Even though it was early in the year, there were several plants in bloom. I was particularly excited to see Leatherwood (Dirca Palustris), which I had never seen before, in bloom. It get its name from its extremely flexible branches, which you can practically tie in a knot. Native Americans used to tear the branches into fibrous strips that they would use for bowstrings, baskets, and thongs (the website I looked at didn't say what kind of thongs...). The flowers weren't super showy but then had a nice lemon yellow color to them.
The refuge also has lots of another yellow bloomer, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), whose yellow flower buds are just starting to open. Spicebush are hosts for the Spicebush Swallowtail and the Promethea Silkmoth.
Below the observation deck at the top of the refuge we came across a patch of Puttyroot and Cranefly orchid. I've yet to see either in bloom but the Puttyroot has such handsome leaves, that's reason enough to search them out.
A bit further down the hill we uncovered a small clump of Round-leaved Hepatica (Hepatica americana, a.k.a. Hepatica nobilis, a.k.a. Anemone americana). It had a few little pale blue flowers open. With a day or two of sunshine it should look pretty nice.
Just below the Hepatica were several clumps of the 2009 wildflower of the year, Skunk Cabbage. I tore a piece of one of the emerging leaves and sure enough, skunk smell.
Further up from the Skunk Cabbage was a large hillside full of bloodroot flowers.
A few things we saw got me looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Bluebell and Columbine leaves were up and Red Buckeye, Redbud, Golden Ragwort all had flowerbuds just waiting to burst open.
You can see all the pictures from the walk here.
5 comments:
Looks like there were some good finds even though the weather was so lousy. I am still chilled and I was inside at the Hort. Extravaganza all day.
It sounds like everybody had rainy or cold weather this weekend. This reminds me that I should have moved my spicebush this year. It isn't thriving in its present location. Interesting plants!
Is the refuge open to the public? If not what how does someone get to see it?
The refuge is open to the public. There's a map on the my spring plant walks posting. There's a nearby parking lot where you can park on weekends.
In southern New Hampshire, the Leatherwood still looks dormant, today, the 19th. There are no buds bursting on Redbud or sprouts from Skunk Cabbage.
Leatherwood is so rare in 40 years of working in the woods, I have only found 6 shrubs. - Marty Michener
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