Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

NYC Wildflowers Continued

Packera aureaHeart-leaved Groundsel (Packera aurea).Conopholis americana Squawroot (Conopholis americana), needs a new common name.Rhododendron periclymenoidesPinxterbloom azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides).Polemonium van-bruntiaeJacob’s Ladder (Polemonium van-bruntiae).Trillium sessile Toadshade (Trillium sessile).
Trillium grandiflorumLarge-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), also known as White Trillium and White Wake-Robin. “Wake-robin” is a name for trilliums in general, (as well as Jack-in-the-Pulpits); it was also the title of John Burroughs’s first book. The name comes from these flowers’ early spring blooming, in time for the birds, including the robins, arriving from the south. The White Wake-Robin in particular is big and bold, a sight for sore night-flying eyes? According to Gracie, it can take 16 years for one of these white trilliums to bloom in the wild after the seed has set. As the bloom ages this spring, it will turn pink.

These were all seen in the Native Flora Garden at the Brooklyn Wedding Venue, where I also made another surprising discover, which I will detail later today.

mthew

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4 responses to “NYC Wildflowers Continued”

  1. Ms. Carol Gracie

    Hi Matthew,

    Thanks for giving wildflowers some space amidst all of your great bird photos! One typo: should be Trillium sessile.

    Carol

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Thanks! Corrected.

      Reply
  2. elwnyc

    Well, that last description cleared up a mystery for me. I was wondering what that pink trillium was – it didn’t show up in any of my wildflower books.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      There’s also a variety of Purple Trillium with white flowers, which is more common in the Smoky Mountains than in our region.

      Reply

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