Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cow Vetch, Alsike, Tent Caterpillar

Birdsfoot Trefoil is a part of the pea family. It's found along roadsides, in meadows and in other disturbed areas.

Cow Vetch is also called Tufted Vetch and is known for its dense clusters of purple flowers arranged on one side of the stem.

Alsike Clover is pale pink. It's found in meadows, fields and along roadsides.

An Eastern Tent Caterpillar features a black body with a continuous white stripe running down its back. Along the sides it has brown and yellow lines with distinct oval blue spots. They construct communal silk nest or "tents' in the forks of tree branches.

Indian Cucumber-root, Golden Ragwort, Northern Blue Flag Iris

Indian Cucumber-root flowers are greenish-yellow with recurved petals and brownish-red stamens. The plant has an edible root that tastes similar to cucumber.

Golden Ragwort or Golden Goundsel thrives in shady, moist environments such as woodlands, stream banks and bogs.

Northern Blue Flag Iris thrives in wet areas, including marshes, stream sides and pond margins.

Common Stitchwort, Cheeseweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow

Stellaria graminea - Common Stitchwort, Lesser Stitchwort, is in the pink family. It has white, star-shaped flowers and grass-like leaves.

Cheeseweed or Dwarf Mallow is a herbaceous plant found in disturbed areas like roadsides or fields.

Ox-eye Daisy features white ray petals surrounding a yellow disk center.

Yarrow features flat-topped clusters of small, white to pinkish flowers and feathery leaves.

Dwarf Dandelion, Glossy Buckthorn, Lady's Slipper

Virginia Dwarf-dandelion resembles a miniature common dandelion but has smaller flowerheads. It grows in sandy, dry or rocky soils in open areas.

Glossy Buckthorn's flowers are small, five petaled and white. It grows in small clusters. Very invasive plant.

Pink Lady's Slipper has a single, large, pouch-shaped pink flower that looks like a slipper or moccasin. Usually found under pines or oak trees. It is pollinated by bumblebees that enter through a slit in the front of the pouch.

Spatterdock, Ragwort

Spatterdock, yellow water-lily, is an aquatic perennail with heart shaped floating leaves.

Ragwort is a daisy-like perennial that can be harmful to livestock but beneficial to pollinators.

Ragged Robin, Sleepy Catchfly, Tower Mustard, Goat's Beard

Ragged Robin can be found along I 91. The petals are deeply cut.

Sleepy Catchfly features small, solitary flowers. The stems are sticky.

Rising above fields is Tower Mustard which produces small, creamy-white or pale yellow flowers.

Goat's Beard or Yellow Salisfy is just beginning to open. It's found on roadsides and disturbed areas.

A whole bunch of May's showcase

Spiderwort

Common Speedwell

Hooked Crowfoot

Virginia Waterleaf

Black Swallow-wort

Feathery False Solomon's Seal

Solomon's Seal

Canada Mayflower

Pale Corydalis, Wild Lupine, Blue Flax, Bunchberry

Pale Corydalis or Rock Harlequin is distinctive for its pink tubular flowers with bright yellow tips.

Wild Lupine have spiky, pea-like flower clusters.

Blue Flax thrives in full sun and is well suited for dry areas and poor soil.

Bunchberry dogwood have what seem to be white petals which are actually bracts (modified leaves) that surround a central cluster of tiny, yellowish-green flowers.

Field Hawkweed, One-flowered Cancer-root, Grove Sandwort

Field Hawkweed is found in fields, meadows and disturbed areas. Like dandelions the flowers are made up of many small ray flowers.

One flowered Cancer-root is also called One-flowered Broomrape. It is a totally parasitic and relies on the roots of host plants like goldenrod.

Grove Sandwort is found in moist areas. It is short and small.

Blue-eyed Grass, Herb Robert, Pineapple Weed

Blue-eyed Grass is a member of the iris family rather than a true grass.

Herb-Robert is a native geranium. It's also called Red Robin or Stinking Bob.

Pineapple Weed has a flower head that is composed of tiny greenish-yellow disc flowers without surrounding petals. If you crush the leaves or flowers they emit a sweet pineapple odor.