I’m a bit excited with this wildflower because it is the first time I’ve found it. I have seen the narrow, lance leafed Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) in the area but not the broad leaf variety before today.

Claytonia caroliniana

A native woodland wildflower found in early spring. It’s range covers southern Canada and extends south through the Appalachian Mountains and westward to Minnesota. The plant grows from a small corm, the size anywhere between 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch. The corms are edible and are supposed to have a chestnut like flavor. Personally I think it’s a waste and a shame to dig up enough to eat. Supposedly they do grow in large patches but I’ve only seen an itty bitty patch that wouldn’t produce a handful of corms.

The smallest flowers are so often the prettiest. That’s the case with this 1/2 to 3/4 inch flower. I love how the petals are veined with a touch of yellow added to the flower’s center. The pink anthers just add to the charm.

Also found today – Round Lobed Hepatica blooming, Trillium in bud, Leeks almost ready to pick and a few other ‘shoots’ just emerging that will require a closer look later. I hate to think I can’t keep up but I want to ‘document’ the wildflowers as I find them. Guess I should quit my day job or quit hiking in the woods after work. I know my wife would cut me off at the knees given the choice but the dog is on my side since our hikes are the highlight of her day. I hate to compromise but I could manage more than one post per day and save my lower appendages.

• Wildflowers
• Comments(7)

7 Responses

1. Sheila Says:
   April 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

   Sweet flower!

   Sheila,
   Yea, it is a sweet little ting.

2. cindee Says:
   April 18th, 2009 at 1:15 am

   Awesome! Don’t give up your walks with the doggy(-: That is the best time to find cool things! I find stuff everyday when Jack and I walk(-:

   cindee,
   I can’t say no to Pookey. She gets more excited than I when I pick up my camera case. I’m not sure I should say walks – it’s more like playing red light – green light in slow motion. I constantly stop to look and listen so it might take a couple of hours to cover a mile.

3. rainfield Says:
   April 18th, 2009 at 4:40 am

   Why not negotiate with your wife just to cut off your hair one per day and this can last very much longer for us to enjoy more pictures and more flowers and more birds and more ……

   rainfield,
   No one touches my ponytail. I have a disreputable image to maintain.

4. jodi (bloomingwriter) Says:
   April 18th, 2009 at 9:44 am

   Okay, John, this isn’t fair. How did you sail so far ahead of me in the past couple of weeks? Oh, I know…it’s a bit warmer there than here. Our snow IS all gone, but we need a few more heat units.
   I haven’t been out to inspect the garden since getting home last night, but now that my coffee is finished, I’m off to do just that. I expect to see the hepatica budded, but not yet blooming.
   So glad to see your feed in Blotanical. I know you’ll have a blast. Blooming looneytics are among my favourite peeps!

   jodi,
   Things only started to pop this week. But yea I live in a slightly warmer micro climate down in the St. Lawrence River valley. I dove 20 miles south to check a garden project yesterday morning and the ground in the shade still had enough frost to be frozen on top. Meanwhile my yard is in a cold wet spot and things are slowly starting to emerge. It’s the wild things keeping me happy right now.

   We’ll see about Blotanical. Looks like I’ll have to wait till the ground freezes again before I really have the time to have a blast there. I try to keep a presence and visit others through there instead of my bookmarks now. Each stop I also visit someone new. I’ve already added a couple to my ‘must read’ list.

5. Alice Joyce Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

   Good Morning!
   There’s a bit of a problem downloading your blog. The top area does not display properly.
   Is anyone else having this problem, or mentioned it? Just messaged you on Blotanical, too.
   Cheers! Alice

   http://BayAreaTendrils.blogspsot.com

   Alice,
   Thanks for the heads up.
   You’re only the second to mention a problem. The first was someone using Safari.

   Not likely anyone with a problem will make it this far but please let me know if there are display problems.

6. Monica Says:
   April 19th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

   I just love the spring beauties!

   Monica,
   I’m thinking of bringing some home for spring break.

7. Jennifer Ingram Says:
   April 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am

   The furry ones are great – we have a cat with an attitude too – his name is Thomas. The photos of the flowers are species I have never seen and just lovely! I live in Western MD and I’m always trying to increase my gardens but I am humbled by what others have done – I’m a wimp!

   Jennifer,
   Cheers Thomas! – raises bottle of tuna juice kept for special occasions.

   I’m on a wildflower kick until the perennials get going. Not surprising you haven’t seen them unless you go out and hunt them down.

   Humble Schumble, compared to the ungardeners out there you’d be a giant among those outstanding in the yard.

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