May | 2015 | Braddock's Trail Park Wildflowers

May 9, 2015

Another great turnout this weekend as our spring wildflower tours come to a close. As the leaves on the trees develop and block essential sunlight from our wildflowers, we begin to see the end of the spring blooming season.

Dr. Jack Boylan summarized the group’s discoveries this weekend:

“Gone are the Harbinger of Spring, Hepatica, Bloodroot, Narrow Leaf Spring Beauty, Cutleaf Toothwort, Wild Ginger, Dutchman’s Breeches, and Squirrel Corn. Starting to fade are Trillium, Virginia Bluebells and Blue-eyed Mary. However, we did find in flower Buttercups, Waterleaf, May Apple, Solomon’s Seal, False Solomon’s Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Phlox, Dame’s Rocket, Sweet Sicily, Sedem and Bed Straw, along with the faithful Self Heal, Speedwell and Ground Ivy.”

It appears that we must wait until next year to see many of the park’s wildflowers. Thanks for your contribution, Dr. Boylan!

For some of the flowers mentioned above, you may find information and photos in earlier posts or in the Wildflower Gallery. Buttercup, Waterleaf, Dames Rocket, May Apple, and both varieties of Solomon’s Seal are featured below.

The scientific name for the Common Buttercup (above) is Ranunculus acris. The Latin word “acris” translates to the English word “acrid,” which refers to an unpleasant taste or smell. This sweet little flower apparently has an aggressive side, using the unappetizing juice within it to defend against hungry predators. You can find this flower near the parking lot. It’s difficult to miss.

Waterleaf is in full bloom along the main road and in patches throughout the park. The leaves have shed their “water spot” appearance and sport a pale purple, delicate flower. There are several varieties of Waterleaf throughout the country, but all consistently have hairy stems, flowers with five lobes, and similar leaf patterns.

Catch the May Apple (above) before the large, white flowers fade. The month of May will last for a few more weeks, but these wildflowers won’t. You’ll find them all over the park. Look underneath the adult plants with two leaves; the flower will appear where the stems form a “V”.

The photos above feature Dame’s Rocket, which has popped up in colonies near the parking lot and along the main road. According to the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry‘s information on invasive plants, this wildflower’s spread across the country is contributed to its inclusion in garden seed mixes. It can be confused with Phlox, but has some distinct differences. Dame’s Rocket has a four-lobed flower whereas Phlox blooms with five.

Though many of the plants in Braddock’s Trail Park carry stories and history, both varieties of Solomon’s Seal are particularly interesting, and connect with the symbolism and legends of King Solomon. Markings on the roots of these plants are similar to the “Seal of Solomon,” which is a six-pointed, star-like shape. The legend of King Solomon also contains tales of healing powers, and this wildflower has been known to have medicinal properties. The Royal Horticultural Society of Britain recognized Solomon’s Seal with its Award of Garden Merit.

“True” Solomon’s Seal and “False” Solomon’s Seal have a very similar build, with oval-shaped, paired leaves cascading down a long stem. You’ll find the main difference in the flower. “True” Solomon’s Seal flowers along the underside of the stem, whereas “False” Solomon’s Seal forms a cluster at the very tip of the plant.

Though we will not perform any guided tours for the remainder of the season, we encourage you to visit the park. Perhaps you’ll make some discoveries of your own. Thank you for reading, enjoy the summer months, and be sure to visit the park next spring for more adventures!

May 2, 2015

Today’s walk brought a large crowd to Braddock’s Trail Park. I’m sure the sunlight and warmth had something to do with it as well. Though we’ll have to wait until next spring to see many of the wildflowers, participants in this walk were able to view the last of the bloomers.

The first of note you’ll find near the parking lot and along the main road through the park. Its greenish white flowers are unimpressive and inconspicuous, but the irritation this plant can cause is anything but subtle.

Stinging Nettle, pictured above, uses long hairs to distribute a “sting” to anyone brave enough to touch them. The University of California’s pest management website has more information on identification and other interesting facts about this plant.

One of the most impressive sights at Braddock’s Trail during the spring season carpets the ground around the trails. Blue-eyed Mary, which was featured in last week’s post, is flowering all over. Catch them before the leaves on the trees block the sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

Those umbrella shaped canopies that have developed in colonies around the park are called May Apple. These produce a small, green apple which can be toxic to humans. May Apple will produce a somewhat large white flower on the adult plants, which can be identified by their “double umbrella” appearance. Young, non-flowering plants have only one stem.

Our wildflower crew was able to identify the tiny, yellow, star-shaped flowers in various areas of the park as Kidney-leaf Buttercup. Further research on this plant revealed that there are somewhere around 275 species of buttercup, which typically have the small, yellow flowers pictured above, but in different shapes and sizes. You’ll find more about this plant, including some interesting legends and stories, at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden website. Apparently, it’s the oldest public wildflower garden in the U.S.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Photo by Chris Federinko.

If you’re not looking for it, you’ll miss Jack-in-the-Pulpit. We found it loitering in a few random places, specifically along the fence near the waterfall, with one sighting near the top of the Eagle #1 Trail. This plant has an interesting hood-like formation to cover a central flower. It will grow red berries in the summer, and the roots can be dried or cooked and eaten.

Our last Wildflower Walk of the season is this Saturday, May 9, at 10:00A.M. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!