Smartweed (Buckwheat) Family This is a very common roadside "weed." It is not an especially beautiful flower, but the seeds are important wildlife food. A small black beetle lays its eggs on the leaves, it is not uncommon to see the larvae eating aphids. I photographed this one during a run at the recycle center in Oak Ridge in late April. I take my camera everywhere, I never know where a flower I don't have will pop up! Dock leaves are poisonous to sheep and cattle due to the soluble oxilates. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, widespread
Cashew Family Learn how to identify this plant, it grows everywhere! All parts of the plant contain the rash-inducing oil, so it should be avoided. Remember the saying: "Leaves of 3, leave it be!" Many other plants have 3 leaflets too, so it is important to know the characteristics of Poison Ivy. The middle leaflet is on a long petiole (leaf stem), the 2 lower leaflets have very short petioles. The petioles of the lower leaflets are often a reddish color. The older vines are grayish-brown and hairy. Younger vines have smooth, light brown stems. In the fall the berries are white. I have added this plant in both woodland and roadside catagories because it grows wherever birds drop the seeds! I found this plant blooming in Oak Ridge. Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge, widespread
