My understanding is that this is a color form of regular violets — the pale grayish lavender is supposed to resemble the color of Confederate uniforms. A gift from Dr. Whiteside. Native.
Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana)
I was away for a week and it rained a lot, so now there are so many new things blooming! Thanks to Alert Flowerophile Alyson for noticing this tiny bit of blue in my yard. The flower is about 1/8 inch across. Family Figwort.
Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis)
I originally posted this picture April 27, but I just now identified it. Quite tiny. Plantain family.
Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia)
Also called Purple Archangel. Native to Europe and Asia. It is often found near Henbit Deadnettle (see earlier post) and they look a lot alike. “Though superficially similar to a NETTLE in appearance, it is not related and does not STING, hence the name “deadnettle.” Hm. Young plants have edible tops and leaves!
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)
Another beautiful name. Saw these at Red Wing. Love the color and the smudges of pollen.
Common Blue-eyed Grass (sisyrinchium montanum)
Growing in sandy dry soil by a mailbox on Walker Lane. It’s tiny. Maybe as it flowers more I’ll figure it out.
This morning we went on a novice birding hike at Redwing Bay. The leader, Peter Oehlkers, is also the Trustees’ birdhouse monitor, so he could let us have a look at a nest, and it had an egg! It was very interesting hearing my familiar stomping grounds through new ears, listening to the bird calls. Beautiful morning! Bonus picture:
At Centennial, I saw only one single bloom of this, but down the street by Walker Pond, there is quite a colony. They’re beautiful — the color so subtle. Cannot find why they are called Quaker Ladies!
Bluets, Quaker Ladies (Houstonia caerulea)
Saw this at Elm Bank today but can’t identify it. Ideas, flowerophiles? Maybe it’s not wild and that’s why I can’t find it in the usual places. Look at the pollen on the petals…
Bonus mystery purple flower: some variety of violet with dark leaves, and a spur on the back of the blossom. At Ridge Hill today.
