Note the extra-floral nectaries (little green nodules) on the sepals of the Passionflower bud. They produce nectar to attract ants to protect the plant from Gluf Fritillary caterpillars and other leaf-eating insects. (See next photo for more information)
Aster Family Yes, this is the echinacea of medicinal "fame." The disk flowers in the center are very stiff and spiny, giving the plant its' genus name. "Echino" means spiny. These were photographed at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Perennial Where seen: University of Tennessee Arboretum, Big South Fork NRRA
Loosestrife Family I was excited to find this flower along the road at Big South Fork (while I was looking at another flower); I had just read about it in one of my identification books. What good timing! It is very sticky which is why it is called "clammy" in the common name, "viscosissima" in the species name. Note the tiny hairs on the flower. Annual Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Big South Fork NRRA, Warriors' Path SP
