Michigan Wildflower Adventures

Often when I want to avoid completing some other project I swore I would finish, I find another project to occupy my time. The same applies with this situation: I was supposed to write a college essay, but, instead, I grabbed my camera and rode my bike around my local lake and park, capturing photos of anything with petals and a stem.

Here are my findings:

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace (not to be confused with poison hemlock, a similar looking plant that is very deadly) is a wildflower herb that looks very carrot-like at a young age, edible, and is even said to smell like carrots! I will have to confirm that last one later. The flower's name derives from Queen Anne of England who was known for her lace making. At the center of this flower (which can be seen in the photo above) is a dark floret which legend states is a drop of the queen's blood after she accidentally pricked herself with a needle. Some people call it a fairy seat, and I think that is super freaking awesome. In many states, this flower is considered an invasive weed, but I find them to be very beautiful and a nice touch to the lake-side tall grass.

Rudbeckia Hirta (Black-eyed Susan)

After intense research, I am almost 99% sure that this flower is a Rudbeckia Hirta flower, commonly known as the Black-eyed Susan flower. It was either this or a Coneflower. Even if the photo is incorrect, this information will not be. The Black-eyed Susan has been Maryland's state flower since 1918. These flowers are butterfly and bee magnets. In fact, I even saw a beautiful monarch perch on one before fluttering away.

Wild Bergamot

This is perhaps one of the strangest flowers I have seen, and I found it right in my neighborhood. I've done some research on this flower and really there isn't much to say about it except that it looks exotic and shouldn't be in Michigan, of all places. It's a pretty shade of purple, though. Moving on.

Swamp Milkweed

The Swamp Milkweed featured in this picture have not quite bloomed all the way, but maybe that makes it even more interesting. The young leaves, shoots, and the seed pods of the Swamp Milkweed are edible when cooked, but if eaten raw, the outcome is not very good. Of course, this information is crucial and, if anything, life or death. I know I'll remember this the next time I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere-Michigan. How about you?

---

All information provided is linked to the title of each type of wildflower. Thank you for joining me on my wildflower adventure! The days were mild and I kept running into my freshman English teacher. I guess every adventure holds its surprises.