Welcome to the second of my posts on the wildflowers I saw while on vacation in Rhode Island. (If you missed part one, you can see it here.) Some of these I remember from my childhood, others seem to be new to me. As I said yesterday, maybe I’m just more interested now and, thus, am paying attention! The two places I took all these pictures were Beavertail Lighthouse State Park in Jamestown, RI, and what used to be Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, RI. Beavertail is my favorite place in the world, and Rocky Point is an iconic childhood memory. I’m happy to share these flower pictures with you!
While walking around the former Rocky Point Amusement Park, I saw fields of this beautiful flower (as shown in the picture at the top). At first, I thought it was heather, but upon closer examination, I think the flowers are different. According to my father (and his wildflower book), this is probably purple loosestrife.
Purple loosestrife
I don’t remember ever seeing these flowers, but they’re pretty.
Common Mullein
Common Tansy
My father remembers this plant from his childhood – and warned us about how the fruit will stain your clothing. The native Americans used this plant’s fruit as a dye, thus the plant’s nickname of Indian Ink Plant.
Pokeweed or Indian Ink Plant
I remember this plant – and the allergies it often aggravates in many.
Goldenrod
This is a very intriguing plant. And despite the name, it is not poisonous if you touch it. At least, according to what I read!
Staghorn Sumac
I do remember this tree when I was little! When I saw it again (after YEARS of not seeing it), so many childhood memories returned. What a unique tree.
Indian Bean Tree or Catawba tree
I am not a botanist, and most of my plant identification here (and in part one) was done with research. If I’ve misidentified any plant, please let me know!
Sanctuary Gardener 