Horseweed

Horseweed

Eregeron canadensis

Family:  Sunflower (asteraceae)

Horseweed is originally a North American plant which has spread to Europe.  Native Americans used a tea of its leaves to treat dysentary and sore throat.

Seaside Goldenrod

Seaside Goldenrod
Solidalgo Sempervirens
Family:  asteraceae (Sunflower)

There are many species of goldenrod.  I recall as a child going to Girl Scout camp in Vermont.  My good friend Kathy was allergic to "ragweed" which was incorrectly identified as the goldenrod (of some species) next to our tent.  We went about cutting it all down! This one serves as a really pretty nice cut flower at my house.  Nobody's sneezing!

Ivy-Leafed Morning Glory

Ivy-Leafed Morning Glory
Ipomoea hederacea
Family:  Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory)

According to The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, this was imported from tropical America. It blooms blue in the morning then turns pink-purple later in the day.  That would explain why the ones that came up this year in my yard were blue!

My Grandmother had morning glories come up from seed every year on her Vermont porch, so any type of morning glory reminds me of her!  She would tie strings and trail them up to the roof.

Shepherd's Needle

Shepherd's Needle
Bidens pilosa
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower)


Dispersed by  barbs on the seeds which affix to clothing and animal fur.  Also found in Central America. 

Beloved by Gulf Fritallaries, as above, and by various skippers