WiseAcre Gardens

north of the adirondacks – wildflowers & perennials that survive winters colder than my wife's feet

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Roadside Wildflowers – May 16

Posted by WiseAcre on May 16th, 2008

2008

May 16

I was back on the Russel Turnpike again and found a wonderful spot filled with red and white Trilliums, Spring Beauty and Squirrel-Corn.

Red Trillium - WakeRobin The WakeRobins have bloomed a bit later than the White Trilliums found in the same spot on May 1. Right now all the Trilliums are at their peak and can be seen in scattered colonies in the woods throughout the central part of St. Lawrence County, NY.

Trilliums are known for having things in 3s. Today was a bonus 3peat. The easy to spot trilliums lead me to two other wildflowers that are a little harder to spot while racing down a dirt road.

What first registered in my mind when I saw the small while flowers was Bleeding Hearts. Then Dutchman’s Breeches but after a carefull look Im pretty sure that the ‘bed’ of finely dissected leaves was Squirrel-Corn. I didn’t have the heart to find out for sure by digging some up to see if the roots looked like ”corn kernels”.

Squirrel Corn

I’ve saved my favorite for last. Spring Beauty flowers are small but impressive if you get up close.

Spring Beauty

These look to be Claytonia caroliniana (Carolina Spring Beauty) with wider leaves than Claytonia virginica. The whole plant is so small that they are easily overlooked in the undergrowth in the woods. If it wasn’t for the Trilliums getting me to stop in the first place and the Squirrel Corn leading me on I would never have seen them. While most have the striking purple veins some were so feint that they looked plain white.

But that wasn’t all for the day. Just down the road I saw a nice bed of wild strawberries I’ll be picking in the future. Someone already staked a claim but I’m sure the fly won’t be in the ointment when it comes to harvest time.

Strawberry flower and the Fly

5 Responses

Bamapat Says:
May 17th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Great photos and good information, thank you very much.

Ah wild strawberries, as a kid we picked many of them and a sweeter berry you cannot find but man, you need alot to make a pie or even a hefty amount on cereal. Enjoy

Bamapat,
I only end up with a red stain on my fingertips when I pick them. Like you say there’s no sweeter berry and they’re so small that the best place to store them as I pick is my mouth.
Joy Says:
May 17th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Gorgeous pictures ! .. I still don’t understand how I insulted my white Trilliums so much they ran away from home .. BIG sigh ! At least I still have a red one so I better not get on its nerves ? LOL
How are your astilbe Wiseacre ? My peach ones are gearing up .. actually a few are reving ? their engines ? haha
Joy

Joy,
Don’t go out and tell the red one it smells bad.

My Astilbe here at home are doing better after the rain and are filling out nicely. “My” early blooming white ones (Deutschland) in the gardens down on Long Island were starting to bud about two weeks ago.
Mark Says:
May 17th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Hi Wise acre,
Looking back through your last few posts I am impressed with your ponds, you are right about the stones and use them in a wonderful way. You will be proud of me with regards to stones, but you will have to wait a few days. Luckily enough I didn’t have to contend with any of those suuside rocks that want to jump out of the back of your pick-up.

I’m working on some pictures of snorting flames…it has given me all sorts of ideas.

Cheers Mark

Mark,
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with stone. Your other projects are always top notch so I expect to see something good.

Rocks only get suicidal after dealing with me. I’m more stubborn than they are and they get frustrated having to continually fight a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

Just remember I’m not responsible if you get flame broiled.
Apple Says:
May 17th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
All of my red trilliums are done here but I still have several white ones blooming. I’ll have to watch for the other wildflowers as I’ve never seen them before. I have lots of wild strawberries but the critters always get the berries before we do.

Apple,
It turns out we’re just a bit later here than you. I spotted the first trilliums on May 1 and was afraid that they weren’t doing so well this year. A little over 2 weeks later and all worries are gone. The woods are filled with scattered colonies now. Look for wild Foam Flower too – I spotted some yesterday but didn’t have my camera with me.
Mr. McGregor's Daughter Says:
May 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
That’s definitely Squirrel Corn. I’ve got to get me some of that. Those Red Trilliums are quite impressive. Those don’t grow around here; the only red ones are the sessile Toad Trillium. Great finds.

Mr. McGregor’s Daughter,
I’m still looking for Dutchman’s Breeches. Maybe someday. The Red trilliums aren’t rare but they aren’t common either around here. Today I spotted some Pink Trilliums and am still kicking myself for not stopping and taking a photo but I had a huge boulder on the truck again and was in a hurry to get it ‘delivered’. The good news is they’re growing in the hedgerows of my hay fields.