Back when there was still snow on the ground I found a welcome patch of green.

Mitchella repens

Partridgeberry is a common native wildflower in the north country’s woods. It’s a low growing evergreen creeper that blooms in June – July. The flowers are twinned and what makes them unusual is they ‘fuse’ to produce a single berry.

Partridgeberry Flower Buds

I’ve taken dozens of photographs but can’t seem to get a good one of the flowers. Maybe it was the rain and low light (and my refusal to lay on the wet ground) that made it so hard to get focused on them. The flowers have 4 petals and have a fuzzy look because they are fringed on the inside.

Partridgeberry Flowers

At first I was disappointed when I took this photo of the berry. I knew it was early back on June 2 and my first though was that I had missed the flowers. Turns out the berries in this location had wintered over in very good shape. Their low fat content helps preserve them. The berries are edible but tasteless. No, I have tried to eat any – just something I’ve read.

Partridgeberry Berry

Colonists called this Squaw Vine after seeing native american women use the plant as a herbal aid to treat menstrual pains and cramps, regulate menstruation and relieve heavy bleeding, and to induce childbirth and ease delivery. Other uses included love potions, ceremonial smoke and food.