Wild flower - Blue Cohosh

Just a stab in the dark, but it looks like a version of a nightshade?

Don't think so Nariz... though I've no idea what it actually is!

I think it is one of the cranesbills. Geranium maculata is a common name for a lot of cranesbills. If you send a photograph to one of the university or Government sites which deal with wild flowers they may be able to be more specific.

The shape of the leaves doesn't look right for a cranesbill. Is it flowering Lori, or is that glimpse of yellow from buds? The way the leaves are held reminds me of emergent peony leaves. Are there leaves that have unfolded more now?

Your right Beattie they do look like emerging peony leaves... I've been wracking my brains (what is left of them) trying to think what they reminded me of!

This is an intriguing plant. Below is the link and what I copied from Chiltern seeds site.

http://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item.php?id=627R
Geranium pratense Purple Haze'
Descended from just a single dark-leaved seedling that appeared in a stand of G.pratense a few years ago in America, this is a strain of hardy Geranium that is much sought after, coveted even. It is, of course, grown mainly for its remarkably coloured foliage, unlike just about anything else in the genus, which can vary from browny-bronzes, through purples to dark beetroots. The flowers, not to be ignored, are usually the blue of the species but worthwhile variations can occur. 2-4 ft.

Below is a link to T&M site which shows a photograph of the plant showing bronze foliage
http://www.tmseeds.com/product/Perennial-Geraniums-pratense-Purple-Haze/Sun_Perennial_Seeds

Your first link goes to "page not found" Scotgran. I've had a look at the G. pratense you suggest, but I don't think it's a match.

Looking again at the first photo, I think there are a couple of open flowers in the middle, in a cluster with some buds. They're a dark brownish colour with yellow centres (? stamens with a pistil sticking out in the middle). There are six narrow, slightly reflexed petals with a twist at the bottom, not like a geranium.

Thank you, Everyone!! You're right about the flower being a strange thing, Beattie...when I saw it I thought nightshade...but the leaves are not right...Will have to look at the site you suggested Scotsgran! thankyou. I think the flowers are actually red, Beattie. will march out and take another picture..maybe the leaves have unfolded a little. The suggestion of the University or Gov't site is a good one. I've checked a number of sites that have photos and a data base of wild flowers in the eastern part on Ontario...but no one seems to have this plant in their data base. just took two new pictures will try to post them.

Checked out the pic of Purple Haze, Scotsgran. I'm sure that it is not a crane's bill.... the flowers are much too large and the blossom time for cranesbill is summer. This plant is blooming now..the foliage remains withered looking. I thought that perhaps it was because of the cold spring weather...but now I'm not so sure. the flower is pink/red...with short stamen and bright yellow anthers and the leaves seem to close up with evening. They look ragged and dead...it's the weirdest plant I've ever come across!

Beattie, i am sorry the link given for Chiltern seeds did not work for you. You can also get it by typing Chiltern Seeds in to your browser and use the A-Z to look at geraniums. Scroll down to Purple Haze. I did copy above the relevant part from their site which describes the varying colours of the foliage. Unfortuneately they do not show a photograph of it. That is why I also included the link for T&M.

I hope you find out what it is Lori because you have whetted our appetite and we will all appreciate knowing the answer.

That's a really useful pic of the flower you've posted now, Lori. I don't have a clue what it is, am following with interest......

Proves it isn't a peony of any sort.

Thanks folks! Still looking. I looked at where it's growing and I think it is a rhizome of some type as it seems to grow in central large clump with radiating sister plants...strange. I hope it's not something that is seriously poisonous!

Since asking this question the weather has warmed a little and the leaves are no longer withered looking...have added a more recent pic of the leaves...still can't place it!

It's a fascinating plant Lori. I'm sorry I still have no idea what it is. Are there any local experts you could ask?

I'm new in my area, Beattie. Just moved. Lots of friendly neighbours...will have to see if any of the yoga crowd are into wildflowers!! there are two sites about Ontario wildflowers but I couldn't find an image that looked anything like this plant. Will try the Ontario gov. site. hopefully there will be a link or perhaps the answer there!

Just wanted to thank my friends. I finally found a site on the internet that has Eastern Ontario wildflowers...it's Cohosh.

Follow this link to find out about the blue and what a blue. Well done for tracking down the name. Thank you for keeping us updated but don't put the camera away yet. I want to see the fruit in the autumn please. Ifyou google Blue cohosh there are photos of it on Goy from American and Himalayan members. . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulophyllum_thalictroides

Wow! the flower's not all that interesting, but what intensely blue berries! :-D You've done a great job tracking it down Lori.

Beattie and Scotsgran...thanks! have some pics to add of the berries...as soon as I get a chance...OH is waiting and I have to scoot!

just added a pic of the caulophyllum thalictroides berries...they haven't ripened yet, and as you can see the plant is growing in very deep shade.

Wow! That's a great photo Lori! I love the way the berries are spotlit against the darker leaves and background. Nice one! :-)

This has been a very interesting look at a plant we never see in UK Lori.

Thank you very much for your interest and your investigations, Scotsgran and Beattie. I had read about the Black Cohosh usage in my Herbal...but never actually seen the plant growing. BTW...I read on the wiki page (which doesn't necessarily mean it's correct) that the black cohosh is a totally different species...I'm going back to wiki to take a look at pictures of the black. I'm thinking that perhaps it's growing there as well. I noticed another plant growing near the blue that has a similar leaf structure but is a solid green with berries forming as well but they are more cylindrical than round. (could be just he stage of development) and I have a pic of it on my camera but it was also in deep shade. The blue just happened to be in a shaft of light...I just got lucky! Also due to the squirrels and chipmunks and grouse etc. berries are nutritious and desirable and they don't last long! so I'm hoping I can manage to get a picture of the ripe blue cohosh berries and maybe even harvest some seed!

Apparently the blue cohosh is also used in medicine. It is a fascinating subject to research.

Yes, it's amazing how many medicines (drugs) are made from plant sources and how useful even the common herbs are in naturopathic medicine and folk remedies. The black cohosh is used to treat menopausal hot flashes!