Dirca palustris (leatherwood)

Leatherwood has been blooming for the past week or so in local forests.  Dirca palustris is a small woodland shrub and is relatively uncommon in Indiana, though it is quite frequent in neighboring Parke County, where there is a creek named after it.  One of the interesting things about this plant is that its bark can be used to make a rope, and the young shoots can be woven into baskets.  If you encounter one of these plants, try breaking off a bit of stem.  It's really hard to get a clean break--you're likely to end up with a long string of bark.