July 15, 2021 Groundcherries (Physalis spp.) are perennial herbs in the nightshade family. There are seven native species of ground cherry in Virginia that can be distinguished by the shapes and textures of their leaves and flowers, but they all can be identified by their drooping, bell-shaped yellow flowers and golden fruits enclosed by papery heart-shaped husks.  They can be found in a variety of habitats and can be weedy in disturbed area such as pastures and agricultural fields. When ripe, […]

Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern and central United States and Canada.Grows from thick rhizomes as arched, unbranching stems with alternate leaves.Attractive to numerous native pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds.Hanging umbels of flowers differentiate it from its lookalike, Eastern Solomon’s Plume, which forms a plume of flowers at the end of each stem. Solomon’s […]