Wildflowers of Mammoth Cave National Park [1 ed.] 0813108985, 9780813108988

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Blade

Sessile

Clasping

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WILDFLOWERS of MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

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• ••• W'ILDFLOWERS of MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

Randy Seymour

THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY

Public~tion of this book was assisted by a grant from the Eastern National Park and Monument Associ~tion.

Copyright 0 1997 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bcllarmine College. Bere~ College. Centre College of Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky University. The Filson Club. Georgetown College. Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University. NOTlhern Kentucky University. Transylvania University, Unhocrsity of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

Editorial a11d Su/~s Offius.·The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 405{)8-4008 01

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Title page: left. EGGERT'S SUNFW·....ER (lldia11thus egger!iI): right top. JACOB'S LAOOEIl (Pakrnafliam rr,t'tan;1: right bottom. BlACKBERRY LtLY

(Bdam("(lnda dlinmsi;1

Ubrary of Congress Cala loging-in-Publication Data Seymour. Randy. 1942 Wildnowers of Mammoth Ca\'e National Park I Randy Seymour. p. cm. I and indexes. Includes bibliographical references (p. ISBN 0-3131-0898-') I. wild nowers---tl\;,.

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Because of its creeping nature, this 4"_ to 16"-100g plant may be taller than it first appears. The leaves are

opposite. long pctioled, and ovate. There are 5 white petals, but because the petals are so deeply notched the flower appears to have 10 petals. The sepals arc longer than the petals in this chickweed. (Introduced) J,·f

March 9-May 29

Abundant

In Europe and Asia, where this plant originated, herbalists used it in ointments for skin irritations and sores. An hcrbaltca including this plant is available in specialty stores. Its abundance and large number of seeds make it a valuable plant for wild birds.

STAR CHICKWEED Stellarja Imbera PINK FAMILY

Caryophyllaceac The 6"- to 12"-long stem with opposite, paired, ovate, and VI "- to 2"-lon& leaves are mostly erect, but may occasionally seem to be horizontal to the ground. The flowers are white with 5 very deeply notched petals and 5 shorter green sepals. A row of very fine hairs grows on opposite sides of the stalk between pairs of leaves. (Native) March 27-May 14

Frequent

The leaves of this native chickweed are eaten in salads and are quite palatable cooked as a substitute for spinach. The fact that the seeds are relished by numerous species of birds may account for its common name.

6.

SPRING

FLOWERS

YARROW Achillea millefofium Cor-...,POSITE FAMILY

Compositac (Asteraceae) Flowers on this " to 3' plant are in crowded. nat-lopped clusters. What look like 4 to 6. (normally 5). very small. white to pinkish pet· als arc really rays on this composite. Leaves arc lanccolatc in outline with the basal ones having short pctioles and those above sessile. All leaves are extremely finely dissected into a fernlike appearance. (Introduced) May 22-July 30

Frequent

Native Americans and settlers used Yarrow to soothe burns and bruises. to stop the now of blood in cuts. to regulate menstruation. to soothe sore nipples of nursing mothers. and to relieve headache. stomachache. and fever. Modern experiments vindicate it as an anli-innammalory and an astringent.

PLANTAIN-LEAVED PUSSYTOES Antelltlar;a f,fantaginifoJ;a COMPOSITE FAMILY

Composltac (Ast('r.:ICC.:l(') Flower heads are a Ouff of white. In this species there are several heads on each plant. The stem is hairy and from 3" to 16" tall. Leaves arc in a basal rosette and arc long petioled. ovate. and have 3 main veins. (Native) March 9-May 14

Frequent

Often found in large colonies on poor ground. these plants produce chemicals that discourage other plant competitors. It was used by Native Americans as a tonic to revive mothers after childbirth and by early pionecrs as a shampoo to get rid of lice and to mothproof clothing.

WHITE

FLOWERS

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SOLITARY PUSSYTOES Al1len,UJr;a solitaria COMPOSITE FAMILY

Compositla

roll/mulor". 37 rorollula, 85 l:iJlhl1mtI1StUmmljQ/ia,174 EVENING_PRIMROSE,I7') fALL I'HI.OX, 129 FALSE ALOE, lJ9 fALSE DIIAGONHEAD, 184 fALSE fOXGLOVE. 117 fAI.sF. GAIlUC, 15 FAI.sE GOLDENIIOD. 176 FALSE PENNYRO'o'AL, 203 FALSE IlUE ANEMONE. 22 fALSE SOLOMON·S-SEAL. 16 FALSE SUNFLOWER, 105

AND

COMMON

FIELD MILKWORT, 190 FIELD PANSY, 66 fl ELD TH ISTLE. 181 FIRE PINK, 49 FLEAIIANE COMMON,8 DAISY. 82 FLOWERING SI'UIlGE, 85 I'OAMFLOWER, 27 FOUR-LEAVED MILKWEED, 2 FOXGLOVE fALSE,I17 MULLEIN, 180 RlXGLQVE BEARD-TONGUE, 28 FtYJ,filf'ia '1'l1miana. 23, 45 FRAGRANT BEDSTRAW, 96 Fra;nrl curoliml"ffSls. 71 FRINGED LOOSESTRIFE, 115 l'IlOST-WEED ASTER. 149 GAUNSOOA, 8J Galin.