
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 7, 1995                   TAG: 9505090043
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV                    PAGE: DNRV-61   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DIVERSITY'S NOT JUST A HUMAN INVENTION

Searching for wildflowers in the New River Valley is as easy as counting to three. The area is rich in diversity and even boasts a few rare and endangered species, like the Peters Mountain mallow found in Giles County.

One of the best places to look for wildflowers is along the New River which winds through the area from Pulaski to Glen Lyn. Whether by boat or walking along the shoreline, the flowers here will catch your eye.

On a recent visit to the New River between McCoy Falls and Eggleston, countless spring flowers were just beginning to peak. Here are just a few of them.

Virginia bluebells stand out along the shores of the river with pale, blue, tube-shaped flowers hanging in clusters from large-leafed stalks. These delicate flowers, attracted to moist ground and lots of sun, are a treat when found growing alongside the banks.

Wild blue phlox will get your attention along Virginia 625 near McCoy Falls. The slightly fragrant flowers have five attached petals perched atop spindly stalks, unlike the smaller Moss Phlox which serve as colorful spring ground cover.

Periwinkle and Common blue violet add even more color to the riverbanks with their tiny blue and violet flowers growing close to the ground. You'll recognize Periwinkle for its long, shiny dark-green leaves. And don't be surprised to see white or yellow violets, too. All three make colorful and tasty additions to salads.

Spring beauties make a spectacular show when found in large low-growing patches. The small, white and pink striped flowers bloom from March to mid-May. Like violets, Spring Beauties are a sweet edible plant.

Yellow wildflowers are a common site near this section of the river, especially wild mustard growing in nearby fields. Look for the plants along Whitethorne and McCoy roads, as well as right by the river. Wild mustard is edible, as is it's counterpart, garlic mustard, which can also be found by the river. In fact, garlic mustard, with it's small white clusters of flowers, is becoming a pest plant to many gardeners, who continually fight it back to make room for more appealing flowers.

While you won't find giant sunflowers growing along the riverbank, you may happen upon golden ragwort, a member of the Sunflower family. These small, daisy-like flowers are one of the first of the Sunflower family to bloom in early spring and they thrive in the moist conditions found on the New River.

Many other colorful and unique flowers adorn the New River if you take the time to search them out - columbine, purple trillium, Solomon's seal and the spotted yellow touch-me-not are just a few.

So grab a wildflower field guide, pack a lunch and take an afternoon drive to the river. You'll see there's lots to discover!

by CNB