A walk along the Farmington River trail:
Jerusalem artichoke (not from Jerusalem and not an artichoke!)
White snakeroot, an aster with only disk flowers
Jewelweed
Wild cucumber
White wood aster
Purple-flowering raspberry
American germander
Alfalfa, not to be mistaken for purple loosestrife, which blooms at the same time. Definitely a member of the pea family, it even has 3-part leaves like clover.
Alfalfa with pea pods
Nodding smartweed, closeup shows five very small petal-colored sepals open
Scientific names and families:
Jerusalem artichoke/Helianthus tuberosus – Aster Family: Asteraceae
White snakeroot/Ageratina altissima – Aster Family: Asteraceae
Jewelweed/Impatiens capensis – Touch-me-not Family: Balsaminaceae
Wild cucumber/Echinocystis lobata – Gourd Family: Cucurbitaceae
White wood aster/Eurybia divaricata – Aster Family: Asteraceae
Purple-flowering raspberry/Rubus adoratus – Rose Family: Rosaceae
American germander/Teucrium canadense – Mint Family: Lamicaceae
Alfalfa/Medicago sativa – Pea Family: Fabaceae
Nodding smartweed/Persicaria lapathifolia – Buckwheat Family: Polygonaceae
