Zig-zag Goldenrod
(Solidago flexicaulis)

Description: Stem zig-zags. Leaves broad. Prefers moist, shaded sites such as edges of swamps.

Habitat:

Height: 80 cm

Flowering: July - August

Blue-stem Goldenrod
(Solidago caesia)

Description: One of the last of the goldenrods to flower. Flowers in small clusters in leaf axils all away along the stems. Leaf narrow and elongate.

Habitat:

Height: 1 m

Flowering: September - August

Canada Goldenrod
(Solidago canadensis)

Description: Perennial plant. Bright yellow mass of flowers actually many small flowerheads, each of which in turn is composed of disk and ray flowers. The plumes tend to droop in an arch. Flowers in late-summer.

Habitat:

Height: 1 m

Flowering: August - November

Bush Honeysuckle
(Diervilla lonicera)

Description: Normally a low-growing forest floor plant that can become shrubby. Leaf margins are toothed. Flowers are pale-yellow, sometimes tinged orange.

Habitat: Woodland. Dry soils.

Height: 1 m

Flowering: June

Bird's-foot Trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus)

Description: A legume capable of growing well in poor soils where it can form widespread mats. Introduced from Europe as a stock feed, it has become naturalized throughout North America. Bright yellow flowers have the swollen petals typical of the Pea family. Fruit is a pod which resembles a bird's foot. Introduced from Europe. Perennial wildflower which grows in clumps and can form dense mats. Distinctive leaves warrant closer examination to see the three clover-like leaflets and two more separate at the base. Birdsfoot trefoil is a widely distributed Old world perennial forage legume found in wild and naturalized populations throughout temperate regions of the world. It has been cultivated for cattle fodder because it does well in very poor soils and has a high protein content.

Habitat: Open, sunny habitats, especially roadsides, abandoned fields.

Height: 75 cm

Flowering: June

Common (Tall) Buttercup
(Ranunculus acris)

Description: The lustre on the flower petals is due to a waxy coating. Leaves and stems have a bitter juice. Introduced from Europe. Bright, shiny yellow flowers on long stems with deeply serrated leaves. Quite different from the compact Marsh Marigold which flowers earlier in similar habitat. and has become naturalized here, preferring open meadows and disturbed areas.

Habitat: Prefers wet or damp situations, such as edges of marsh, stream.

Height: 60 cm

Flowering: June - September