Clumps of these popped up in a park last week and I wondered what they were. They get part to full shade along a wooded path. Took photo in Lockhart state park, which is south of Austin, zone 8b. Thank you!

The flowers look like Actaea.
However the leaves are not a match.
Interesting.

Makes me also think of Cimicifuga (Achaea), but if the grassy foliage at the base is the same plant as the flowers, that might not be it.

It could be Lady's Tresses a type of orchid.

frostweed said:It could be Lady's Tresses a type of orchid.

Sorry but Spirathes spiralis....common name Lady's Tresses flowers are in a spiral up the stem and flowers are very different shape/structure from mystery multi stamen flowers.
See clear pic in link.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Well, it was just a guess, but thank you for the lovely pictures Spiranthes, those really show it wonderfully.

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone. I'm still not sure what this is--it resembles the black cohosh somewhat, but the leaves of my plant don''t seem to resemble the actaea examples I've seen. The base of my plant reminds me of rain lily leaves--almost succulent-like. Also, when I've looked at the places where these other plants are found, our area here isn't mentioned.

Again, thanks!

I think I may have found it White Milkwort, Polygala alba
https://www.wildflower.org/gal...

frostweed said:I think I may have found it White Milkwort, Polygala alba
https://www.wildflower.org/gal...

This one has been bugging me too.
Pics are really excellent and clear.
The mystery flowers do not have any obvious petals or sepals.
Each tiny flower cluster is just a bunch of filaments and stamen.
eg Actaea, Fothergilla. Neither sadly match.

Trouble is the structure/shape of flowers of Polygala alba do not match..sorry.With thanks to Matt Lavin wiki for image.



https://www.google.com/search?...

https://www.google.com/search?...

Well Shoot! I thought I had it. I can see the difference in the pictures you posted, but the ones from wildflower.org look a lot closer including the leaves. I remembered seeing the White milkwort on our walks through woods here in Texas. Oh well! I give up.

Thanks again for all the hard work! It is in such abundance on the trail that I thought for sure it was a common wildflower. I'll keep looking.

You might want to ask the people at the park, they might know.

Thank you--that's a good idea.

Makes me also think of Cimicifuga (Achaea), but if the grassy foliage at the base is the same plant as the flowers, that might not be it.

I have got it...at last.
Chamaelirium luteum.....common names including false unicorn root, devil's bit, blazing star, starwort, rattlesnake-root, squirrel tails.

Chamaelirium is a genus of flowering plants containing the single species Chamaelirium luteum.

Flowers can be male or female.
Pics above show stamens ..therefore are the male flower.

https://gobotany.nativeplanttr...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

https://www.missouribotanicalg...

Quote above..
"Chamaelirium luteum, commonly called fairy wand, is native to moist, acidic soils in shaded areas of meadows, woods and thickets in eastern North America. It is a dioecious plant with a short-rhizome that typically grows 2-3' (less frequently to 4') tall and features a basal rosette of foliage and a central flowering stalk. Male plants grow up to 2.5' tall, but female plants may grow as tall as 4'. Tiny flowers in spike-like terminal racemes appear in June. Flowers on the male plant grow in dense, arching, plume-like spikes (to 9" long). Flowers on the female plants are in smaller erect spikes. Female plants produce seed in 3-valved, ellipsoid capsules. The dark green basal leaves (to 8" long) are smooth and spoon-shaped, but the stem leaves are much shorter and narrower. This plant has a number of additional common names including false unicorn root, devil's bit, blazing star, starwort, rattlesnake-root, squirrel tails and helonias. Plants have become rare in many parts of the original geographic range, and should never be dug from the wild."

Pic below to show the female flower.

https://www.easttennesseewildf...

more pics.....
https://www.google.com/search?...

I am thrilled to learn more about this very cute plant.
Thank you christinereid54 for giving my brain a good work out.

The grassy-looking leaves I see in the photo are wrong for Chamaelirium luteum.

Well, that was truly a workout, congratulations on your find.

I don't think it's Chamaelirium either, but using that as a starting point I looked around and think it could be a Schoenocaulon (not sure which one).

Looks good to me. Good work, Janine.