Maple trees  are red and nuts are falling here in the Berkshires. As much as I hate to see summer dwindle, the Fall is when most tourists visit here. They are called leaf peepers. Our area thrives on their trade and we thank them generously when they stop to eat or purchase a memento. If they journey into the woods, there are still blooms. I've captured seven native wildflowers and herbs here. Enjoy!

Impatiens pallida or Pale Touch-me-not or Jewelweed. Earlier, I posted the Spotted Touch-me-not, which is orange, and appears to be more common. These are spotted too with dark red color. The plants are usually several feet tall and also can be seen on the side of our roads here. They hang from delicate stems and are a favorite of hummingbirds. I've seen more hummingbirds and dragonflies this year than I've ever seen in my life:  Another one of the joys of being unemployed and having the time to notice my surroundings.

Chelone glabra or White Turtlehead. I found this in our dried swamp. Because our area is down more than five inches of rain, the ground is bearing fewer marsh flowers this year. This perennial is also cultivated. Native Americans used tea of the flowers to treat worms.

Arisaema triphyllum or Jack-in-the-pulpit.  I posted this flower's bloom, as well as the berries when they were green. The berries have now turned bright red and brighten the forest floor. The roots of Jack-in-the-pulpits have been used to treat coughs and colds internally and boils and sores externally.

Eupatorium rugosum or White Snakeroot. This plant, which is usually a couple of feet tall, is all over our woods right now. According to my guide, White Snakeroot is toxic to cows and to humans if you drink the cow's milk. This "milk sickness" claimed thousands in the early 1800's, including Abraham Lincoln's mother who died when Lincoln was seven years old. The disease is rarely seen today.

Lobelia inflata or Indian Tobacco. This flower is difficult to photograph because it is less than a quarter-inch in size. It is said that Native Americans smoked and chewed its leaves, hence its common name, to help with sore throats, coughs and asthma. It was widely used as a herb in America in the 1800's to induce vomiting, as a sedative, and for asthma, coughs and fevers. Lobeline in the plant was used commercially in quit smoking lozenges, patches and gums. The pale blue flowers are beautiful. 

Epifagus virginiana or Beechdrops. I walked by this flower many times before I saw it. It grows from the roots of Beech trees. This one was sheltered by a small tree in a dark location, but not far from my path entering the woods. Beechdrops remind me of Indian Pipe, which I showed you here, because it also feeds from tree roots though has no color. It has herbal qualities too. According to a Peterson Field Guild, the "highly astringent tea" of the whole Beechdrops plant has been used for diarrhea, dysentery and mouth sores.

Prenanthes alba or White Lettuce or White Rattlesnake Root. Native Americans used this powdered root to stimulate milkflow after childbirth. Poulticed leaves were used on snakebites.

All rights reserved Sheba Marx. For Sheba Marx's Good Things about Unemployment, see unemployedmarx.blogspot.com.