Wildflower Walk - Lebanon Town Green 2021

Sunday was a beautiful day for taking a springtime wildflower walk. We drove up Rt. 87 to Lebanon, a rural agricultural community with many historic homes, farms, and no big box stores or fast food restaurants. At the intersection of Rt. 207 is the town green, not a modern mowed green, but an old style meadow used for mowing hay to feed local livestock. 

Lebanon Town Green - Lebanon, Connecticut (founded in 1700)

I found out about the wildflower walk while searching the events calendar at https://thelastgreenvalley.org/ . Our tour was lead by a wildflower enthusiast who lives across the street from the green. She pointed out approximately twenty wildflowers I would have missed, if not for her experienced guidance. There is a paved path around the green for an easy 1-1/2 mile walk. Below are a few photos of both native and non-native wildflowers in the town green meadow.

Common Blue Violet (Viola papilionacea) - Native

Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) - Introduced from Europe

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) - Introduced from Europe and Asia

 Clover (Trifolium) - Native 

Clover is actually a legume rather than a wildflower. It  makes its own nitrogen and fixes it in the soil. Prior to World War II, clover was an intentional and healthy part of  American lawns.

View of the meadow showing the red tones of Wood Betony under the tree

Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) - Native

Bluets (Houstonia caerulea) - Native

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) - Native

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) - Native

White Campion (Silene latifolia) - Introduced from Europe

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) - Native

Fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus)  - Native; daisy like flowers enjoy the moisture along this roadside ditch

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) - Introduced from Europe and Asia

Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) - Native

Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium Purpureum) - Native to Europe and Asia

One last look across the meadow

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