The Greenway woodland floor is winter brown until the butterweed blooms burst forth in early spring and paint the forest yellow.

Although native, this winter annual or biennial is invasive and as evident in the photos below, spreads aggressively. Each plant is capable of producing hundreds of seeds that are dispersed by the wind. It favors damp, open fields and is therefore a threat to farmers because it is toxic to grazing animals. Deer know to avoid it. However, native pollinators welcome these early daisy-like blooms that provide an abundant food source.

Fun fact: The stems of the butterweed are hollow.

Turning to seed:

A favorite from last year:

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