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« March 2007 | Main | January 2008 » April 25, 2007Two-leaved mitrewort
Mitella diphylla This lovely plant is blooming locally now. Mitella diphylla is a member of the plant family Saxifragaceae, which also includes some common ornamental species such as coral bells. M. diphylla doesn't look like much from afar, but its small flowers are worthy of close inspection. The petals are highly divided (fimbriate) and make for a striking (if miniature) spectacle.
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit is a delightful late spring flowering plant that is beginning to emerge locally. Its many tiny flowers are borne on a stubby inflorescence called a spadix and are surrounded by a modified leaf called a spathe. "Jack" is the spadix, and the "pulpit" is the spathe. Individual plants produce either male or female flowers in any given year, but the sex switches depending on resource availability. Younger plants with fewer energy reserves tend to produce male flowers, but after several years they will produce female flowers. Usually a plant that has recently fruited (i.e., was female) will revert to maleness again for a few years while recovering from the energy-intensive project of making seeds. Look out for the fruits later in the season--the bright red berries are quite beautiful...if the deer don't get to the plants first. Unfortunately, this is one of their favorite snacks. April 16, 2007May apple
Podophyllum peltatum May apple is a common sight in local woodlands at this time of year. Individuals may produce either a single leaf or two leaves. In the latter case, a flower will be produced at the fork between the leaves (see photo). The leaves are folded like an umbrella as the plants emerge from their winter slumber and are a sure sign of spring's arrival. This species produces a rather tasty edible fruit (though the squirrels frequently get to the fruits before they're ripe enough to be appetizing to humans!) May apple is of great economic importance--a compound produced by the roots of species in the genus (podophyllotoxin) is the precursor for etoposide, a medicinal compound used to fight testicular cancer and certain types of lung cancer.
Blue cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides Blue cohosh is one of our more unusual spring ephemerals--the emerging plant's abundant blue-tinged wax gives it a ghostly appearance as it makes its way out of the ground. This species is well known for its toxic properties, so beware! Blue cohosh is a member of the plant family Berberidaceae, which also includes Berberis spp. (barberry--common cultivated, and sometimes invasive, shrubs), Nandina (heavenly bamboo, another ornamental shrub), and mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). April 03, 2007Wild ginger
Asarum canadense Wild ginger, not to be confused with the ginger whose rhizome is used in cooking (Zingiber officinale), is one of our more subtle spring ephemerals. The flowers in this species are produced close to the ground, so you may have to push aside the heart-shaped leaves to find them. There are some healthy clumps of this species in Petty's Patch, and they are well worth a visit.
The flowers of Asarum canadense are this brownish-maroon color for a very good reason: the major pollinators of this species are flies. Flies, as you may well know, are often attracted to decaying flesh, as this provides a perfect breeding ground for their eggs. Many plant species, including wild ginger, take advantage of the flies' routine by producing flesh-colored flowers (and some even emit a scent reminiscent of rotting meat) to lure in the unsuspecting insects, who then may transport pollen to other flowers. Redbud
Cercis canadensis Redbud is one of our most beautiful native spring-flowering trees. This member of the legume family (Fabaceae; Leguminosae) produces an abundance of purple-pink flowers before its heart-shaped leaves expand. I'm told the flowers can be sprinkled on salads--it sounds lovely, but I'm not sure how it will taste! Just like all members of this family, the flowers will later turn into legumes (better known as pods), a distinctive fruit type not found in other plant groups. Watch for these as the season progresses. Virginia bluebells
Mertensia virginica Virginia bluebells (not to be confused with Texas, Scottish, English, Australian, or South African bluebells, all of which are completely different and unrelated species--this is why common names are virtually useless!) are blooming in local woodland areas now. Their blue flowers and pink buds make a striking combination. Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot is a delightful spring ephemeral blooming locally. This member of the poppy family produces a striking red latex in its stems in leaves, hence the common name "bloodroot". This species produces some toxic alkaloids that have been used medicinally as emetics. |
