need help to ID Ohio wildflowers

Hi -

I recently relocated to SE Ohio and have come across several wildflowers I have been unable to ID. If anyone can help I would be most grateful. All of the flowers were found blooming in May 2007 and are located near Stewart, OH. I thought this violet had unusual leaves, they are more arrow-head shaped rather than the typical heart-shape. The upper petals were swept backward. I have additional pics of some of these so if anyone wants to see them, just let me know.

This is my first time posting to the forum so I hope the pics came thru OK.

Thanks so much,
Diana

 

#2 probably arrowleaf violet, Viola sagittata

 

#4 I think it is Eastern Waterleaf, Hydrophyllum virginianum.

 

#1 looks like a vetch, maybe wood vetch, Vicia caroliniana

 

#3 something in the mustard family
#5 mint family
#6 looks almost like wild ginseng but not exactly

 

Thank-you; it does look very similar so this must be it (#2 arrowleaf violet).

 

#4 Eastern waterleaf - I agree, this is it. Thank-you !

 

#1 wood vetch - yep, that's it.

 

I believe I finally found #5. It looks like Synandra hispidula, a very rare plant with only a few populations known. One population is around Glouster, Ohio, which is only 15 miles from Athens.
Here is some more information from the Center for Plant Conservation.
Another link.

 

#5 - yes, this is it !! The pictures in the link are much better than mine; this is definitely it. Thank you so much. How exciting to have discovered a rare species nearby. What should I do ? Is there someone I should notify to make sure it is protected ? There is a fairly good-sized patch of it growing alongside a back road, but not so big when you consider it is rare. Athens is the nearest large town to us but we don't actually live there. Glouster is not far from us at all.

 

I think your photos are excellent. Here is a list of contacts in Ohio.

 

Here are some additional photos of #5 Synandra hispidula and #6 which might help with ID'ing that one. Sorry about the photo quality, I'm still learning how to use this camera. All pics were taken on May 19th & May 20th.

 

I believe #6 is dwarf ginseng, Panax trifolius.

 

I believe you are correct yet again !! I don't know how to thank you for all your help identifying these wildflowers; it means so much to me. I have bookmarked all of the web-sites you referred me to. I also found 3 contacts in the CPC Plant Conservation Directory who are very close to where I live. I will be contacting them soon re: Synandra hispidula. I'll let you know what they say. I'm planning to go back out tomorrow to try & get some more photos. Thanks also for the compliment on my pics; I'm trying :)

Hope you're having a great weekend, you certainly made mine. Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday !

Thank-you thank-you thank-you,
Diana

 

I believe number three is Iodanthus pinnitafidus - those reflexed petals are fairly distinctive. The leaf is a bit of an oddball in the mustard family, too.

Please keep us informed about what occurs with the Synandra hispidula with the CPC.

 

Thanks Daniel, you are correct re: Iodanthus pinnitafidus. Tipularia pointed me to contact info for some local botanists here in Ohio, and one of them has confirmed this also (common name is purple rocket).

Number 2 is actually Viola palmata, or three-lobed violet. This was confirmed by an internationally known Viola taxonomy expert, Harvey Ballard.

The Synandra hispidula is no longer listed as a rare species in Ohio, although it occurs infrequently and is still being closed monitored. I was able to confirm the ID thru Philip Cantino, who has been monitoring various populations for the past 10 years. They were unaware of the colony I stumbled upon, so I remain very grateful to this forum and tipluaria for providing the ID and information regarding this species.

#6 is actually large flower valerian, or Valeriana paiciflora. This was confirmed by our national forest botanist and Phil Cantino.

Thanks again to everyone for his/her help with the IDs.

Diana