Story and Photographs By Joan Herrmann

Whereiwander… today will be to a variety of habitats, which shall include our woods and visits to nearby woodlands. I will also check the nearby wetlands and walk along the roadsides to see how many wildflowers are welcoming all that pass by. The daily temperatures fluctuate, but the spring rains and warmer temperatures have induced many of the early bloomers to come forth. The color yellow is most notable to by passers and to insects. Along the roadside among the first blooms are Coltsfoot (Tusilago farfara) and Common Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale). They somewhat resemble one another, but there are several ways in which to tell the difference between these two wildflowers. Both of these plants have a tubercular hollow stem, but the coltsfoots’ stem is scaly while the dandelion stem is smooth. The flower of coltsfoot blooms before its leaves emerge, while the dandelion has no bloom until its leaves have fully emerged.

Another yellow beauty is one that likes its “feet wet” and may be found from late April and most of May. Its common name is Marsh Marigold or Cowslips (Caltha palustris). The genus name Caltha, means “cup” or” goblet,” and the species name Palustris means “marsh” or “swamp.” One of the two common names marsh marigold describes where it may be found and its resemblance to a marigold flower and the name cowslip is because it is a favorite food of moose. Deer and cows actually avoid the plant because for them the plant is poisonous. I have been told that some people actually eat the leaves, but they must be boiled in water with several water changes and re-boiled numerous times before they are safe to consume. In some area the buds have been picked and pickled as a substitute for capers. And some herbalists even use the plant to treat several medical conditions which include warts and anemia. Even though marsh marigolds appear to be yellow in coloring to the human eyes, insects which are sensitive to the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths see them differently and are guided to the “dark flower center”.

Another favorite plant that also needs its “feet wet” and may be found along wetland near streams and swamps and damp woodlands is known as Skunk Cabbage (Sympocarpus foetidus). It gets its name from the noxious (smelly odor) which it emits. Its bloom is a maroon color with greenish yellow speckles, and is a conical shaped “spathe” (a remarkably modified leaf) that wraps around the spadix (flower head). Butterflies, Bees, Beetles and many other insects seek out its pollen and warmth. Skunk cabbage absorbs oxygen and produces heat as it grows and may obtain a temperature of sixty-five degrees or more within the spadix regardless of outside temperatures. This feature helps to warm up visiting insects’ flight muscles. I have also learned that black bears, when emerging from hibernation will feed on skunk cabbage even if acorns are still plentiful.

Woodland wildflowers are emerging too and another yellow can now be seen. The wildflower (Erythronium americanum) has numerous common names. It is known as Trout Lily, Adder’s tongue, and Dog’s Tooth Violet. The name Trout Lily comes from the fact that this plant begins blooming about the same time that trout fishing season begins and its leaves are speckled just like some species of trout. The name Adder’s tongue came from the appearance of the protruding stamens of the blossom, which reminded some people of a snake’s forked tongue. The name Dog’s Tooth Violet because of the corms (underground bulbo-tubers which store food) and resemble a dog’s canine tooth.

While searching for Trout Lilies and many other tiny woodland flowers I have found that they are best viewed through the camera lens or by using a magnifying glass or bending or kneeling down to get a closer look. Yes, you could pick it to inspect it closer, but please keep in mind that it took seven years for each of these plants to produce that flower. The newly opened blooms are particularly important to the newly emerging queen bumblebees and other insects. For the queen, that trout lily can mean the difference between life and death, not only for her but for the fertile eggs that she will soon lay to begin a new colony. The trout lily nectar has a high sugar content fuel source and its pollen will provide protein and nutrients for newly hatched larvae.

Two more early bloomers that are always a delight to find are Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) and Squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis). Both have similar fern-like or fringy leaves, but their blooms are quite different in appearance. They share the same genus, Dicentra which means “two spurs”, but have different species names, cucullaria means disguise and canadensis refer to Canada. The flower of Dutchmen’s breeches is thought to look like “pants or britches” hanging on a clothesline, while squirrel corn is named for its tuber or corm, which resembles a kernel of corn.

As I mentioned previously most wildflowers may have many common names, but they only have one botanical or scientific name. The botanist named Caspar Bauhin, in the late 1500’s, believed that every plant should have two botanical nomenclatures (names) to eliminate confusion in identifying each plant. A Swedish naturalist by the name of Carl Linnaeus in the 1700’s using Bauhin dual naming system set out to name every living thing on earth. These names have a Latin or Greek derivation and allow people of every language and culture to be able to identify the same plant with the same name, whether they are miles apart or on different continents. The first name (Genus) is the “generic” or group name, the second name (species) refers to a description of the plant or sometimes a location or even a person’s name. The genus name is always capitalized, and the species name is always lowercase. Each plant name is unique; while some plants can share the same genus name or species name, they cannot share both.

I hope that you will have the opportunity to spend some time for spring discoveries of wildflowers, and perhaps we will meet in wetlands or woodlands where you wander.

Joan Herrmann has taught and done programs for Schools, Garden Clubs, Libraries, and Nature Centers for about 38 years as a Professional Nature Photographer, Naturalist, and Outdoor Educator. After moving from the Rochester area in 1995, she began her Photography business, Essence of Nature, and became a co-owner of The Artworks in Old Forge, New York. As a docent at Munson, Williams, Proctor Arts Institute in Utica, New York, she has been educating children and adults for nineteen years.

In 2007, she began working with the Black River Outdoor Educational Program (BROEP). In 2013 and 2014, she did a week-long summer program at BROEP with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC).

Using her love of nature and photography, she created a Flora/Fauna outdoor educational program teaching students (ages 6 to 14) the joys of nature and creative photography skills.

Joan’s love of nature has been a lifelong study of Birds, Wildflowers, Mosses, Ferns, Trees, Amphibians, Reptiles, Grasses, Insects, Spiders, Tracks, Scat, and Galls. She has assisted in cataloging all trails used by the hiking Coaches and photographed and identified seasonal Flora.

Since October 2016, she has written a bi-monthly nature column with Adirondack Express Newspaper. In October 2019, she began a bi-monthly column with the My Little Falls newspaper. You may reach her at jmhphoto8442@gmail.com.