Cedar Glades Wildflower Festival

Last weekend I went to the Annual Elsie Quarterman Wildflower Festival at Cedars of Lebanon State Park for the first time. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day!

Miami mist (Phacelia purshii) on Hidden Springs Trail

wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) growing outside the park visitor center

The wild columbine is the only native columbine of eastern North America and is pollinated by hummingbirds (source).

squaw root (Conopholis americana) growing at the base of an oak tree along Hidden Springs Trail

This species of plant lacks chlorophyl and parasitizes oak tree roots (source).

Ozark phlox (Phlox pilosa ssp. ozarkana) along Hidden Springs Trail

Nashville breadroot (Pediomelum subacaule) along Hidden Springs Trail

pearl crescents (Phyciodes tharos) having a roadside meeting

common fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) on Hidden Springs Trail

The festival featured several hikes and events including a bird walk led by Melissa Turrentine, cedar glade hikes with Todd Crabtree, Milo Pyne, and Darel Hess, landscaping with native plants with Linda Robertson, an edible plants ramble with Sharon Bracey, and so much more! I will definitely be going back next year!