July Blooms and Butterflies: Part 2

In Part 1, I noted some of the most common wildflowers found in the park in mid-July. They will be there for the July 14 nature walk and the next time I go after that.

Butterflies, on the other hand, do not stay in one place. I am never entirely sure what I will see, though a few are seen almost every visit. Here are some often present in EHP in mid-July.

The first three can be considered large, as butterflies go.

Monarch

 

E. Black Swallowtail

 

E. Tiger Swallowtail

The next 6 are smaller, but not among the many very small butterflies. I characterize them as mid-size.

Clouded Sulfur   Photo by Margaret Weber

 

Red Admiral

 

Little Wood-satyr

 

Cabbage White

 

Silver-spotted Skipper

 

Common Wood-nymph

The last two pictured here are small. There are almost always additional small butterflies flittering around that I am not able to identify.

Banded Hairstreak

 

Crescent       Photo by Margaret Weber

It is very difficult to tell the different between Pearl Crescent and Northern Crescent. They are very similar. I think the one in the photo might be a Northern Crescent, but Pearl Crescent is more common in southern Michigan and more likely to be seen in EHP in the summer.

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I have always considered a day of seeing 6 or more different species of butterfly a very good butterfly day. On sunny days in July in Eliza Howell, there is often a very good butterfly day.

July Blooms and Butterflies: Part 1

The middle of July is a great time to walk among (or at the edges of) the blooming wildflowers that cover much of the un-mowed sections of Eliza Howell fields. The pictures below are of some of the most common and easily seen species present at this time.

All or almost all of these can be found in the park areas outside the road loop on the south side, where native prairie seeds were spread a number of years ago.

NOTE: These flowers will be featured in the public nature walk on July 14, 2018, at 11:00.

The blooming flowers attract many butterflies and other insects. Part 2 will identify some of the butterflies most frequently seen in July in EHP.

Wild Bergamot

Bergamot is similar to the “beebalm” often grown in flower gardens, but is not red like the most common cultivated variety. It might be the most common flower of all in the park in July.

 

Heliopsis

A variety of tall perennial yellow flowers are native to North America. Many bloom a little later in the year. Heliopsis blooms in July.

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye Weed, another tall perennial, is just beginning to bloom. It is reportedly named after a Native American who took the name “Joe Pye” and was known for using this plant for medicinal purposes.

 

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan is another flower that is widely used in home gardens.

 

Queen Anne’s Lace

This flower, related to the cultivated carrot, is sometimes called “wild carrot.” Its flower (flat cluster – umbel – on top), rather than its root, is the primary attraction.

 

Purple Coneflower

If interested in watching for butterflies and bees (and possibly hummingbirds), taking a position near the coneflowers is a good strategy.

 

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed is a member of the milkweed family and, true to its name, attracts many butterflies, especially Monarchs.

 

Mullein

Mullein is sometimes called the “velvet plant” for the soft feel of the leaves. It has a single tall flowering stem. The stems are strong enough that the previous-year dead stalks are sometimes still standing the next summer.

 

Chicory

There are not nearly as many blue flowers as there are yellow and white and purple; chicory is one. Its roots have often been ground and used as a coffee additive or even a coffee substitute.

 

 

Bouncing Bet 

This is often called “soapwort” and was\is used to make soap. As I understand it, “bouncing bet” was a term sometimes used for washerwoman.

 

Crown Vetch

Because of its thick spreading growth, Crown Vetch was brought to the US for erosion control in the middle of the 20^th century. It has now become naturalized and is found in many parts of the country.

 

Canada Thistle

Canada Thistle is nearing the end of its blooming season in the middle of July, but it continues to attract insects and birds. Goldfinches will be in the thistle patches for the next few weeks, eating the seeds.

 

Sweetclover

Both Yellow and White Sweetclover, usually considered separate species, are found in EHP and both can be seen in this picture. Sweetclover is a popular species for honey production.

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These are among the most easily spotted wild flowers in the middle of July in Eliza Howell Park. They attract not only butterflies (see Part 2) and bees, but also humans like me.

July 14 Wildflower and Butterfly Walk: An Invitation

The middle of July is an excellent time to see blooming wildflowers in Eliza Howell Park and to look for the butterflies that are attracted to them.

Anyone interested is welcome to join us for a guided walk among the flowers on Saturday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m. We will meet about halfway around the road loop from the Fenkell entrance. This is a good occasion for taking pictures. Clothing appropriate for walking among the plants is recommended. Stay as long or as briefly as desired.