Lumberton Meadow Wildflowers of the Week 2018

Big-leaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) blooms in midsummer, producing a large display of white disc-like flowers on 3-5′ stalks. A unique feature is the bracts which, when fully open, are also a pretty silver colour. The flowers and leaves are aromatic. P. muticum prefers moist meadows or woodland edges with some shade.

There is a nice stand of Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulos) in the upper meadow behind units 227 and 223.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) can be found in the upper meadow between units 227 thru 179 (the unit in the background of the first photo is 179).

Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa, is in full bloom and can be seen walking the path behind units 227 to 195. Butterflies do seem to like it; that’s a Spicebush Swallow-tail in the second photo.

These photos of Carolina Pea, Thermopsis villosa, were taken behind unit 203.