Despite winter’s approach, there are still quite a few plants blooming in along the seashore thanks to our notably long growing season. According to a study done by horticulturists at North Carolina State University, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has the longest growing season of all documented sites in North Carolina—averaging 282 days per year above 32°F! Here are a few flowers that have been dotting the seashore with color this fall. Pink mushily (Muhlenbergia filipes) and goldenrod (Solidago sp.) are often observed together in moist areas between dunes and along marsh edges. Pink muhly is a grass with long purple florets and goldenrod is an aster with clusters of yellow composite flowers. There are 18 different species of goldenrod documented within the seashore! Groundless tree (Baccharis halimifolia) can be found in various habitats. The female plant is pictured here, with its cottony white flower bristles. Golden aster (Chrysopsis sp. or Heterotheca sp.)— a prolific bloomer with yellow composite flowers—is observed in stable dune areas. False-foxglove (Agalinis purpurea)— pink-purple, funnel-shaped flowers with five finely hairy lobes—is spotted in wetter areas of the barrier islands. If you are fortunate to find yourself out and about on the Outer Banks this fall, be sure to keep an eye out for these small splendors.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:00:00 +0000