Snapdragon Family These odd-looking flowers like to live near water, especially near streambanks. They are in the Snapdragon Family. There is a dark pink-flowered Red Turtlehead too. I got a laugh when I noticed the lower flower lip moving as if it were "talking," a bee was deep inside the flower! Note the bumblebee's head peeking out from the opening of the flower. Perennial Where seen: Oak Ridge Greenways, Great Smoky Mountain NP, Frozen Head SP, Warriors' Path SP (story)
Aster Family If cattle eat this plant their milk may be tainted with a toxin, called tremetol which causes "milk sickness." This plant was responsible for the death of Abraham Lincoln's mother. Grazing animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and pigs can be poisoned by White Snakeroot. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Cherokee National Forest, Warriors' Path SP {Formerly known as Eupatorium rugosum}
Aster Family This is a very late blooming woodland plant. Note the long pistils and anthers on the blooming flowers. Perennial Where seen: Great Smoky Mountains NP, Oak Ridge Greenways, Frozen Head SP
