 The yellow spathe sits inside the redish/purpleish spadix Beginning in late winter, the eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is first of our wildflowers to emerge from the cold snow covered ground. Through its rapid growth, its cellular respiration can melt the snow around it reaching up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit! The skunk cabbage gets its name from the smell emitted from the spathe (reddish brown thing generally after disruption or bruising. This smell is important as it attracts the flies that will then pollinate the spadix (round yellow ball that sits inside the spathe). By late spring, a tight roll of bright green leaves emerge from next to the spathe, slowly unraveling into huge green cabbage-like leaves that will blanket the wet and wooded area where it grows.  An early season grouping of skunk cabbage. The spadix here is a deep red/burgundy color with bright green/yellow speckling.  Later in the season, the spadix dies back and the leaves come out.
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As the snow starts falling from the sky, your first instinct may be to lock yourself inside with a warm cup of tea and put away your hiking boots until spring. Do not do this! (except maybe enjoy the tea, yum!) Hiking in the winter can be just as enjoyable as any other time as long as you are properly dressed and prepared for any and all the elements. Honestly, for many years I dreaded winter, I hated not being outside, I felt my body deteriorating due to lack of physical activity (sure I could go to the gym but ugh), the lack of natural light would stoke the flames of winter depression, but most of all I could not stand being cold. All of these problems I was able to fix in one easy step.... dressing properly for the outdoors! Once I made this one little change, winter was no longer a daunting task; being outside, getting my muscles moving, enjoying the sharp winter sun, all helped alleviate the seasonal depression. Before I knew it I was enjoying winter hiking just as much as summer. Winter posed a challenge to me, all the trails I could fly through in the warm months were once again challenging, I had to push myself physically and mentally through drifts of snow, up icy hills, down steep slopes. Tips for safely enjoying winter hiking.
 Today you may find yourself coming across some extra 'crunchy' spots along the trail. When you do, take a moment to look closer, you may have just come across a patch of Needle Ice!  Needle ice is a natural phenomenon which occurs when the temperature of the soil is above freezing and the surface temperature of the air is below freezing. The subterranean liquid water is brought to the surface via capillary action, where it freezes and contributes to a growing needle-like ice column.
While growing, they may lift or push away small soil particles as you can clearly see in the photo. On sloped surfaces, needle ice may be a factor contributing to soil creep. This is part of our Hike Wayne Series.  Barnes Preserve 3396 Sylvan Rd, Wooster, OH 44691 76 acres owned & operated by the Wayne County Park District. 1 mile of paved ADA accessible trail through mature forest, overlooking a woodland pond, and wanders through a meadow. A number of additional mowed and boardwalk paths cut through the woods and meadow. Open dawn to dusk (trails are not maintained in the winter months, hike at your own risk). Facilities: pavilion, grill, overlook, port-a-potty (April-November) Best use: walking, birding, nature observation. Special rules: - Take trash home with you (no trash pickup service at park). - All dogs must be leashed & cleaned up after. EXCITING NEWS: Recently the Park District was awarded two grants to develop the lower ponds and surrounding area. The general concept includes a fishing pond with bump-out natural pier while the surrounding land will be restored back into a quality wetland /stream. The project is slated for completion in early 2024 (though the timeline is always subject to change). Barnes in SpringBarnes in SummerBarnes in AutumnBarnes in Winter January: Named from the Roman god Janus, who is represented with two faces looking in opposite directions - as retrospective to the past and prospective to the future.
A new year, let it start slow, soon the cold, muted snow will come, then bit by bit will begin unfolding new traits, the rains come, a flower opens, the skunk emerges from its slumber. While it's easy to get caught up thinking about the future, don't forget to pause and enjoy this ever so brief moment of stillness. Let yourself stand out in the elements today, breathe in the cool stillness, only now, right now, on this day (whenever you're reading this) this breath is just for you and only you and will never be exactly like this, these scents, these sensations, ever again. How full yet fleeting a mindful moment can be. Wishing you all a wonderful 2024. |
AboutSince 2015 we have been exploring and sharing all the amazing things we’ve found in nature. AuthorEmily is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist who is most often found out in the woods. Archives
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