These plants are the smallest flowering plants in the world, it would require a microscope to see the flowers! They can completely cover a pond. Ducks like to eat Duckweed.
Cattail Family I photographed this cattail while the flower was still in its green stage. The yellow staminate flowers at the top of the spike are loaded with pollen, but the unfertilized green pistilate flowers have not yet turned brown. Cattails are important plants in wetlands; many animals utilize them for food and shelter. They also trap pollutants and silt to help clean water. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, widespread
Composite Family Pilewort is a member of the Composite Family. Although these may look like unopened buds, these flowers are in bloom. Each "flower" is made up of several small florets. The stamens and curled, Y-shaped pistils mature at different rates. Notice the small black wasp on the flowers at the lower left. Annual Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, widespread
