April 28, 2011 Wildflowers accessible to everyone.

Jim Short on the Pumpkinvine at CR 33

Spring wildflowers are accessible to almost everyone on The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail where it intersects CR 33.  Jim Short was "amazed at the diversity of wildflowers" he could easily see on both sides of the trail when the two of us went there today.  It was cool (46 degrees), but the woods on both sides of the trail cut the wind.  Spring Beauty and Bloodroot had closed up in the cold grayness, but other flowers showed their charm.  The trail was wet, but of course not muddy --- accessible and enjoyable, in spite of some sprinkles.

Diversity?  Definitely.   Today sixteen species were blooming, with two new ones for the season: Wild Geranium  and Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

A trio of Jack-in-the-Pulpits just emerging

Jim was the first to see these three "Jacks".  I missed them, even though they contrast with the brown around them.  Often greenery around Jack-in-the-Pulpits camouflages them.  The pink flowers of Wild Geranium are just opening; I have no good pictures of them yet this year.  As the weather warms, many pink Geranium flowers will come out.  Go back in approximately one week to see.  The Large-Flowered Trillium will likely be at their peak then too.

Below are the sixteen species now showing on the Pumpkinvine near CR 33; earlier posts include photos of most listed below:
Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum
Wild Geranium, Geranium maculatum
Blue Phlox, Phlox divaricata
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica
False Rue Anemone, Enemion biternatum
Rue Anemone, Thalictrum thalictroides
Dutchman's Breeches, Dicentra cucullaria
Yellow Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum
Large-Flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum
Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia
Yellow Violet, Viola pubescens
Purple Springcress, Cardamine douglasii
Cut-leaved Toothwort, Cardamine concatenata
Hepatica, Hepatica nobilis
Spicebush,  Lindera benzoin 
 

(Note: Use extra caution when unloading accessible vans at the intersection of the trail and CR 33; after unloading,  park the van in the grassy area on the east side of CR 33.)