Common St. John's Wort, introduced from Europe but common here now, is treated like a noxious weed in the western U.S. This herb is used to treat mild depression by some.   

For the past couple of weeks, I've posted photos of what I called Roadside Wonders. This is my third post with 12 more wildflowers found on the sides of roads. I took the photos during the past week in the area where New York, Vermont and Massachusetts come together--where I live. Enjoy!

Very fragrant Elderberry flowers. Later, these flowers will turn to black berries. I took this of a bush across the road from our house.


Canadian Thistle. Although beautiful, Canadian Thistle is considered an invasive plant and destroyed with vigor.

Bitter Dock. You have to get up close to truly appreciate this beauty.

Common Mullein. This is just the top of this mighty plant with velvety leaves, which can grow to seven feet high, but usually four to five feet around here.

The native Common Cattail grows in freshwater marshes or ditches. Most of the plant is edible, although I haven't tried it.

 Meadowsweet, which smells just like its name, is a native shrub.

Common Milkweed, another fragrant flower, is known for its sole source of food for the Monarch Butterfly. In my Independence Day photo collection here, I showed a Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly drinking its nectar. The stem contains a white sap. The leaves are very sturdy. I love this flower.

Motherwort has been used to treat menstrual disorders and as a stimulant. A close-up of the flower follows.

Motherwort flower (see above).  An amazing bloom, isn't it?

Peppergrass or Poor-man's Pepper has many seeds that taste like pepper. You can see the seeds on the left.

Two-flowered Cynthia, a native perennial, has delicate forked petals that I appreciate. 

Tall Meadow Rue can grow to eight feet and is liked by bees and butterflies.

Copyright Sheba Marx