Members of South Wake Conservationists, Tara Moore, Director of Conservation Partnerships with NCWF and her guests joined together on a fine morning for kayak paddling on the Cape Fear River which flows in the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear, from which it gets it name. Shortly after launching our kayaks from the landing at Cape Fear River Adventures heading up the river, our first encounter of wildlife was the majestic flight of a Great Blue Heron. After paddling for about an hour up the river to the “rock garden” where the current became increasingly stronger we turned around and enjoyed the easy paddle back discovering more of the flora and fauna along the river. All in all, the outing was an enjoyable and relaxing morning to bond with others and nature.
South Wake Conservationists 
The plant in the article Paddling on the Cape Fear River is most likely one of the Cleome or Spider Flower. I would start there. The growth form, shape seed pod, leaflets at 5 palmate, location are in agreement.
Also Distribution Scattered through most of the state, but with some big gaps. This species may show up almost anywhere.
Native to South America; in N.A. Que. to WI and NE, south to FL and TX.
Abundance Rare to uncommon.
Habitat River sandbars and shores, roadbanks, disturbed soil, fallow fields, waste ground.
Phenology Flowering and fruiting June-November.
Identification Spider-flower is a striking plant and popular in cultivation. It grows 3-6 feet tall, the stems being glandular-hairy. The leaves are long-stalked, divided into 5 lanceolate to oblanceolate leaflets that taper to both ends. The flowers grow in a terminal, spikelike raceme, the 4 petals pink to rose to purple, with very long stamens sticking out. The fruits grow from long stalks that tend to curve downward, linear, 2-3 inches long — quite like some capsules of various Arabis species.
Taxonomic Comments Long known by the name Cleome hassleriana.
T
Bill W
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