Spring Treasures

Cut-leaved Toothwort

As I walked the trails in the Hudsonville Nature Center yesterday afternoon, the temperature was in the mid 60’s and sunny. During this walk I was able to find and photograph nearly 20 species of spring flowering plants, 12 of which I am including in the gallery with this entry. No, none of them were blooming, but some are less than 2 weeks away if the weather stays warm. Some like the Woodland Phlox and Hepatica are easier to find and identify with last year’s leaves still showing. As exciting as these can be to find many others are beginning to grow and rise above the fallen leaves that carpet the woodlands. Most of the Cut-leaved Toothwort that I found were purple and curled under, not yet exposed to enough sun light to begin photosynthesis and thus turn green. But on the southern facing slopes, some of these plants are quit far ahead of the majority, the leaves are opened and green with flower buds well exposed.

Wild Ginger

For those who have been on some the winter nature hikes I lead, you will know I enjoy identifying plants year around a much as possible. As I have pointed out numerous times on these walks, if you become intimately familiar with the plants when in season, you can often identify them when out of season. By learning the leaf shape and configuration on the stem as well as the plants characteristics in general, you can at least get to the genus many times. Many spring wildflowers are fairly easy to identify as soon as they are visible in the woods and wetlands. Pay attentions to the conditions they are growing in and look at the leaves as they begin to unfurl. It does help to know what was growing in a particular spot last year but with some practice you can learn to identify them anywhere. Remember that each of these plants are unique in appearance and some of those coming soon like the Blue Cohush, are especially interesting. Don’t wait for the flowers to bloom to get out and start enjoying the spring wildflowers, go see how many you can find now and then go back when they are blooming to check you success.

Mourning Cloak

On the way out through the woods from the prairie to the parking area at the HNC I saw 3 for sure and I think 4 Mourning Cloak Butterflies. These butterflies overwinter as adults in Michigan and are a joy as well as sure sign of spring.