senna

Wild Senna Cassia hebecarpa or Senna hebecarpa grows in the riparian area around our pond. The seeds may be eaten by wild turkeys, wandering through, and the flowers attract bumblebees who are looking for pollen. The plant also has "extra-floral nectaries" which are a nectar source separate from the flowers; they are adjacent to flower buds on the stems. Read more at 

https://xerces.org/blog/plants-for-pollinators-wild-senna.

blue lobelia and goldenrod

 

August wildflowers

In the middle of August, the birds that nested here near the pond are busy teaching their young to hunt. Or maybe they are hiding while they molt into new fresh feathers.  

Meanwhile, the late blooming native plants have grown tall and display their splendid blossoms.  

Ironweed Veronia fasciculata blooms purple and Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata grows next to the pond.  They both attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

summer blooms

Yellow Loosestrife Lysmachia blooms among the grasses in the wetland around our pond.  

summer native bloomers

Blossoming among the grasses and rushes around the pond are Blue Vervain, Culvers Root, Wild Bergamot, Evening Primrose. Seed heads of Penstemon stand as they dry in the sun.