Dutchman's Breeches, Bloodroot, Trillium, Blue Cohoch, May Apple, Grape Hyacinth, and so many more!3/29/2016 I keep telling myself, 'I'm only going to hike one trail today', and every day, three hours later, I end up on the other side of the park. I will say though, I am very grateful to have the time right now to be able to get lost in nature for hours on end. We have new blooms to observe! Although it's not technically a wildflower, it's good to be able to identify, the stinging nettle is waking up from its winter slumber, and without the jewelweed plant out to counteract the sting, it's best to avoid this plant at all cost! The Dutchman's Breeches are beginning their peak bloom with their large spurs (pant legs) and yellow (waistbands) you can't miss them! Bloodroot blooms are popping up everywhere, as they crack open to greet the sun, they resemble an egg, stark white outside, deep yellow/orange inside. Still no blooming trillium, but the whole hilltop is covered with tri-leaved budding plants ready to burst open at a moment's notice. In the span of three weeks the view of the hill-trail-valley has burst awake with color. The main plant on the hillside has been identified as Ramps (variant of the Wild Leek/Wild Onion) walking down the hill on a warm sunny day you can catch a whiff of a spicy onion-y dish! Mr. Red Velvet Mite has been spotted again cleaning up the leaf detritus letting more light get to the young budding plants. Thanks creepy bright spidery looking mite! In the heart of the valley you can spot (at least for a few more days in this form) the Giant Blue Cohosh (dark purple with the star flower) aka Squaw Root. On the other trails, more bloodroot can be found budded and getting ready to bloom. The grape hyacinth are in full bloom, and the Mayapple are bursting out of the ground! Beyond the details, a wider view of the area shows a broad diverse area where steams lead through wooded deciduous forest to a meadow which leads back to a coniferous forest. We're lucky to have a place so broad and diverse to view flowers, wander about, and get lost for a few hours. Happy Hiking!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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
December 2020
|