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Saw these grass flowers in the prairies of Adams county while hiking. They looked like three tiered clover flowers but no clover leaves at all. I lo...
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What is this? #798867
Asked June 30, 2022, 5:28 PM EDT
Saw these grass flowers in the prairies of Adams county while hiking. They looked like three tiered clover flowers but no clover leaves at all. I looked at a few online sources and couldn't find it. Thank you.
Adams County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Kathy
Thank you for your question and pictures. I also have looked high and low at every wildflower/prairie site I could find.
Your second pic shows more foliage and if I'm not mistaken, evidence of squarish stem (I think I see ridges, which would put it in the mint family) as well as what appears to be old petals or calyxes on the "flower" part.
The closest thing I could find (and by no means am I sure) is some type of wild monarda or bee balm that has lost all its petals. Possibly monarda punctata (spotted bee balm) in the seed stage.
Plant identification is really complicated by stages of life as well as the shear number of plants in the plant world.
Here is a link you can browse.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda-punctata/
If you really feel like you would like to explore this further, you may resubmit your pictures and request a naturalist or wildflower specialist who may be able to give you a positive identification. I am giving you my best guess.
Thank you so much for using the Ask a Master Gardener Helpline!
I really found your pictures so interesting and would love to hear back from you to either confirm or correct my findings.
Happy 4th!
Thank you for your question and pictures. I also have looked high and low at every wildflower/prairie site I could find.
Your second pic shows more foliage and if I'm not mistaken, evidence of squarish stem (I think I see ridges, which would put it in the mint family) as well as what appears to be old petals or calyxes on the "flower" part.
The closest thing I could find (and by no means am I sure) is some type of wild monarda or bee balm that has lost all its petals. Possibly monarda punctata (spotted bee balm) in the seed stage.
Plant identification is really complicated by stages of life as well as the shear number of plants in the plant world.
Here is a link you can browse.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda-punctata/
If you really feel like you would like to explore this further, you may resubmit your pictures and request a naturalist or wildflower specialist who may be able to give you a positive identification. I am giving you my best guess.
Thank you so much for using the Ask a Master Gardener Helpline!
I really found your pictures so interesting and would love to hear back from you to either confirm or correct my findings.
Happy 4th!
What a great response. I think your identification was correct after looking at some other pics my husband took on his phone. He found one with a few blossoms still on it. There was lots of butterfly weed and bee balm around as well.
Thanks so much for your help!
Yay!!!! Thanks so much for the confirmation and affirmation
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
best wishes!
I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
best wishes!
No thank you! This is the third time I have used the extension service. I think the most fun part of hiking is seeing new plants. It's so easy to take a pic with my phone and then try to determine what it is. When I am stumped, I email the extension. I appreciate the service so much!
I’m so glad! Just keep those questions and pictures coming
Such a pleasure to serve in this way.
Such a pleasure to serve in this way.
