Family Berberidaceae
Mayapple; Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) - has a delicately fragrant scent emanating from the solitary white flowers found hanging under one or two large leaves. The Mayapple is a gregarious perennial herb which grows up to a height of 1 ½ or 2 ft. The fruit is a yellowish to reddish berry about 3 in. long. Pulp from this fruit has a peculiar flavor which can be eaten raw in small amounts or processed into marmalade. The seeds and vegetative parts are poisonous, however Native Americans and early settlers used parts of it medicinally.

Family Campanulaceae
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) - Like the bird that this flower is named for, its brilliant red color can be seen from a great distance. It can grow from 2 to 5 ft tall and thrives in moist areas such as stream banks and cypress swamps. Although it has been used medicinally for some time, overdoses can cause adverse symptoms or death.

Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata) - Purple flowers rest in the axis of the stem and leaves, which clasp tightly to the stem. It grows tall in the summer, with few branches off of its main stem.

Family Fabaceae Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata, formerly Cassia fasciculata) - A small annual legume with fern-like compound leaves. The summer flowers bloom in the morning and wilt in the afternoon. The lower petals on each of the yellow flowers are larger than the top petals. As a legume, it makes small bean pods. The Partridge Pea grows in open, disturbed areas. The plants feed caterpillars of sulfur butterflies. Cherokees may have made tea from its roots for treating fatigue, hence an alternate name "sleeping plant."

White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) A very common clover with 3 round leaflets per leaf and 1-inch, round, white to pinkish flowerheads. Blooming peaks in April to May, but sporadically blooms almost all year. It is introduced from Europe, where flower tea was historically used to treat rheumatism and gout. Contains genistene, an estrogenic isoflavone useful as an antioxidant. Mice, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and other mammals eat the seeds and leaves, and bees enjoy the nectar and pollen.

Bladderpod (Glottidium vesicarium) An annual that grows up to 12 feet. Leaves are divided into about 24 opposite oval-shaped leaflets. Small pinkish-yellow flowers bloom in summer. Seeds from the pods are very poisonous; consuming a small amount can cause death. Cows sometimes eat the seeds and die. Found sometimes along the levee.

Coffee Weed (Senna obtusifolia, previously Cassia obtusifolia) 2 to 3 pairs of leaflets that are broader near the end than near the base. Grows up to 5 feet tall. Yellow flowers bloom from June until frost and are replaced by very slender, curved, 9-inch pods. Poisonous if consumed in large quantities. Can host the tobacco etch virus. Nevertheless, it has been used both for food and medicine. Nomadic tribal people in North Africa make a paste out of the leaves and ferment it as a source of protein. Tea made from the seeds is used to treat fatigue, stomachaches, and headaches, probably because of caffeine content. Found in the Acadiana Nature Park along the levee.(Lespedeza sp.)

Beggar's Ticks (Desmodium glabellum) Small purple flowers make triangle-shaped seeds that disperse by sticking to passing people or animals. Leaflets of three.

Persian Clover (Trifolium resupinatum) 3 Leaflets are longer than they are wide. Flowers are round and pink. Became abundant in Louisiana after the 1927 flood. Like the other species in the Bean Family, it improves soil by adding nitrogen, and is a good wildlife forage because its leaves are rich in protein.

Family Geraniaceae

(Geranium sp.) Small orange flower.