Ubiquitous Tiger Swallowtails This Spring

April 18, 2026

While one of my sisters was visiting last weekend, she commented on the bounty of Eastern Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio glaucus) that are here on the mountain this spring. I’ve noticed that too, and I’d use one of my Dad’s favorite words, ubiquitous, to describe the number that are around right now.

Dark form (female) of Tiger Swallowtail

And what a surprise – female Tiger Swallowtails are in two different color forms. The yellow one, like the one that you are used to seeing, and the black form, shown above. The black form is nearly all black, and commonly shows subtle black stripes, seen when the lighting and the viewer’s angle is just right. This color form has the appearance of a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) which discourages its predators with an unpleasant taste. The male is always the usual yellow and black.

Nature is amazing.

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Roundleaf Ragwort

April 17, 2026

Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata), buds of deep rich purple that turn to lovely yellow as spring gets warmer. Growing along the trails and the roadside up here.

Native to eastern North America.

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Yellow Trillium Not Quite Native

April 15, 2026

Yellow Trillium (Trillium luteum), native to the Southern Appalachian region, including Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky. Close, but not native to Virginia. In one of my gardens anyway, with a backdrop of Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) which is indeed native to Virginia.

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Flower With No Petals

April 14, 2026

Rue Anenome (Thalictrum thalictroides), native to eastern North America, blooming right now in the woods up here. An herbaceous perennial that grows to 4 to 8 inches in height. It’s petals are not true petals but are white to pale pink sepals which encircle a bundle of yellow-green stamens.

These flowers produce no nectar. Their pollen attracts mostly small bees and flies.

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Cardinal Surrounded By Spring

April 13, 2026

Male Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

A brilliant scarlet Cardinal surrounded by the soft colors of spring in its beginning. Pinks of Redbud (Cercis canadensis) in the background. Pale greens of just emerging leaves, ivory of bracts, and tiny dots of yellow green of the actual flowers of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida).

Each season has its own beauty.

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Blackhaw

April 11, 2026

Blooming all over the mountains up here, trying to get as much attention as the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Redbud (Cercis canadensis) trees. Nearly as common as those two trees, the Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium).

This small tree is native to eastern North America, Connecticut west to eastern Kansas, and south to Alabama and Texas. Its berries (called drupes) turn to blue-black and are consumed by many species of birds from late summer through winter.

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Lots Of Mayapples

April 11, 2026

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum).  An herbaceous perennial plant that’s between 1 to 1.5 feet tall. They’re native to nearly every state east of the Rocky Mountains, from the Great Lakes down to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Nonflowering stems of each plant produce a single leaf. Flowering stems produce a pair of leaves. Very soon buds will form into fragrant white flowers, opening to 1.5 to nearly 3 inches wide. Thereafter, the fruit is produced.

All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets. And if you dare, the fully ripe yellow “apple” is said to be edible, but caution must be taken even then. Seeds must be removed and those “apples” should be eaten in cautious moderation. Not a step I’d be willing to take.

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The Spring Unfurling

April 9, 2026

Spring, and loads of ferns emerging from the earth as they unfurl. These will grow up to be Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum pedatum). Even more beautiful in its grown up form.

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