Late May Woodland Flowers: Spurgeon

As the tree canopy has become more dense, the number of wildflower species in bloom at ACRES Spurgeon Woodland Preserve has declined.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed my quick walk there Saturday afternoon, May 28, in spite of the drizzle; unfortunately, the darkness triggered the flash mode. (You may click on the photos to enlarge them.)

False Solomon's Seal and Broad-Leaved Waterleaf were the dominant flowers in bloom.

False Solomon's Seal, Maianthemum racemosum

False Solomon's Seal, closer up

Broad-Leaved Waterleaf, Hydrophyllum canadense

For the first time this year, I found Wild Sarsaparilla blooming, near the vernal pond.  The USDA Plant Database reports that it grows in most counties in the northern third of Indiana.  The leaves and flowers grow on separate stalks that emerge from the underground stem.

Wild Sarsamparilla, Aralia nudicaulis

Three Wild Sarsaparilla inflorescences

Wild Sarsaparilla leaves

 In the 30 minute hike I saw the following native flowers, in addition to those pictured above:

Canada Violet, Viola canadensis
Cream Violet, Viola striata
Wild Geranium, Geranium maculatum
Blue Phlox, Phlox maculatum
Aniseroot, Osmorhiza longistylis

I couldn't resist photographing the interesting mushrooms that have appeared with all the rain of the past weeks.