Common Flower Gems - Classification #10 Low False Bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea)

I found this low growing white and funnel shaped flower in the Jersey Area near my job. At first I thought it was just some field bindweed but upon closer inspection I noticed it was growing straight up from the ground without any twisting vines but a low erect stalk. A pretty interesting find and a common flower gem indeed. 

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 9- Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

Low growing perennial, Creeping Buttercup

Haven't really seen too many of these creeping buttercup flowers in my area. Usually has 5 petals but can have up to 10. Sure its classified as a weed (its extremely toxic to grazing animals and is an aggressive grower) but when it comes to weed its survival of the fittest.

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 7 - Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

This scraggly-looking plant is a sure sign of Spring

I spotted this Chicory flower species all over my neighborhood including parking lots, lawns, roadsides, and park areas. This is a personal favorite of mine because it resembles a Dandelion but has a variety of colors and shades as opposed to only yellow. Its also completely edible and is used as a coffee substitute. Blue shades are the most common but there are also white, purple, and pink varieties. I've yet to encounter one but I will be sure to be on the look out.

I found a rare pink/purplish version but this is as close as I could get...thanks fence.

Here are some images of White and Blue Chicory. (Proxy Image)

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 6 Yellow Woodsorrel/Yellow Oxalis (Oxalis Stricta)

The yellow flower of this clover species has 3 heart-shaped leaves 

Wow I keep coming across a new species of flower I previously missed every new trip to the park. Common Yellow Woodsorrel is known by many other names including common yellow oxalis, sour grass, shamrock, sleeping beauty, sour trefoil, and sheep's clover. This woodsorrel is unique because tends to grow in a more upright fashion than other wood sorrels (stricta means "upright"). Other varieties include white, pink, blue, and purple

The vivid yellow flower has 5 petals. All its parts are perpendicular to the stem nearly horizontal to the ground 

Far out shot of the lemon grass bunch, which also happen to be edible.

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 5 Dandelion (Taraxacum)

White Dandelion puffs are composed of hundreds of seed heads which are often carried as far as 5 miles from their origin!

I pulled some info online about Dandelions so I urged you to learn more about this common flower gem that is native to Eurasia and North and South America. Every year Americans spend millions on lawn pesticides to have uniform lawns of non-native grasses, and we use 30% of the country’s water supply to keep them green. The dandelion is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.

Fun Facts :

• The dandelion flower opens to greet the morning and closes in the evening to go to sleep.
• Every part of the dandelion is useful: root, leaves, flower. It can be used for food, medicine and dye for coloring.
• Up until the 1800s people would pull grass out of their lawns to make room for dandelions and other useful “weeds” like chickweed, malva, and chamomile.
• The average American recognizes thousands of logos for commercial products, yet recognizes fewer than five plants that grow in his/her area. Dandelions are most likely one of those familiar plants.
• The name dandelion is taken from the French word “dent de lion” meaning lion’s tooth, referring to the coarsely-toothed leaves.
• Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant.

Yellow Dandelion head is composed of hundreds of florets

Common Flower Gems - Classification #4 Yellow Toadflax/Wild Snapdragon (Linaria vulgaris)

Its yellow, showy petals are quite a sight.

Today's common flower gem is the Perrenial Yellow Toadflax, known also as Wild Snapdragon because of its yellow and orange Snapdragon-like flowers. According to Wikepedia, it is a species of toadflax, native to most of Europe and northern Asia, from the United Kingdom south to Spain in the west, and east to eastern Siberia and western China. It has also been introduced and is now common in North America as you can see from these pictures below which were taken here in my local NY neighborhood.

I found these in the same empty lot as the amazing Bull Thistle wildflowers which I identify here.

Common Flower Gems - Classification # 3 Bull Thistle (Spear Thistle)

The Bull Thistle or Spear Thistle wildflower gets its name from its prickly flower parts. Birds and insects love it because of its delicious nectar. 

I spotted this one in an vacant lot near in my neighborhood and this is the first time I've ever seen this flower. It is an attention grabber and classified as a invasive weed in some areas. It is widespread and grows everywhere from the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Scotland. 

Apparently its been watered daily with coffee as you can see by the cups. In all seriousness, hold onto your trash and don't litter.

Common Flower Gems - Classification #2 Field Bindweed/Hedge Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

White Hedge Bindweed I spotted at a distance 

Due to common confusion among the two, I've included both Field Bindweed and Hedge Bindweed, its larger counterpart. At first glance, this perennial vine is strikingly similar to the Moonflower with its funnel shaped corolla and arrowhead shaped leaves. But don't be fooled, this impostor below is actually Hedge Bindweed, a common weed in many regions. Difficult to remove due to its deep root system and rhizomes, its rhizome or root stalk (ginger being a type of root stalk) will form more roots and create new plants whenever they are pulled out of the ground. Very difficult to get rid of once infestation is 

Here's some Hedge Bindweed in light pink for all you ladies out there! An amazing and stunning field flower.

There were lots of Hedge Bindweed because it was late June and growth was at its peak.

6/22/15

Recent Photo of Hedge Bindweed

6/22/15

Another recent photo of Hedge Bindweed

6/22/15

More Hedge Bindweed

Here is the similar White Field Bindweed which is confused for Hedge Bindweed. Its  flowers and foliage are smaller and it has two Bracht's behind the flowers instead of just one large one at the base of each flower.

Field Bindweed is smaller than Hedge Bindweed; hence the name lesser bindweed.

Each vine stem will produce about 1-3 flowers.

I spotted some more hedge bindweed near a parking lot fence around my neighborhood too!

Common Flower Gems - Classification #1 Queen Annes Lace/Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)

Spotted this little guy on top. Supposedly I've hear there's a rare oddity where a purple floret blooms at the center so I will be on the lookout and be sure to post if I spot one.

So I was taking a stroll in my local NY park and realized something...I pass by so many flowers all the time, some numerous times throughout my entire life, but I still don't know what they're called. So in an attempt to remedy that, I will be researching & classifying common flowers and weeds that you might also recognize in your neighborhood and post a few facts and descriptions about them.

Queen Anne's Lace is quite lovely and easy to grow. It prefers a sunny position and a well-drained neutral to alkaline soil. Considered an obnoxious weed by some, it can spread very quickly. But the same is said about dandelions and they are among some of my favorite, also edible flowers. Common flowers get a bad rap if you ask me. This flowers numerous small white flower clusters and tall droopy stalk give it the same grace and beauty of a beautiful white swan.

The roots of  Queen Anne's Lace are similar to carrots and are also edible but can be easily mistaken for poison Hemlock.

Remember those purple florets I mentioned earlier?I found some today! And they weren't all that elusive afterall because I found several today.

And just for the heck of it, its a purple Queen Anne's Lace! (Proxy Image)