2011 spring wildflower thread

[Elizabeth]

it's a mint (square stem + flower shape), not a Veronica sp. Looks like Glechoma hederacea (gill-over-the-ground) to me. Nice photos!

Thanks once again for the correction. I am learning a lot from this thread.

From Thetford, Vermont - Union Village Dam, May 7, 2011


Sharp-lobed hepatica by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr


Big patch of Purple Trillium by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr
The patch of purple trillium was actually much bigger than this. I have never seen so much in one place before. You can see some sessile-leaved bellwort mixed in.

There was also a lot of Trout Lily; but my shots of that were in even worse focus than the sharp-lobed hepatica.

 

[Tom Rankin]

The patch of purple trillium was actually much bigger than this. I have never seen so much in one place before ... There was also a lot of Trout Lily

Speaking of these 2 flowers:

There are thousands of Trillium on Pitchoff in the ADKs.

There are innumerable trout lilies on Table mountain in the Catskills! They fill an area at least 1000' on a side!

 

[Elizabeth]

I've seen humungous patches of the large white trillium in Upstate NY as well. I guess New Yorkers just do everything in a big way.

I remember lots of trout lilies from hiking Cube a few years ago. The soils may be similar to Cardigans?

From today (May 9, 2011) in Lyme, NH, I got this white violet. Not sure if it is Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) or Northern White Violet (V. pallens) or something else altogether. Based on the leaf shape, I am leaning towards blanda.


White Violet by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr


Sweet White Violet, maybe by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr

 

[JohnL]

Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris

JohnL

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

The ski trails on Cardigan Mountain are filled with Trout Lilies right now, as well -- thousands. (Maybe even a kazillion.)

Clay,

Would love to see a picture of all the trout lillies if you have one.

Donna

 

[nartreb]

The lady's-slippers are just starting to bloom in Waltham. This is about ten days later than last year.

Also found blooms of columbine, corydalis, anemone (shown with poison ivy),

strawberry, blueberry, and some violets with extremely incised leaves (Edit: birdfoot violet, Viola Pedata),

plus a big patch of equisetum (not a flowering plant at all)

 

[RickB.]

Still showing signs of their recent emergence, these Ladyslippers begin their bloom. Bedford, NH, May 12, 2011

 

[Jason Berard]

Tons of wild ginger and ramps on a hike in Norwich, VT on Monday.

 

[JohnL]

Three new ladies all in a row

Starflower Trientalis borealis

Cypress Spurge Euphorbia cyparissias

Fringed Polygala Polygala paucifolia

JohnL

 

[w7xman]

Saco Heath and Lamprey Watershed...

Yesterday I got up early hoping to catch sunrise over the rhodora blooms at Saco Heath...only there wasn't any rhodora out yet. This season is definately 'normal' to slow for flowers. Way later than last year...

Anyway, lots of leatherleaf, some bog laurel, and painted trillium on the perimeter...


Too Early at the Saco Heath by Jim Salge, on Flickr


Painted Trillium... by Jim Salge, on Flickr


Bog Laurel by Jim Salge, on Flickr


On the way home I stopped by a fertile floodplain on the lamprey river in Epping. I have seen trillium leaves there for years, never seen them bloom, and today I realized why. They were nodding trillium, and the flowers were small and underneath. Fun with new species!!!


Nodding Trillium... by Jim Salge, on Flickr

 

[Amicus]

Fringed Polygala (a/k/a Gaywings). By Midstate Trail in Rutland, Mass., Sat., May 14, 2011.

 

[nartreb]

Jason B. already posted one [actually two] of these, but I can't resist:

Watch these things closely when they walk - they're so awkward and slow, and their limbs look so fragile and incomplete, that it's amazing they move at all, yet they manage to scale terrain that would be fourth or fifth class if it were human-sized.

===
And since it's a flowers thread, I'll contribute the second photo of hobblebush:

 

[mtruman]

The Hobblebush and Painted Trillium along the Lost Farm Trail on Monadnock were in fine form last week.

 

[RickB.]

Blue Cohosh today, 5-19, in Campton.

 

[Elizabeth]

Holt's Ledge Trail, Lyme, NH

May 18, 2011. From a hike up the Holt's Ledge Trail (part of the Appalachian Trail) in Lyme, New Hampshire.


Kidney-leaved Violet, maybe by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr
I think this white violet (growing right in the trail) is a Kidney-leaved Violet.


Painted Trillium 2 by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr


Early Saxifrage, maybe by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr
I believe this is Early Saxifrage. The basal leaves (not seen) looked like it. This was growing in very rocky soil at the top of Holt's Ledge. It was very windy, so I had to use my hat to block the wind and get the plant to sit still to have its picture taken.


Goldthread by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr


Blue Violet by Elizabeth W.K., on Flickr
Maybe Northern Blue Violet?

Also blooming were: Pussytoes, Foamflower, Pin Cherry, and Wild Apple at lower elevations (800 - 1500 feet); Hobblebush, Trout Lily, Purple Trillium, Spring Beauty, Bluet, Wild Strawberry, and Smooth Solomon's Seal up higher (1200 - 2000 feet). Serviceberry was blooming at 2,000 feet; but already gone by at lower elevations.

About to bloom: Lady's Slipper and Yellow Clintonia

 

[blaze]

Lily of the Valley

 

[DiamondRidge]

Blaze - Seriously cool shot! Kudos.

 

[JohnL]

Blaze,

I have to say that is the most imaginative flower image I have seen in all of these annual wildflower threads. Very nicely done.

JohnL

 

[blaze]

Thank you for the kind comments. Much appreciated!

Lupine

 

[1HappyHiker]

Well, I'm nearly certain that this is something relatively common . . . however it's NEW to me! It appears to be some sort of violet.
I'd love to have some help with identification.

A patch of these wildflowers was seen on 20-May-2011 along the east bank of the Saco River between Davis Path and Sleeper Brook.