flowers
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Springing
When last we saw some blooming Round-lobed Hepatica, it was the white variety in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Over the weekend, we found a little cluster of the pink variation further north in Black Rock Forest.We initially took this pleated beauty for Skunk Cabbage, but further research by the Horticulturalist tells us this is actually False…
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Earth Day
In reality, of course, everyday is Earth Day.From the Black Rock Forest, here’s an emerging Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) flower. An Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis).And some Green Frogs (Rana clamitans), before or after amplexus?
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Nature Morte
The French for still life is nature morte. Doesn’t that just light up your brain?These senescent Tulipa held together a good long week.
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And poppin’: Yellow Trout-lily
The Trout-lilies (Erythronium americanum) are amongst us once again. These were in Prospect Park; a friend reports them out and about in the far north of the New York Botanical Garden as well.The flower’s tepals curve back like this on bright sunny days, leaving the anthers fully exposed for pollinators. (There’s still not all that…
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Bloodroot
Bloodroot. What a name, eh? Sanguinaria canadensis has blood-red sap. (The “root” is actually a rhizome.) The sap has historically been used as a dye and for medicinal purposes. They emerge enveloped by the leaf, then shoot above this protective cloak before opening. Look for these on sunny days when they offer their pollen to…
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Hepatica
A single blooming Anemone in the leaf litter. But more are on the way. Some interesting taxonomic issues raised by this one: The genus name for this spring ephemeral used to be Hepatica and some still think it is. Hepatica, meanwhile, is used as the common name; it’s also called Liverleaf or Liverwort. I’m not…
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Signs and Meanings
“‘You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles.’” ~ A.C. Doyle.
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Texas Flowers
These are some flowers I’ve been hoarding to brighten and warm up a cold winter’s day.
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Pollen Bumble Rumble
Flying between these absurdly large flowers of hybrid rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), this bumblebee was practically glowing yellow from all the pollen.But note how the wings remain mostly clean. Bees are hairy, the hairs statically charged to help pollen stick to them. Of course, you wouldn’t want your wings to be laden with pollen or…
Backyard and Beyond 