This flower cluster had ants and a daddy-long-legs on it. Note the fuzz on the sepals and the very long stamens on the flowers! This plant is in the Waterleaf family. The scientific name has the same meaning as the common name.
Waterleaf Family I couldn't believe what it took to get a picture of this flower! I had tried for 3 weeks in a row to find it in bloom. Each trip involved going about 1/2-mile (one way)along the Wildflower Greenway trail in Oak Ridge. Hiking 1/2-mile is not difficult, but this trail has several large trees that have fallen over it which involves a lot of crawling under or climbing over 9 branches and trunks. There is also a lot of mud to walk through on the trail and a creek to cross. When I finally found the flowers blooming, I was dismayed to see that some insect had eaten the leaves off all the plants! My legs were itching from wood nettles and mosquito bites, then I started feeling raindrops and hearing thunder, so I had to head back dissatisfied because I wasn't happy with my pictures. When I went to cross back over the creek, I suddenly noticed a group of the flowers with the leaves intact! My "mission" was finally accomplished! Perennial Where seen:Oak Ridge Greenways, Big South Fork NRRA, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP (story)
