Mariton: Meadow Flowers

by Tim Burris, Preserve Manager

There is still some Milkweed blooming in the meadows, but it will be fading quickly.  The Butterfly weed on the other hand is still doing well.  The Monardas are beginning to bloom and attract butterflies.  We have both the Oswego Tea (Monarda didyma) and Wild Begamot (Monarda fistulosa). 

Mountain mint (Pycantheum sp.) is also blooming.  You have to look hard for the blossoms, but if you brush by it, the refreshing smell will catch your attention.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is another flower in the meadows.  Some people confuse Yarrow with Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota), but the flowers are really different.  Bruising a leaf will also help you to distinguish the two for each other.

The Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) is also blooming in the meadows.  This has small blossoms compared to commercial sunflowers, but it is rather pretty.