How to Identify it: A vine with a drooping cluster of purple curling petalled flowers with a yellow cone in the center which is tipped with white.
This is a European species, often found sprawling or climbing over other vegetation to reach open sunny conditions. The flowers appear in June and by August are replaced with translucent red berries which are eaten by birds but poisonous to humans.
How to Identify it: Bright blue flowers with many petals on mostly leafless stems, the majority of the dandelion-like leaves are on the ground.
This is a classic weed plant, growing in vacant lots and along road edges. It flowers late in the summer, starting around the 4th of July and so it is favored by butterflies. This plant has a deep tap root which enables it to live in a hardest of packed soils. It is from europe and the dried and roasted root is widely used as a coffee substitute.
How to Identify it: Several purple flowers, 6 petals, with yellow centers clustered towards the top of stems. Leaves like coarse grass, only slightly shorter than the flower stalks.
Found in dry meadows, sometimes in abundance. Flowers in May and June. The bulbs were an important native food source.
How to Identify it: Clusters of tiny, two lipped purple flowers in a dense head, stems square, leaves opposite.
The plant blooms from April to July and is a favorite of bumblebees and other nectar seeking insects. Widely used as a medicinal herb.
How to Identify it: Unique thistle-like flower, with bands of tiny purple flowerlets in large spiked head. Leaves large, up to 12 inches long and opposite on stem. Stems also very prickly with small, down turned thorns.
This is a non native plant that grows 4 or more feet tall and stands noticably above the surrounding grasses in open fields and meadows. It is thoroughly armed and even the leaves have a fine but penetrating prickle. Flowers start blooming in June in a band in the middle of the flower head then bloom towards the top and bottom of the head in bands. The flowers turn into brown, dry heads with stiff encircling bracts. These heads were once used to tease wool, hence the common name of teasel. In September, the seeds are a favorite of the goldfinch. The tough, woody stalks often stand all winter.
