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Signs: American Vetch/ Low Goldenrod
Located in the Signal Hill Nature Habitat
(Click on the picture for larger view)
(Unless otherwise indicated, photos by Don of www.Tatagwa.com)
American Vetch
(Vicia americana Muhl. var. minor Hook)
A low trailing vine, this plant is common on the prairies and often survives cultivation. The leaves are made up of 8 to 12 long, narrow leaflets with the terminal leaflet replaced by a tendril. Flowers are a bluish purple, nearly 2cm long, and born in clusters of two to six. This plant blooms in June-July and is very common on the prairies.
Low Goldenrod
(Solidago missouriensis Nutt.)
This is usually the first goldenrod to bloom in the fall (June to August).
It is low growing (5 to 45cm tall) with a reddish stem and two types
of leaves. The lower leaves are narrowly oval on stalks. The upper leaves
are linear (narrow) and clasping the stem. Small bright yellow flowers
are in a terminal head 5 to 7cm long and triangular in shape.
Natives used this plant and its close relative Graceful Goldenrod
as a sore throat remedy. Low Goldenrod is found most often on dry
prairies and hillsides.