Plant Sightings

Plant sightings is the main focus of wildeherb. Plants native to North America, and especially the Northeastern United States and Pennsylvania, are found, identified, observed and photographed to become part of a living diary about our plant friends, new and old.

Soloman’s Seal Smooth and False

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This time of year the mint has filled an entire wall of the stone house, the returning lavender is getting ready to open its purple blooms, and the oregano has greened up nicely. The lettuce is just coming up in the garden, while the lilies are sending out their flower heads. The pink oxalis, which is a transplant from North Carolina, is blooming and so is our locally found yellow oxalis. In sunny places in the yard the sheep sorrel is blooming, too.

In the woods near trails or somewhat open areas where light is getting to the forest floor, Smooth Soloman’s Seal and False Soloman’s Seal are in bloom. Both Soloman Seals have a single arching stem with large, parallel-veined, stalkless leaves. These members of the Lily family differ in the placement and shape of their blooms.

False Soloman's Seal volunteered next to this oak tree in the backyard.

False Soloman’s Seal volunteered next to this oak tree in the backyard.

Smooth Soloman’s Seal, Polygonatum biflorum, has one or two greenish-white to yellow, bell-shaped flowers about a half-inch long that hang from the leaf axils. False Soloman’s Seal, Smilacina racemosa, blooms are creamy white and appear in a cluster at the end of the stem.
False Soloman's Seal is in the foreground here and the smaller Smooth Soloman's Seal is in the background.

False Soloman’s Seal is in the foreground here and the smaller Smooth Soloman’s Seal is in the background.

False Soloman's Seal with its cluster of flowers at the end of the stem.

False Soloman’s Seal with its cluster of flowers at the end of the stem.

False Soloman's Seal creamy white cluster of flowers.

False Soloman’s Seal creamy white cluster of flowers.

Smooth Soloman's Seal with its hanging blooms.

Smooth Soloman’s Seal with its dangling blooms.

Hanging blossoms of Smooth Soloman's Seal.

Hanging blossoms of Smooth Soloman’s Seal.

This week we’ve seen the Swallowtail Butterflies flitting about the place. They seem to like hanging around the higher tree branches.

Swallowtail butterfly resting on a sassafras leaf.

Swallowtail butterfly resting on a sassafras leaf.

The woodland herbs are growing up and this week I spotted goldenseal, rattlesnake plantain and wild yam greenery, although it is too early now for their flowers. The pink lady slipper blossoms developed into a bright pink and now the blossoms are starting to dry up as noted by the brownish tinge at the bottom of the blossoms.

Two pink lady slippers blooming brightly.

Two pink lady slippers blooming brightly.

A waning pink lady slipper as noted by the tinge of brown on the blossom.

A waning pink lady slipper as noted by the tinge of brown on the blossom.

Fuzzy pink lady slipper.

Fuzzy pink lady slipper.

In some places the Maple-Leaved Viburnum is in bloom and in other places the blooms are just about ready to open. The flat cluster of blooms appears at the top of the stem above a pair of leaves that remind one of maple leaves for which it is named. The flowers vary from white to light pink and will develop into black berries that sometimes last through the winter. The maple-leaved viburnum seems to be a rather opportunistic plant in that it comes back rather quickly after cutting it back, probably by underground runners. The viburnum will bloom when the plant is only a foot tall or when it is four feet tall.

MAple-leaved viburnum ready to open its light pink flowers.

Maple-leaved viburnum ready to open its light pink flowers.

The Deerberry shrubs are showing their white, down-turned blossoms with protruding stamens, which may remind one of blueberries or huckleberries as the deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum, is a member of the Heath family. The small oval-shaped leaves are pale underneath.

Deerberry blossoms hanging from the leaf axils.

Deerberry blossoms hanging from the leaf axils.

Deerberry blossoms with their protruding stamens.

Deerberry blossoms with their protruding stamens.

Brambles and raspberries are blooming profusely this week everywhere in the woods and especially along the lane or opened areas in the woods. The brambles have a way of opening the lowest blossoms in the group first, followed by others on up the stem.

Brambles opening up their crinkley blossoms.

Brambles opening up their crinkley blossoms.

Brambles blooming in the woodlands.

Brambles blooming in the woodlands.

The Partridgeberry is developing its twin flowers which are in bud.

Partridgeberry twin flowers are in bud now.

Partridgeberry twin flowers are in bud now.

I’ll look forward to the partridgeberry blooms opening as their delicate scent is terrific!

Pine Bush Sands and Native Lupines

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About a half day’s drive northeast from here one would expect the flora to be somewhat behind in blooming. I observed several Spring ephemerals in bloom near Albany, NY whereas the same flowers were past blooming in my neck of the woods in Southcentral Pennsylvania. Here, in NY, periwinkle and common violets are blooming profusely at the edge of some juniper bushes. A beautiful red trillium is a great example of this longitudinal blooming shift.

Red trillium still in bloom in New York.

Red trillium still in bloom in New York.

Skunk cabbage leaves are already quite large, but Mayapples have not opened their blossoms yet in NY.

Mayapple flower buds are not yet open in NY.

Mayapple flower buds are not yet open in NY.

Skunk cabbage near the Kaikout Kill, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany County, NY.

Skunk cabbage near the Kaikout Kill, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany County, NY.

Honeysuckle blossoms are here, but not yet offering their sweet scent.

Honeysuckle blossoms are here, but not yet offering their sweet scent.

Northern downy violets are still in bloom in NY, but have all disappeared in PA.
Taking a hike along the Red Trail in Albany Pine Bush Preserve, I spotted an orchid that was not yet in full bloom. The pink lady’s slipper in NY will be blooming in about a week’s time while these orchids are at peak blooming color in PA.

Pink Lady's Slipper a week before it is to bloom.

Pink Lady’s Slipper a week before it is to bloom.

Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany County, New York.

Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany County, New York.

The Pine Bush is described as a “forever green” area that is protected from further development. It encompasses a unique habitat which is home to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly and 50 other imperiled species. The Karner Blue Butterfly lays its eggs on the Wild Lupine, Lupinus perennis, and the caterpillar depends on the native wild lupine for its only food source. Protecting the habitat of the wild lupine then protects the Karner Blue Butterfly and other endangered butterflies.

Wild lupine is the only native lupine in New York State.

Wild lupine is the only native lupine in New York State.

Wild lupines are necessary for the survival of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.Wild lupines are necessary for the survival of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.

Wild lupines are necessary for the survival of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.

The soil of Pine Bush is unbelievably sandy. The land is basically a bunch of sand dunes in what is called a “pine barrens”. The pine barrens of the Northeast US are rapidly becoming fragmented to the point of no return. Read more about the Albany Pine Bush Preserve to learn more about this special habitat and its inhabitants.

One inhabitant I saw evidence of its having been there, but did not actually see the bird, was a pileated woodpecker. The telltale sign was a rotten tree having big pieces chiseled out and strewn some feet from the tree. The bill on this woodpecker is quite large and so it can drill out large holes in trees in search of a meal. My boot is in the bottom of the picture for a size reference. The wood splinters are as big as my index finger!

Large wood splinters are signs that a pileated woodpecker lives in the forest.

Large wood splinters are signs that a pileated woodpecker lives in the forest.

Blue False Hope Indigo

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It has been three years since I planted the seeds of this perennial, blue false indigo, Baptisia australis. The greenery is delightful with its three-parted leaves reminding one of sweet clover.

Wild false indigo and its three-leaf habit.
Blue false indigo and its light green three-leaf habit.

The spikes of purple, pea-like flowers were less than spectacular, but still showed a deep purple that attracted hummingbirds for a brief time. Perhaps someone can clue me in as to the blooming habits of Baptisia spp.?

Spikes of purple attract hummingbirds to the flowers of wild false indigo.

Spikes of purple attract hummingbirds to the flowers of blue false indigo.

Mayapple Blooms

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The first week of May heralded the arrival of Mayapple flowers. For a couple of weeks now the showy umbrella-shaped leaves have been expanding to their full size. Some are over a foot wide. The flowers are located underneath the canopy of huge green leaves.

Mayapple flower and bud at the Y of two leaves.

Mayapple flower and bud at the “Y” of two leaves.

Usually the mayapple has two leaves overhanging a solitary flower that is borne from the “Y” of the two leaf stems. Here, we found a colony of mayapple containing a few plants having only one leaf over the single flower, which is contrary to what you might read in some wildflower books.

Single blossom underneath a single mayapple leaf.Single mayapple blossom.

Single mayapple leaf and blossom.

Single and double leaves of mayapple over a solitary blossom.

Single and double leaves overhanging the solitary mayapple flower. 

Besides the mayapples there are wild geraniums in bloom along the lane and in the woods under a light canopy of deciduous trees. The ground berries or brambles are ever present now and will bloom repeatedly for a month or more. The lily-of-the-valley is still in bloom and giving off its beautiful scent. The last of the common violets has faded away this week.

Lily-of-the-valley is still blooming and giving off its sweet scent.

Lily-of-the-valley is still blooming and giving off its sweet scent.

Bright yellow flowers in the yard are five-petaled cinquefoil.

Bright yellow flowers in the yard are five-petaled cinquefoil.

Well, about a week before Mother’s Day seems like a good time to come out and view the Mayapples blooming in Pennsylvania. I always liked the canopy-effect the huge leaves make. It’s easy to imagine little fairies romping underneath the mayapples!
Mayapple flowers under the canopy.

Mayapple flowers under the canopy.

Wild Pinks

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In the woods underneath an old oak tree each year I see this wild pink azalea come up in May with its straggly looking leaves. The leaves are long and slender and appear a bit crinkled when unfurling. I wonder if it will bloom more fully than the previous year, but alas all that appears are two flower heads. I have spotted more of this wild azalea in the woods but none of those plants have bloomed as of yet.

It is still really cool to see this wild pink azalea as its predecessors must have participated in bringing us such lovely shrubbery for our front yards and gardens. By the way our azaleas by the house did survive the last blasts of winter, but the leaves on each were bitten by the last frozen nights and some of the greenery will have to be pruned back. One of them does not look like it will bloom.

Wild Pink Azalea blooming under an old oak tree.
Wild Pink Azalea blooming under an old oak tree.

The Lily-of-the-Valley is blooming nicely now. A few of its stems of little white blossoms have been brought inside so that we can appreciate its wonderful aroma.

Lily-of-the-Valley blooms are open for all the passersby to smell.
Lily-of-the-Valley blooms are open for all the passersby to smell.

The other wild pink that I want to mention is the Pink Lady Slipper. Its blooms are out now, but I think its colors will brighten over the next few days to a deeper shade of pink.

The Pink Lady Slipper is blooming in the woods of Pennsylvania.
The Pink Lady Slipper is blooming in the woods of Pennsylvania.
Close view of the Pink Lady Slipper, also known as the Moccasin Flower.
Close view of the Pink Lady Slipper, also known as the Moccasin Flower.

If you are out in the woods looking for this beautiful orchid, set your sights on the two green leaves. The top of the flower might be missed if you are looking down on the lady slipper as the sepals blend in with the forest floor.

Leaves of the Pink Lady Slipper are more noticeable at first glance.
Leaves of the Pink Lady Slipper are more noticeable at first glance.
Leaves of the Pink Lady Slipper are more noticeable than the blossom at first glance.

Some seasons the orchid will not bloom, yet the plant will still send up its greenery.

The Pink Lady Slipper may not bloom each and every year as evidenced by the plant on the right here.
The Pink Lady Slipper may not bloom each and every year as evidenced by the plant on the right here.

Barberry, Newts and A Cow Rub

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In autumn I collect a few sprigs of the Japanese barberry for some greenery and a splash of color. The red berries that dangle down from the barbed branches are perfect for a little Christmas decoration. There are several of the barberry plants along the water stream that runs off from the pond. I only found one Japanese barberry plant blooming and it was situated high in the woods on the west side of the lane. I watched a bumble bee visit a few of the yellow, solitary flowers. None of the barberry near the runoff of the pond were blooming. The Japanese barberry is another alien plant that has escaped cultivation and adapted to local growing conditions. The pretty, scarlet red fruits hang from the leaf axils.

Yellow blooms of the Japanese barberry hang from the leaf axils.
Yellow blooms of the Japanese barberry hang from the leaf axils.

As I approached the pond I saw and heard several frogs jump in. Standing near the pond I spotted the first newts of the season. I saw a couple red spotted newts come up for a breath of air and then dive back down to a deeper area. The pond is pretty muddy-looking, partly from the goldfish that were seen spawning a few days ago, and partly from the plankton bloom that is happening. The newts were at the surface as they danced, one wrapping his tail around the other. They broke apart and embraced only a couple times before sinking back to the depths.

Violet mania has struck! Each time I drive or walk down the lane I go slowly to savor the beauty of the violets since I know their days are numbered.

Violets adorn our country lane at many places.
Violets adorn our country lane at many places.

The Common Blue Violet has five petals, like any other Viola species, with the two lower lateral petals being bearded and all three lower petals heavily lined.

Common blue violet up close showing bearded petals.
Common blue violet up close showing bearded petals.

Coltsfoot is doing a mating dance all its own. The once bright yellow flowers now look like dandelions’ heads just before you blow off the seeds. The coltsfoot leaves are giving away their namesake — the shape of a colt’s foot.

Colt's foot leaves are apparent as the flowers are ready to re-seed themselves.
Colt’s foot leaves are apparent as the flowers are ready to re-seed themselves.

One reason that I enjoy taking flower walks is that I can take my time and really observe things up close. For instance, consider this little weed, called Gill-Over-the-Ground. It is a very low-growing plant that noone driving a car will ever see. It has beautiful, irregular flowers, much like an orchid in shape, which are blue and violet. It is an established alien plant. As a member of the mint family it has been used traditionally in folk medicine for treatment of lung and kidney ailments and as a blood purifier.

Gill-Over-the-Ground is also known as Ground Ivy and will bloom until July.
Gill-Over-the-Ground is also known as Ground Ivy and will bloom until July.

The Pink Lady Slippers are about 4 inches out of the ground. Their blooming should be right around Mother’s Day.

A favorite woodland flower is also blooming that we take special pride in announcing. The fairy wings are blooming! Fringed polygala, or gaywings as they’re called, look like little fairies. Of the five sepals two lateral ones look like wings. The three petals form a tube from which the stamens erupt in a round, fringed little fairy head. Fairy wings are members of the milkwort family. In olden days it was thought that if a nursing woman, or cow for that matter, ate milkwort then her milk production would increase. Don’t know if there is any truth to that tale.

Fringed polygala, Gaywings, or Fairy Wings, are delights to see on a woodland path!
Fringed polygala, Gaywings, or Fairy Wings, are delights to see on a woodland path!

Speaking of cows, who said they are dumb animals? Check out this big girl using a wire to scratch an itch!

Cow rubbing her rear end itch.
Cow rubbing her rear end itch.
Cow rubbing her front end itch.
Cow rubbing her front end itch!

Wild Ginger and Pedro

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The Wild Ginger has made a nice comeback from last year. The roots are sprouting up twice as many plants and the flowers that hug the ground are beginning to bloom. The rounded, heart-shaped leaves are still somewhat crinkley.

Wild ginger is a native perennial with a unique flower that sits on the ground.
Wild ginger is a native perennial with a unique flower that sits on the ground.

The wild ginger was obtained from a native plant conference that will take place again at Millersville University, June 2 and 3, 2006. The native plant sale is open to the public and it is a great place to talk with other native plant enthusiasts.

The mimosa trees are just now starting to show their buds. They must be one of the last to wake up from winter.

Lily-of-the-Valley plants are up and their flowers are formed, but not yet open. Can’t wait to take a whiff of these lovely perennials!

Lily-of-the-Valley has showy white flowers and a wonderful scent, too!
Lily-of-the-Valley has showy white flowers and a wonderful scent, too!

To my dismay I found at least one Eastern Hemlock tree is infected with the dreaded wooly adelgid. A couple hemlocks deeper in the woods are apparently not yet infected, but this tree that shows the telltale white blobs on the underside of small branches certainly is. I suspect the traffic that passes by the infected tree may have had a hand in bringing the pests to it. This hemlock sits next to the farmer’s lane that the farmer uses to reach a field adjacent to our property. Pickup trucks, four-wheelers, sprayers, tractors and combines have all passed by and who knows where else they’ve been.

The white blobs on the underside of the Eastern Hemlock branches are Wooly Adelgid pests.
The white blobs on the underside of the Eastern Hemlock branches are Wooly Adelgid pests.

My Wild False Indigo has taken three years from seed to get this far. I can’t wait to see it blooming!

Wild False Indigo started from a planted seed three years ago.
Wild False Indigo started from a planted seed three years ago.

In my walk around the property today I spotted someone watching me. Pedro! No, the farmer doesn’t employ any illegal aliens, but that is the name I have given the yellow and white tabby cat that must be one of the barn cats. Can you spot Pedro?

Pedro watching me watching him.
Pedro watching me watching him.

Bagging the Bag Worms

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Today I started out taking a walk with intentions of finding some flowers to photograph, but when I saw so many bag worms my plans were changed. I went back to the house, grabbed a couple of plastic grocery bags and headed back into the woods that separate the house from the farmer’s field. In this small area I bagged the bag worms, or tent worms if you prefer, from nearly a dozen small trees. An entomologist would call them Eastern Tent Caterpillars, Malacosoma americanum.

In the past I have burned them out with a lighter or used a stick to scramble their nest. Today, I thought to physically remove them from the cherry trees that they seem to prefer. Is it the taste of the leaves? Why do these destructive caterpillars choose cherry trees for their nests? Is it because many of the cherry trees are already damaged by a blight? I’ll research this a bit, but if anyone can enlighten me — please do!

Bag worms, also called tent worms, are infesting this small cherry tree.
Bag worms, also called tent caterpillars, are infesting this small cherry tree.

Wrapping my hand from the outside of the bag over the nest, squishing the worms into a big handful and sliding them into the plastic was pretty gross! I got over it though. I don’t like the idea of spraying chemicals to kill things, so manually removing the worms was necessary. Burning them out was not possible due to the dry state of things at the moment. If left untouched, the caterpillars would eat every leaf on their tree and other nearby trees.