Aster Family These were found blooming in Oak Ridge in July. This plant is in the Composite family. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warriors' Path SP, widespread {Also known as Conoclinium coelestinum}
The Passionflower is the host plant for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. The plant has evolved extra-floral nectaries on the flower sepals and leaf bases to attract ants (see previous photo). Not to be outsmarted by a plant, this butterfly is laying one of her eggs on the end of the vine's tendrils. By the time the caterpillar eats its' way to the end of the tendril, it should be large enough to not be eaten by the ants. Isn't nature amazing?!
close-up of flowers Like all Blazing Stars, the flowers bloom from the top to the bottom of the stalk. It is easy to see the individual florets in each little "bouquet". Each little purple flower has both male and female parts, so each one can produce a single seed.
