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SOME PLANTS OF THE
TENNESSEE VALLEY| Black Eyed
Susan Rudbeckia hirta Looks like a small sunflower or daisy. It has bright yellow petals that are gathered around a dark brown center or "eye". |
Catail:
Common Catail Typha latifolia A tall, thin, slender plant that bears a brownish tan club like spike. Catails are grown in fresh water marshes and produce dense stands. The Red winged blackbirds love this catail habitat. |
| Clover: Red Clover Trifolium
paratense This plant has 3 heart shaped leaves that come out from one stem. The leaves are arranged so that the v-shapes are attached on the stem, and the rounded edges are toward the outside. Between May and September one will find red, globular shaped blooms. This plant is best known for its nitrogen fixation in the soil. |
Clover: White Clover Trifolium
repens This plant is made up of 3 heart shaped leaves per stem. The leaves are arranged so that the pointed v-shape of the leaf is growing from the stem. The bloom is globular, white, and attracts many bees. At times one may find a 4 leaf clover that is considered to be a sign of good luck. |
| Cocklebur; Clotbur Xanthium
strumarium This plant is found throughout the United States. Most are common in low ground and on roadsides. These plants grow spiny burs that attach to one's clothing when brushed up against. Cockleburs are a very big pest for hikers and nature lovers. |
Daisy: Oxeye Daisy Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum This flower looks like the common daisy. It has white petals and yellow centers. Only one flower grows per stem. One can find the Oxeye Daisy in pastures, meadows and on roadsides. If this plant is eaten by cattle, it causes the cow's milk to have an unwanted taste. |
| Dandelion: Common Dandelion Taraxacum
officinale Solitary flower on a single stick. The bloom is small, yellow and resembles a mum when it is at an early age. When the plant gets older it grows into a white, dry, downy flower in a globular shape. The seeds are scattered by the wind. |
Goldenrod: Tall Goldenrod Solidago
altissima A tall, slim, yellow, flowering plant. The blooms grow in a cone shape with outward branches arching. Goldenrods flower from August to November. One can find many of these plants in the fields and on roadsides. At one time the Goldenrod was considered very hearty and could be found in fields and on roadsides. It is often accused of being the cause of allergies in humans. |
| Honeysuckle: Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica This vine has dark green leaves, it is very hearty, and also invasive. Blooms are tubular, white and pale yellow, and very fragrant. This woody vine flowers from April to July. It contains very sweet nectar and is native to Japan. |
Honeysuckle: Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera
sempervirens This plant has very pretty trumpet shaped blooms of a orangeade and yellow color. One can find these flowers at the end of long stems that come off a vine. Hummingbirds love the Trumpet Honeysuckle vine. |
| Kudzu Vine Pueraria
lobata Fast growing vine with a purple pea like flower that blooms in late summer. This plant is so aggressive it covers entire trees so much that trees look like a blanket of kudzu. This plant was introduced to the United States from Japan where it's tuberous roots are eaten. In the Tennessee Valley Kudzu may be used for erosion control as well as feed for livestock. |
Morning
Glory: Common Morning Glory Ipomoea purpurea
Pink, purple, blue and white funnel shaped flower. It grows from a vine that can cover road signs, mailboxes, and plants. It blooms from July to October and is usually unwanted in gardens. The Morning Glory has unique heart shaped, dark green leaves. |
Created by Amy Barrier, Nov. 1998 - Revised July 29, 1999 KMM.