bloodroot

It’s been five years since I’ve made a post here. I’ve been busy on the other half of the state, but I think about Braddock’s Trail Park often, especially during spring. I made the trip back “home” to North Huntingdon during the first week of April and couldn’t resist a walk through the park to see what I could find.

Instead of restating all of the fun facts about the flowers found here, I’ll fill the post with updated photos. If you’d like facts about the plants pictured here, please read other posts labeled “early spring” or “mid-spring” or “April”. A Google search with the name of the plant will also turn up any information you might want.

First, a PSA from my daughter: “Stay on the trails!” You never know when you’re stepping on “just a leaf” that could become one of our most-admired and sometimes rare wildflowers.

Bloodroot (below) has found it’s way up the hill near the parking lot. You’ll find plenty of it near the waterfall, but this cluster was spotted near the gravel lot.

Harbinger of spring (below) is the park’s earliest bloomer. You won’t find many blooming for long. I spotted only a few.

I almost missed this hepatica (above) near the bridge. You can see some older leaves near the upper right of the photo with younger growth below it. By the time of this posting, you may see hepatica ready to bloom any day. Look for “hairy” stems!

Waterleaf (below) can be found throughout the park with its tell-tale water spot patterns.

You’ll find many clusters of Dutchman’s breeches (above) near the waterfall. I’ve noticed that they like being near trees.

Trout lily leaves are visible throughout the park, but especially one the left side of the paved road as you move downhill (bridge side). They’ll bloom with large yellow flowers.