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Tadpoles 2021

7/28/2021

Okay, so, for the past few weeks I've been watching an old water trough that's full of tadpoles.
Fun, I thought, I wonder what kind of frog, or maybe toad, these will grow into. I mean, every elementary kid knows tadpoles swim, then grow legs, lose their tails, and hop out into the world.
Easy.
But the more I watch, the more questions I have.
Let's start at the beginning.

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A Peaceful Moment at the Bog

7/10/2021

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Orange Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva)

7/4/2021

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Blooms: Summer months, flower blooms last only one day - namesake. Not a true lily but has similarly shaped flowers.

Originally from Asia, this plant has escaped cultivation and become a nuisance across the US creating hardy patches through wandering tuberous root systems.

All parts of this plant are edible: Leaves and shoots can be eaten when very young, raw or cooked (they become too fibrous when aged), flowers and young tubers can also be eaten raw or cooked, flowers may be dried and used as a thickener in soup.

In Louis Bromfield’s book Pleasant Valley, he talks about Johnny Appleseed’s time in the area; one of the stories tells about anytime Johnny would call on a neighbor he’d bring the wife a bouquet of these orange flowers, the seeds falling from his bag wherever he roamed, and as Johnny wandered (and he saw a good many states) the flowers followed him.
Highly unlikely there’s much truth to the story but it’s a good tale nonetheless.

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Jewelweed, nature's remedy in your back yard.

7/3/2021

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Many people are familiar with this plant, it can be found in forests, parks, yards, cities; this hearty little plant hides in it a great secret.

But first some facts about it...
It's scientific name is "Impatiens capensis" but it also goes by "touch-me not" due to its seed pods.
In the late summer it grows seed pods that, when disturbed, burst open sending seeds flying. A fun stop on a walk with little ones, and it insures more jewelweed plants in the future!

Now what you might not know...
Jewelweed has many safe and natural uses when you find yourself in the woods.

Have you stumbled through stinging nettles? Then you know how painful and uncomfortable that can be. A solution?
Break open a juicy jewelweed stem off the plant and down the center of the stem and rub the juicy center on the sting. You will find the pain soon dissipates.
It also works to soothe the itch of poison ivy and poison oak as well as insect bites.

Next time you're out, take a second look at these helpful plants and 'pop' a seed pod or two!

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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

7/2/2021

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Yarrow is considered to be a native species, although varieties have been introduced and hybridized, found in sunny to partially sunny open areas in dry soil. Our native species consists mainly of tiny white flowers but some pale pink varieties occur in the wild.
The gentle fern-like leaves, and delicate flowers, and unique scent have made this a favorite in flower arrangements. Varieties of yarrow in bright, bold, and pastel colors can be found in domesticated gardens.
Medicinally this is an important herb, the leaves providing relief from burns and rashes when crushed and made into a poultice. Dried leaves were brewed as a tea to soothe colds, fever, and headache. A beer brewed with yarrow has been popular in Europe since the Middle Ages. The Chinese considered the yarrow plant to be good luck.

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Tadpoles 2021

A Peaceful Moment at the Bog

Orange Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Jewelweed, nature's remedy in your back yard.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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Tadpoles 2021

A Peaceful Moment at the Bog

Orange Day Lily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Jewelweed, nature's remedy in your back yard.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

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