Ozarks - Tumblr Posts - Page 2
Bird's Foot Violet
Viola pedata
Named after its leaves which resemble a bird's foot... This gorgeous violet is native to a large portion of eastern North America and thrives in sandy areas, rocky slopes, and other sunny, very well-drained habitats that are undisturbed. Three different color varieties can be found in the wild; bicolor (pictured above), lilac, and white. I have found both the bicolor and solid lilac varieties in abundance within glades and some prairies here in Missouri. Additionally, this species hosts fritillary butterfly larvae and provides nectar to many other butterflies and bees.
April 18th, 2024
St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline
Fire Pink
Silene virginica
A perennial catchfly native to central and eastern North America. The bright, fiery red flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds to pollinate them, and sticky sepals and stems on the plant act as a trap for small insects trying to climb up it, hence the name "catchfly" for plants in this genus. It prefers somewhat dry soils and part-sun, so it can be found on rocky slopes in open woodlands, savannas, and other similar habitats.
I found this fire pink growing in open, rocky woods near blackjack oaks and other drought-tolerant species.
April 18th, 2024
St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline
Eastern Shooting Star
Primula meadia syn. Dodecatheon meadia
This native perennial has a range that spans throughout the central and eastern United States, where it can be found growing in a variety of habitats with acidic to neutral soils. Its nodding flowers resemble a shooting star and are usually white or lilac in color.
This particular plant was growing in a dolomite glade, but I've also found this species growing in moist, open forests over sandstone before.
April 18th, 2024
Jefferson County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline
Wood Wakerobin
Trillium viride
Endemic to east-central Missouri and south-west Illinois, this trillium species can be found growing in woods with rich soils and on rocky slopes. It blooms in mid to late spring and there are lookalike trilliums; however, T. viride has a characteristic unique only to it - tiny, yet visible stomata that look like white dots all over the top of its leaves.
April 17th, 2024
St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline
American Water Willow
Justicia americana
This native perennial loves water and can be found in very moist habitats. Its native range spans from Texas, throughout much of the eastern United States, to southeastern Canada. I found this blooming plant with purple and white bicolored flowers among a small colony growing in the middle of a shallow creek.
June 6, 2023
Shannon County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
A very handsome male.
April 23rd, 2024
Jefferson County, Missouri, USA
Olivia R. Myers
@oliviarosaline