Pea Family (INN) Rank 1 This non-native bush clover is a very common roadside plant. It is a favorite of deer and rabbits. Bees are often seen visiting these flowers. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Warrior's Path SP, widespread
Spurge Family I bought the Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas, a three-inch thick "Mother-of-All-Plant-ID-Books" for this area. This plant is listed in the Euphorbia family with just the scientific name listed. The 6-petaled flowers, which bloom in the leaf axils, are pinhead-sized. The green seed pods form just below the leaves. I found this blooming in the garden at my school at my school in July. I imagine it was brought in with the topsoil when the garden was built in 1996. Annual Where seen: Oak Ridge
Mallow Family Look at the leaves of this plant compared to the Swamp Rose Mallow. These leaves are spear-shaped. Note the multiple-stigmas on the pistil. Perennial Where seen: Cove Lake State Park Formerly known as: Hibiscus militaris
