The Clymene moth has a very distinctive cross pattern formed from dark bands on the forewings. Larvae of this species feed on a variety of plants including oaks, willows and peach trees. This adult is resting on a beautyberry leaf.

Butterfly Pea is a member of the Legume, or Bean Family, with a large butterfly-shaped flower attached to a slender vine. It is a hardy plant found in a variety of habitats including roadsides and disturbed areas.

Partridge Pea is another plant which tolerates harsh, dry habitat well and flowers copiously in the late summer through early fall. The leaflets are somewhat sensitive to touch and the fruit is a flattened bean.

Passionvine is a familiar and distinctive plant with an unusual, large, disk-like flower. The plant produces a lime sized green fruit which bursts easily when squeezed, or stepped on.

Swallowtails are among the most easily recognized butterflies but several species and several color morphs occur in Mississippi. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail occurs in this typical yellow form but some females are black. Larvae of this species feed on a variety of tree leaves including Tulip Poplar, Magnolia, Ash and Maple.

Clusters of bird-shaped, scarlet flowers on a tall slender stalk make Cardinal Flower one of our more distinctive summer-flowering plants. The species is probably pollinated by Hummingbirds.

Pokeberry, a common large plant in disturbed areas, produces clusters of purple berries in late summer. Beware, because these berries (and all other parts of this plant) contain toxic quantities of alkaloids which can result in death if consumed. The plant is one of the most common causes of human poisoning in the United States because the young leaves are used in making “poke salad”.

Carolina Buckthorn produces a small, less prolific summer fruit which is also reported to contain toxic quantities of a glycoside capable of producing serious gastroenteric irritation.