Category: Native to eastern N. America

Dr Seuss Flowers

Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma)

It seems to be a flower from a drawing by Dr Seuss and certainly one designed just for my Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. It’s a flower that always makes me think of fireworks and the 4th of July.

Native to eastern North America, it’s a perennial plant that is 2 to 4 feet tall, and one that attracts oodles of pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps and hummingbirds.

And before I wrap things up, I want to wish you a very happy 4th of banana!

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Hemiparasitic

Downy False Foxglove (Aureolaria virginica) is a plant that is hemiparasitic. This means it has chlorophyll and performs photosynthesis but also depends upon another plant for some of its water and/or nutrients.

In the case of Downy False Foxglove, the plant that it choses to depend upon is the White Oak (Quercus alba).

A plant that is native to eastern North America, with a small population found in Ontario.

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Dogbane Leaf Beetle

A dazzling jewel in the world of insects. The Dogbane Leaf Beetle (Chrysochus auratus). As you might guess because of its name, the Dogbane Leaf Beetle depends to a great extent on the many species of Apocynaceae, the Dogbane family. Not a difficult task, since there are 4,555 species in that family, which includes Milkweed plants. This particular jewel of a beetle lives on and eats Dogbane and Milkweed.

As the beetle eats Dogbane and Milkweed plants, it takes in poisonous cardiac glycosides, and releases the nasty chemicals when threatened by predators. With its jewel like colors it is advertising that it is not to be messed with. This warning strategy is called aposematism, something that is used by many insects and other animals.

Native to eastern North America. The “auratus” of its scientific name is from the Latin “aureus” which translates to decorated with gold. That seems appropriate.

Wild Ginger a Great Groundcover

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a perennial, herbaceous plant, native to eastern North America. I find it here in the higher elevations.

It spreads by rhizomes and makes a lovely groundcover in shade or part shade. I find it doesn’t care for the driest days of hot summer, but responds with appreciation when I water the many little plants.

This, from a few weeks ago. A bud, soon to be a flower.

Here’s the flower of Wild Ginger. If you didn’t know, you certainly would miss the flower. Gently push aside the soft leaves and there it will be. This is one of many plants that benefit from myrmecochory, or seed dispersal by ants. Pollinators are flies and beetles. It is a host plant to some moths and butterflies including the Pipevine Swallowtail.

More and more, spring is unfolding!