Aster Family Height: 1-6 feet September 18, 2005 Anyone with a long-haired dog who has had a close encounter with the seeds of this plant will not soon forget it! These hooked seeds are said to be precursor of the wonderful invention called "Hook and Loop Fastener" (a.k.a. Velcro tm. ). This is another of those weird monoecious Composites! The male (staminate) flowers are the little off-white clusters, the female (pistillate) flowers are the burs. The burs contain the seeds which are spread by animals. The seeds and seedlings are poisonous to swine, rodents, cattle, and humans, they contain the toxin carboxyatractyloside. Where seen: widespread Formerly known as: Xanthium chinense
Aster Family These plants have sticky, milky sap. Annual or Biennial Where seen: Big Ridge SP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP
Mint Family I was thrilled to find this beautiful flower blooming in Frozen Head State Park in early September. It has long, curving, protruding stamens that give the plant the common name, Blue Curls. I have seen this flower in books and have wanted to see it in the wild for many years. Annual Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Frozen Head SP
