Pencilflower

Description:

There are two equally plausible explanations for this southeastern native's common name. The first is the presence of a hollow calyx tube which surrounds the pistil, much like the wood surrounding the lead in a pencil. The other is that the bright orange-yellow color is similar to color of the paint used on a standard No. 2 school pencil. Otherwise, this plant is somewhat inconspicuous. It serves as larval host to Barred Yellow (Eurema daira) butterflies.

Habitat:

It is native to the Southeastern United States where it is widespread in open areas of native vegetation. USA: AL , AR , AZ , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV

Notes:

Spotted near the Lake Allatoona Visitor's Center, Cartersville, GA