Dicentra canadensis

is starting to bloom in the woods around Canton, NY. This little native wildflower is related to the larger garden varieties of Bleeding Hearts.

(Due to some bug not allowing comments – I have deleted and re-posted this)

The flowers resemble Decentra spectabillis ‘Alba’ with its white blooms but the similarity ends there. It differs being much smaller, having very finely cut leaves and an unusual root. The leaves though are almost impossible to tell apart from Dutchman’s Breeches.

Squirrel Corn gets its name from the root ‘kernels’ that resemble grains of corn. The tubers are about the size and color of a kernel of corn. This is a common wildflower in northern NY and I see it all over my area. Unfortunately Squirrel Corn is threatened in Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut. In New Jersey it is endangered. A huge patch of Squirrel Corn can be seen along the Russel Turnpike in St. Lawrence County. Contrary to the name the turnpike is a dirt road going through some state forest land in the Town of Parishville.

I also found some Bleeding Hearts in bloom at a local nursery. I almost took 3 of each but in the end managed to resist temptation. Bringing them home meant work to prepare a spot for them and I’ve been trying to avoid allergic reactions as much as possible this spring. But I know sooner or later I’ll have to work.

Bleeding Heart – Dicentra spectabilis

Bumble Love Embrace

White Bleeding Heart – Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’

Liberal White Flag?

I did bring home a few kernels of corm to plant in my shade garden. They should do well and in fact I’m thinking of going back and bringing home some whole plants before they bloom. The only problem is finding a spot easy to dig so as not to disturb them too much. The woods are rich and moist but very rocky and tree root ‘infested’.

Cowslips have been in bloom for nearly a week now in St. Lawrence County, NY. They’re easy to spot, the bright yellow flowers are hard to miss in roadside ditches and low wet spots even while driving along at a great rate of speed. To say they’re everywhere is exaggerating. But not by much. It’s hard to drive any distance without seeing any.

Caltha palustris

The color of the butterfly is off – the yellow is reflected off the flower onto the gray-white wings.

Marsh Marigolds unfortunately are ephemeral. They’ll soon pass like the spring runoff. The areas where they grow will ‘dry out’ but remain moist. Marsh marigolds will tolerate some dry conditions but remember their first name is Marsh. They usually emerge from shallow water or grow on small mounds holding the plant just above the water.

They make a great plant for wet gardens. Who doesn’t need a good shot of fairly early color in the spring? I keep meaning to bring some home for my pond garden but here I am posting instead of digging.

Marsh Marigolds are considered a medicinal plant and both roots and leaves are used. Be warned – all parts of the plant may cause irritation, blistering skin and mucus membranes. It is said that sniffing bruised stems will make you sneeze (I have never tried – see warning). The raw leaves may also induce intoxication. (thinking, thinking – naw I’ll stick to a cold beer after work)

(Image linked to 1024 x 768 size to use as desktop wallpaper)

I’m glad I waited to get a photo because I got a bonus today. Fluttering around was a spring butterfly and while it wouldn’t open it’s wings for me when it landed I did get a good enough look at it to guess it’s a Spring Azure Butterfly.

Spring Azure Ceslastrina ladon

Family: Gossamer-wing Butterflies (Lycaenidae)
Subfamily: Blues (Polyommatinae)
The upper side of the wings were a pale blue. The photo shows the gray-white underside with the faded small black dots and chevrons at the edge.

———————————————————
I’m waiting with bated breath (Leeks) to see if the Blotanical Butterfly Guy is going to correct my ID

The first wild Bloodroot flowers are beginning to open in the area. Mine still have a little ways to go but on the way to town this colony couldn’t be missed while driving by.

Well maybe they wouldn’t be missed, I’m not really sure about other people but I do keep my eyes off the road. And when I spot something like this my truck usually ends up off-road.

Sanguinaria canadensis I couldn’t help but to pull over to get a better look. Besides there were so many I wasn’t hesitant to sacrifice one of these for a better look at what gives them their name. When broken the stems and root bleed a redish-orange sap. The root is toxic but has medicinal and other uses. It has been said that one Native American tribe used it as a love charm. A man would rub the sap on the palms of his hand and then scheme to hold hands with the woman he desired to marry. After 5 – 6 days the woman would be willing to marry if she had held hands. Another use is to apply the sap to warts, I suppose just to make them look pretty because mine aren’t going away. The sap was also used as a dye and to stain the skin for decorative purposes. I’ll have to try next time I want that healthy bottled tan look on my face. I also found it interesting that Bloodroot is a member of the Poppy family. I guess the sap runs thick among them.

Bloodroot is one of my favorite flowers. I love the way the flower emerges from the clasping leaf as if the plant had cupped it in a protective hand until ready to open.

And last but not least is the flower itself. Bright white with a brilliant yellow center.

This is a great woodland – shade garden plant. It naturalizes easy and needs very little care. About the only thing you have to make sure of is not to put it in a spot that becomes bone dry in the summer or in a place where it will have wet feet. Mine get plenty of sun in spring but as the trees leaf out the area only receives a bit of sun early in the morning. In the wild they often grow along the edge of woods only emerging to the point where the hot summer sun does dry out the soil.