Monthly Archives: May 2015

A Sampler of Spring Woodland Wildflowers – Part 3

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Today, I returned to 100 Acre Wood in the Town of Malta to continue my wildflower inventory.  Despite the lack of any significant rainfall in weeks, the parade of spring woodland wildflowers continues.

I hope you enjoy the continuation of this sampler of what is in bloom this week in a nearby woodland; take a look.

Pink Lady's Slipper

Pink Lady’s Slipper

Mayapple

Mayapple

Dog Violet

Dog Violet

False Solomon's Seal

False Solomon’s Seal

Canada Mayflower

Canada Mayflower

Common Cinquefoil

Common Cinquefoil

Dwarf Cinquefoil

Dwarf Cinquefoil

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Birdsfoot Trefoil – truthfully, this plant was growing along a portion of the trail near Luther Forest Boulevard; it was not “in the woods.”

Tower-mustard

Tower-mustard – – truthfully, this plant was growing along a portion of the trail near Luther Forest Boulevard; it was not “in the woods.”

Hairy Solomon's Seal (2 blooms on left, others unopened flowerbuds)

Hairy Solomon’s Seal (2 blooms on left; others are unopened flowerbuds)

Bellwort

Bellwort

Hispid Buttercup

Hispid Buttercup

Other species also in bloom today included:

  • Starflower
  • Ovate-leaved Violet
  • Sessile-leaved Bellwort
  • Early Low Blueberry
  • Highbush Blueberry
  • Small-flowered Crowfoot
  • Dwarf Ginseng
  • Marsh Blue Violet
  • Cleavers
  • Chokecherry
  • Common Buckthorn
  • Pennsylvania Bitter Cress
  • Rue Anemone
  • Fringed Polygala
  • Wild Strawberry
  • Wood Strawberry
  • Mouse-ear Chickweed
  • Garlic Mustard

For a look at what some of these additional species look like, view the early spring collection of wildflowers elsewhere on my blog.

Happy trails!

2015 Wildflower of the Year

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The New York Flora Association (NYFA) has announced that Bloodroot is its 2015 Wildflower of the Year.  Please be sure to read all about it on their web site – lots of great information and photos can be found there.

Have you ever seen this beautiful bloom in its natural environment?  It typically begins to bloom in mid-April.

Bloodroot

Bloodroot

I am currently conducting a wildflower inventory along most of the Zim Smith Trail and, thankfully, have observed Bloodroot along nearly every trail segment, including some sizeable patches.

If you know of other locations where this plant grows, please send locality information to [email protected].

Happy trails!

A Sampler of Spring Woodland Wildflowers – Part 2

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On this sunny and hot Saturday just before Mother’s Day, I returned to 100 Acre Wood in the Town of Malta to continue my wildflower inventory.  I was curious to see what changed since last Saturday given this past week’s sunshine and hot temperatures.  Regardless of what the calendar says, it feels like summer – without the humidity.  You know, a “dry heat.”

Well, the parade of spring woodland wildflowers has begun!

I hope you enjoy this sampler of what is in bloom this week in a nearby woodland; take a look.

Fringed Polygala

Fringed Polygala

Starflower

Starflower

Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone

Selkirk's Violet (AKA Great-spurred Violet)

Selkirk’s Violet (AKA Great-spurred Violet)

Wake Robin (purple form)

Wake Robin (purple form)

I did not observe either of the other two forms of this species:  white (scentless) bloom or the yellow-green bloom.

Wood Strawberry

Wood Strawberry

PLEASE NOTE:  The species shown above has its bloom located above the leaves.  Compare with the next photo, which is a species whose bloom is located below its leaves.

Wild Strawberry

Wild Strawberry

Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot

PLEASE NOTE:  The species shown above is nearly done blooming.  It is often mistaken for the species shown below, which is just now beginning to bloom and will bloom all summer long.  Note the brownish scales on the flower stem above, while the next species has none.  However, both will have a fluffy seed head when each is done blooming.

Common Dandelion

Common Dandelion

Marsh Blue Violet

Marsh Blue Violet

Foamflower

Foamflower

PLEASE NOTE:  The species shown above is sometimes mistaken for the one in the next photo.  However, take a close look at the flowers in each photo; they are distinctly different.  In addition, the species shown above has a single leaf whereas the next one has what appears to be paired leaves along the stem.  However, it is not uncommon to find both species in the same habitat.

Miterwort

Miterwort

Ovate-leaved Violet

Ovate-leaved Violet

Other species also in bloom today included:

  • Pin Cherry
  • Sassafras
  • Sessile-leaved Bellwort
  • Sweet White Violet
  • Early Low Blueberry
  • Small-flowered Crowfoot
  • Dwarf Ginseng
  • Dwarf Cinquefoil
  • Japanese Barberry
  • Rue Anemone

For a look at what some of these additional species look like, view the early spring collection of wildflowers elsewhere on my blog.

Happy trails!

A Sampler of Spring Woodland Wildflowers

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Spring continues to be reluctant in displaying a number of blooming wildflowers or much greenery thus far.  Nevertheless, you can find some blooms if you look closely…very closely!  A slow pace also helps.

I continued my inventory of 100 Acre Wood in the Town of Malta on this wonderfully mild and gloriously sunny Saturday.

Some wildflowers, such as hazelnut and skunk cabbage, are done blooming.  A couple of others, like red maple and leatherwood, are nearly finished blooming.

Red Maple

Red Maple

Still others will soon be reaching the peak of their blooming period, such as hepatica and trout lily.

Trout Lily

Trout Lily

Wake robin will soon be in full bloom.

And then there are yet other wildflowers that are just beginning to bloom, such as –

Northern White Violet

Northern White Violet

Sessile-leaved Bellwort

Sessile-leaved Bellwort

Dwarf Ginseng

Dwarf Ginseng

Lastly, some are in the bud stage and may begin blooming within a week or so, such as toothwort.

This coming week’s warm and sunny weather should be invitation enough for you to venture out to a woodland or meadow near you for a glimpse at the parade of blooming spring wildflowers near you.  Please accept that invitation and take a stroll.

Happy trails!