On this sunny and hot Saturday just before Mother’s Day, I returned to 100 Acre Wood in the Town of Malta to continue my wildflower inventory. I was curious to see what changed since last Saturday given this past week’s sunshine and hot temperatures. Regardless of what the calendar says, it feels like summer – without the humidity. You know, a “dry heat.”
Well, the parade of spring woodland wildflowers has begun!
I hope you enjoy this sampler of what is in bloom this week in a nearby woodland; take a look.
Fringed Polygala
Starflower
Wood Anemone
Selkirk’s Violet (AKA Great-spurred Violet)
Wake Robin (purple form)
I did not observe either of the other two forms of this species: white (scentless) bloom or the yellow-green bloom.
Wood Strawberry
PLEASE NOTE: The species shown above has its bloom located above the leaves. Compare with the next photo, which is a species whose bloom is located below its leaves.
Wild Strawberry
Coltsfoot
PLEASE NOTE: The species shown above is nearly done blooming. It is often mistaken for the species shown below, which is just now beginning to bloom and will bloom all summer long. Note the brownish scales on the flower stem above, while the next species has none. However, both will have a fluffy seed head when each is done blooming.
Common Dandelion
Marsh Blue Violet
Foamflower
PLEASE NOTE: The species shown above is sometimes mistaken for the one in the next photo. However, take a close look at the flowers in each photo; they are distinctly different. In addition, the species shown above has a single leaf whereas the next one has what appears to be paired leaves along the stem. However, it is not uncommon to find both species in the same habitat.
Miterwort
Ovate-leaved Violet
Other species also in bloom today included:
- Pin Cherry
- Sassafras
- Sessile-leaved Bellwort
- Sweet White Violet
- Early Low Blueberry
- Small-flowered Crowfoot
- Dwarf Ginseng
- Dwarf Cinquefoil
- Japanese Barberry
- Rue Anemone
For a look at what some of these additional species look like, view the early spring collection of wildflowers elsewhere on my blog.
Happy trails!
Curious By Nature 