab spider (family Thomisidae) on last year's dead, dry seed head of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). Don't know whether this is the same species as the white and pink one above. It's pale green, and much smaller than the other, but it might just be a young one. Also, at least some crab spiders are known to change color. Like the larger one, this one was in a place that would not normally attract insects, but in this case, I don't think this little spider was convincingly flower-like. Of course, I'm not a pollinating insect, so I might not be qualified to make such a judgment. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A small crab spider (family Thomisidae) on last year's dead, dry seed head of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). The spider is pretty hard to see. When I first found it, it was plainly visible on the surface of the seed head. As I tried to take pictures - and the seed head kept moving in the wind, making that rather difficult - the spider retreated inside the seed head. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A small crab spider (family Thomisidae) on last year's dead, dry seed head of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). The spider is pretty hard to see. When I first found it, it was plainly visible on the surface of the seed head. As I tried to take pictures - and the seed head kept moving in the wind, making that rather difficult - the spider retreated inside the seed head. Summer, Wapack Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A small white crab spider (family Thomisidae, possibly Misumena vatia) on a yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flower cluster. This may be the same species I had seen on goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and described in my story, Goldenrod Crab Spider. As I mention in the story, this species is known to change color. They are yellow when seen on goldenrod, but they can turn white when they live on white flowers, and yarrow is one of the white flowers they are known to use. In mid-July in southern New Hampshire, the goldenrod was just beginning to bloom, so this spider may have turned white and set up ambush on a yarrow while waiting for its namesake flower to become available. Can't see the spider? They have an excellent disguise,don't they? Summer, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock.

A small white crab spider (family Thomisidae, possibly Misumena vatia) on a yarrow (Achillea millefolium) flower cluster. This may be the same species I had seen on goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and described in my story, Goldenrod Crab Spider. As I mention in the story, this species is known to change color. They are yellow when seen on goldenrod, but they can turn white when they live on white flowers, and yarrow is one of the white flowers they are known to use. In mid-July in southern New Hampshire, the goldenrod was just beginning to bloom, so this spider may have turned white and set up ambush on a yarrow while waiting for its namesake flower to become available. Can't see the spider? They have an excellent disguise,don't they? Summer, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock.

Beetles (order Coleoptera) on a flower cluster of redroot (Ceanothus ovatus). I'm not sure what species of beetle this is, but I've seen quite a few of them this summer, both here in Mine Falls Park and in my own yard. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus). I have so many pictures of the very similar redroot (C. ovatus), I figured I'd put up at least one of New Jersey tea. It is actually less common than redroot in most places where I hike, even here in Mine Falls Park, but New Jersey tea is more common farther south. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Pale laurel (Kalmia polifolia). This is one of several tiny rhododendrons that live in the alpine bogs and around the peak of Mount Jackson and other peaks of the Presidential Range. Its flowers normally occur in clusters, but this "cluster" consists of only one flower. Unusual, but growing conditions are harsh up here. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Crab spider (family Thomisidae) hiding inside a rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa). This spider is similar to the goldenrod crab spider which I describe in one of my stories. It is much larger, and a completely different color. Only six of its legs are clearly visible, but it has eight: The hindmost pair are pointing straight back and hidden by the petals. The flower is a true wild rose, unlike the ones that grow in the meadow near Elephant Head, but it is not a native species. It was introduced from Asia. Summer, Saco Lake Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis montana) with two tiny brown beetles on it. Maybe these are its pollinators. This is the native species. The wood sorrel or "sour grass" on your lawn or in your nearby city park is more likely the invasive European wood sorrel (O. europaea), which has yellow flowers and somewhat smaller leaves. Summer, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis montana). This is the native species. The wood sorrel or "sour grass" on your lawn or in your nearby city park is more likely the invasive European wood sorrel (O. europaea), which has yellow flowers and somewhat smaller leaves. Summer, Crawford Path, White Mountain National Forest.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis montana). It's quite a pretty little flower, rather reminiscent of the buttercup and anemone family (Ranunculaceae), but with fewer stamens, and it blooms much later in the year than most anemones. It is actually a member of a very small family, Oxalidaceae, which is somewhat related to the pea family (Fabaceae). Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis montana) and bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) in bloom. A week earlier, I had seen bunchberry in fruit, but that was 120 miles farther south and 3,000 feet lower altitude. And there's that little brown beetle again. The large leaves are those of blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis), which was also still in bloom up here in the alpine zone. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum, formerly called Ledum groenlandicum). This is one of several tiny rhododendrons that live in the alpine bogs and around the peak of Mount Jackson and other peaks of the Presidential Range. Its flowers are not quite typical of the rhododendrons, which is one reason why it is classed in subsection Ledum, which is sometimes considered a separate genus. In any case, it is a member of the heath family, Ericaceae, which includes the true rhododendrons and some plants which are called laurels (although true laurel is a separate family, Lauraceae). Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum, formerly called Ledum groenlandicum). This is one of several tiny rhododendrons that live in the alpine bogs and around the peak of Mount Jackson and other peaks of the Presidential Range. Its flowers are not quite typical of the rhododendrons, which is one reason why it is classed in subsection Ledum, which is sometimes considered a separate genus. In any case, it is a member of the heath family, Ericaceae, which includes the true rhododendrons and some plants which are called laurels (although true laurel is a separate family, Lauraceae). Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The lower, smaller, and drier of the two bogs on the northern shoulder of Mount Jackson. I don't know what those cottony seed heads are. I always see them here, and I've also seen them on Mount Monadnock, but I've never seen so many. They usually occur in small clumps, usually near the edges of the bog, but this day, they covered the entire bog. This may have some connection to this year's unusually wet and cool spring and summer. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The lower, smaller, and drier of the two bogs on the northern shoulder of Mount Jackson. I don't know what those cottony seed heads are. I always see them here, and I've also seen them on Mount Monadnock, but I've never seen so many. They usually occur in small clumps, usually near the edges of the bog, but this day, they covered the entire bog. This may have some connection to this year's unusually wet and cool spring and summer. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Closer look at those cottony seed heads which I don't know what they are. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The higher, larger, and wetter of the two bogs on the northern shoulder of Mount Jackson was also covered with a dense stand of those cottony seed heads such as I had never seen before. I don't know what they are. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The higher, larger, and wetter of the two bogs on the northern shoulder of Mount Jackson was also covered with a dense stand of those cottony seed heads such as I had never seen before. I don't know what they are. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Looking toward Mount Washington from the upper bog on the north slope of Mount Jackson. The bog is covered with a dense stand of those cottony seed heads such as I had never seen before. I don't know what they are. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Close-up of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) growing in a crack in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Close-up of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) growing in a crack in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The last scramble up the rock before reaching the summit of Mount Jackson. The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this many diapensia flowers once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

A tuft of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) growing in a crack in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Looking toward Mount Webster from the peak of Mount Jackson. The bare rock in the foreground is decorated with diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). Summer, Webster Cliff Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster-Jackson Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster-Jackson Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster-Jackson Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Even the man-made cairn near the peak of Mount Jackson is decorated with diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). Summer, Webster-Jackson Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

The cracks in the bare granite peak of Mount Jackson were decorated with a dense growth of diapensia (Diapensia lapponica). It seems that it does not bloom in such profusion every year. I visit Mount Jackson at least once a year, and often twice, and I can only recall seeing this much diapensia once before, at least ten years ago. It is a perennial plant, so the plants are always there, but not always the flowers. Summer, Webster-Jackson Trail, Presidential Range, White Mountain National Forest.

Feral or wild roses in the nearly overgrown meadow between the Elephant Head Trail Head and Saco Lake. If they are truly wild roses, they may be Rosa virginiana. For a while there, I thought they were going to die out as the meadow reverts to forest, but they seem to be spreading out into the meadow a bit. I guess they prefer the partial shade that they could formerly get only at the edge, but now they are moving out among the encroaching woody shrubs. They will eventually die out, but maybe not as quickly as I thought. Summer, Crawford Notch State Park.

Feral or wild roses in the nearly overgrown meadow between the Elephant Head Trail Head and Saco Lake. If they are truly wild roses, they may be Rosa virginiana. Summer, Crawford Notch State Park.

Feral or wild roses in the nearly overgrown meadow between the Elephant Head Trail Head and Saco Lake. If they are truly wild roses, they may be Rosa virginiana. Summer, Crawford Notch State Park.

Feral or wild roses in the nearly overgrown meadow between the Elephant Head Trail Head and Saco Lake. If they are truly wild roses, they may be Rosa virginiana. Summer, Crawford Notch State Park.

Tall meadow rue (Thalictrum polygamum, also called T. pubescens). Summer, Saco Lake Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica). There are several species of vetch that are invasive species escaped from cultivation. There is a native species (V. americana), but this isn't it. Vetches are members of the pea and bean family (Fabaceae), and in fact, this genus includes fava beans (V. faba). Summer, Dam Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica). There are several species of vetch that are invasive species escaped from cultivation. There is a native species (V. americana), but this isn't it. Vetches are members of the pea and bean family (Fabaceae), and in fact, this genus includes fava beans (V. faba). Summer, Dam Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Wood vetch (Vicia sylvatica). This invasive species is very, very plentiful along Dam Road, forming dense mats that cover the disturbed roadside, skid roads from logging operations, and the dam that holds Wildlife Pond. Summer, Dam Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

I'm not quite sure what this flower is. I didn't get a good picture of the rest of the plant, as I was sure this flower would be distinctive enough to identify. No luck. It is pretty clearly a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). In size and shape, it looks very like showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), but that is yellow and grows much farther south. It might possibly be bush vetch (Vicia sepium), but I don't have much more than a picture and a name of that species, so I'm not sure. If you have a clear idea what this plant is, please let me know via the contact page. Summer, Dam Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) blossom just beginning to open. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Wildlife Pond, on the Beaver Brook Association lands in Hollis, NH, may be the largest stand of American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) that I know. The upper part of the pond, above the causeway where Old City Trail crosses the pond, is literally covered with them. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

This one small bay of Wildlife Pond, on the Beaver Brook Association lands in Hollis, NH, has a few yellow pond lily (Nuphar variegatum). The rest of the pond is choked with American lotus (Nelumbo lutea). Incidentally, neither of these water lilies is native to New Hampshire. The yellow pond lily is originally from Eurasia, and the American lotus is thought to have been transplanted from the Southeast by Indians for use as food. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora). Many of these plants in this western tract of the Beaver Brook Association lands hold their flowers upright like this, while the species usually has its flower hanging down from the top of the stalk. Don't know why. This is a very odd flowering plant that does not photosynthesize, but gets all its nutrients from fungi. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica). This rather pretty and rather tall member of the wintergreen family (Pyrolaceae) gets its common name from its former use as a topical anesthetic. A drug similar to aspirin can be released by crushing the leaves and applying a plaster of the leaves to a bruised shin. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica). This rather pretty and rather tall member of the wintergreen family (Pyrolaceae) gets its common name from its former use as a topical anesthetic. A drug similar to aspirin can be released by crushing the leaves and applying a plaster of the leaves to a bruised shin. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica). This rather pretty and rather tall member of the wintergreen family (Pyrolaceae) gets its common name from its former use as a topical anesthetic. A drug similar to aspirin can be released by crushing the leaves and applying a plaster of the leaves to a bruised shin. Notice the peculiar curved pistil that sticks out farther than the petals. Summer, Wildlife Pond Loop Trail, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH.

A patch of partridge berry (Mitchella repens) in bloom. Early summer, Mine Falls Park.

Closer view of the fuzzy blossoms of partridge berry (Mitchella repens), wet with rain. Early summer, Mine Falls Park.

Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella). Early summer, Mine Falls Park.

Closer view of the flower of mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella). Early summer, Mine Falls Park.

A wild garden of pink ladys slipper orchids (Cypripedium acaule) (the white ones are variant individuals, but the same species), painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) past blooming (the tall plant with three slightly rippled leaves, at right), and numerous Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana). Only two of the Indian cucumber root are blooming. They are the tall, "double-decker" plants on either side of the trillium. Their bare stems rise nearly a foot above the ground before sprouting a whorl of five to ten leaves, then more bare stem for nearly another foot, and a whorl of three or four leaves. Three or four flowers hang below this upper whorl of leaves. Once you recognize the shape of the plant, you can easily see that there are a great many immature plants of the same species, each having only the first whorl of leaves. These plants will not bloom this year, but will store their energy in their roots to bloom next year, or the year after. Late spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule), actually white, but that's what the species is called, dripping from the overnight rain. More than half of the "pink" ladys slippers along the Arethusa Falls Trail are white, and the pink ones are generally much paler than those seen elsewhere. Don't know why. Late spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Unidentified white violet (Viola sp.). These are growing above Arethusa Falls in Bemis Brook. Many, perhaps most of the white violets in Bemis Brook are like this one: Very, very small flowers, less than a quarter of an inch across, hanging below the plant on very, very long stems, as much as six or eight inches long. I really don't think this is a variant form of northern white violet (V. pallens), but they do live in similar habitat (right in the streambed in a very wet place, but not quite in the stream as an aquatic plant). I really think it's a different species, but can't find a reference that describes it. Late spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Northern white violet (Viola pallens). This plant, also above Arethusa Falls, is typical of its species, having flowers about half to three quarters of an inch wide on short stems standing just above the leaves. Late spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Another of those unidentified white violets (Viola sp.) with tiny, pendant flowers growing in a crack in the pink granite between Bemis Falls and Fawn Pool. This is the plant pictured below, with a droplet of water enclosing the flower. It's the next green thing to the right of the clump of grass, halfway from the grass to the lateral crack in the rock. See how tiny it is! Late spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

This specimen of unidentified white violet (Viola sp.) has one of its tiny flowers completely enclosed in a droplet of water. Late spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis). These are small flowers, so that beetle (order Coleoptera) on the anther is very small. Late spring, Arethusa Falls Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) growing in a crack in the pink granite between Bemis Falls and Fawn Pool. Late spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) growing in a crack in the pink granite between Bemis Falls and Fawn Pool. Late spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

Closer view of the flower of the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris). Late spring, Bemis Brook Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

The flower cluster of a maple-leafed viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium). Notice that the individual flowers are very similar to those of the hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) but with longer stamens. All the flowers in the cluster are the same size, while the hobblebush has much larger flowers around the edges of the cluster. The cluster is also much more open than the densely packed cluster of the hobblebush. There is a tiny beetle (order Coleoptera), perhaps one of the pollinators of this plant, climbing near the center of the cluster. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Maple-leafed viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), showing the flower cluster and the vaguely maple-like leaves. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor). This unusual flower is almost orchid-like in the traps and mazes it makes its pollinating insects go through. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Blue flag (Iris versicolor). This is the same species as the irises you may have in your garden, but this is the wild ancestral form. There are several stands of "feral" irises in Mine Falls Park, but also quite a few of the true wild ones. Actually, they seem a bit more numerous this year than last. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) in bloom. Notice how each stamen fits into a "pocket" in its adjacent petal. Later, as the cluster approaches full bloom, the stamens will pop out of these pockets. Late spring, Mine Falls Park

Bluet (Houstonia caerulea). Virtually all bluets I ever see in New Hampshire are the white "alpine" variety (H. caerulea var. Faxonorum). Once last year, 2008, I saw one cluster of five pale blue bluets. So, this year (2009), I set out with all five of my grandchildren on a mission to find a blue bluet. I showed them the alpine bluets and asked them to help me find a blue one. Four-year-old Paige gets the prize for finding this one flower in just about the same location where I had seen the five blue ones before. I'll go back there again some time to see if I can find more. I'm curious as to whether this is the true nominate type of bluet, or simply a freak alpine bluet reverting to its ancestral color. In either case, I don't know how I can know which it is, but at least I'd like to see just how many of these blue bluets grow here. Spring, Elkins Road, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Yellow pond lily (Nuphar variegatum). Spring, Bouchard Bridge, Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH

Starflower (Trientalis borealis) is a very conspicuous and very common woodland flower in New Hampshire. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Pink ladys slipper orchid (Cypripedium acaule). New Hampshire's official state wildflower is considered threatened, and it is generally rare, but it is locally abundant in certain places, including Pack Monadnock. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

Painted trillium (Trillium undulatum). Just about everything of the trillium is in threes: Leaves, sepals, petals, and the whorled stigma. Only the anthers are in sixes. The "undulatum" in the scientific name of this striking trillium refers to the rippled petals and leaves. Spring, Marion Davis Trail, Pack Monadnock

A bumblebee (Bombus sp.) sipping nectar from a maleberry blossom (Lyonia ligustrina). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Blossoms of the maleberry bush (Lyonia ligustrina). Spring, Mine Falls Park

Sister violet (Viola sororia). The hairy leaves and flower stalks distinguish it from the nearly identical common blue violet (V. papilionacea). Violets of both types can be seen anywhere in the park that is partly sunny. They are very abundant where the Turtle Trail crosses the Millpond Trail and the power lines, and they can be seen along the banks of the Nashua Canal, especially on the west side along the Millpond Trail. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum). Virtually all bluets I ever see in New Hampshire are this white "alpine" variety, even here in Nashua, 300 feet above sea level. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Fringed polygala (Polygala panicifolia). This unusual orchid-like flower is actually related to the pea family. In Mine Falls Park, you can find them in mid-spring where the Millpond Trail leaves the power lines and enters the dense forest. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Starflower (Trientalis borealis) is a very conspicuous and very common woodland flower in New Hampshire, perhaps a little less common in Mine Falls Park than elsewhere. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Alpine bluets (Houstonia caerulea var. Faxonorum) and sister violets (Viola sororia) grow in the partial sunshine where the Millpond Trail leaves the clearing of the power lines and enters the dense forest. Spring, Mine Falls Park

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) is among the earliest woodland flowers. Spring, Mine Falls Park.

Wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) is often pink on the outer surfaces of its petals. Spring, Mine Falls Park.

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) sheltered under a fallen tree limb, not quite blooming. Notice the mottled leaves, reminiscent of the skin of a brook trout (whence the name). This individual plant is part of a sizeable colony of over a dozen, but this is the only one producing a blossom. It is also the only one with more than one leaf, suggesting it is the oldest one, and the others are maturing and storing energy in their bulbs so they can bloom another year. It is also the one with the best shade, which could also explain its vigor, since these plants do not tolerate direct sunlight. Spring, White Mountain National Forest.

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) sheltered under a fallen tree limb, not quite blooming. Notice the mottled leaves, reminiscent of the skin of a brook trout (whence the name). This individual plant is part of a sizeable colony of over a dozen, but this is the only one producing a blossom. It is also the only one with more than one leaf, suggesting it is the oldest one, and the others are maturing and storing energy in their bulbs so they can bloom another year. It is also the one with the best shade, which could also explain its vigor, since these plants do not tolerate direct sunlight. Spring, White Mountain National Forest.

A colony of trout lilies (Erythronium americanum), each consisting of only one leaf and no flower buds. These plants usually grow only in deeply shadowed forests, but this colony is growing in a small grove within a broad meadow. Perhaps they are getting too much sunlight, and this is why they are doing poorly. Spring, White Mountain National Forest.

Last summer's cattail (Typha latifolia) disintegrates in the late winter, scattering its fluffy seeds across the Mill Pond. Late winter, Mine Falls Park.

Last summer's cattail (Typha latifolia) disintegrates in the late winter, scattering its fluffy seeds across the Mill Pond. Late winter, Mine Falls Park.

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

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

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

Leaf of a fern turning yellow in autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Blossom of a smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) setting seed. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in fall. The two structures that look like pointy cucumbers are the seed pods. They will soon split open, releasing hundreds of fluffy seeds. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Early fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Early fall, Mine Falls Park.

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

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 Downloaded 235 Times.

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 Downloaded 501 Times.

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 Downloaded 178 Times.

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 Downloaded 105 Times.

An aquatic flower garden, including pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) soft rush (Juncus effusus) and common cattail (Typha latifolia), summer, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 372 Times.

Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), a very odd flowering plant that does not photosynthesize, but gets all its nutrients from fungi, summer, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 120 Times.

Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) in bloom, summer, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 229 Times.

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 Downloaded 151 Times.

A field of lupines (Lupinus perennis). Some are white when they first open, passing through pink before they become purple. Early summer, Crawford Notch Downloaded 128 Times.

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 Downloaded 218 Times.

Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), early summer, Crawford Notch Downloaded 237 Times.