Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Trilliums, anemones, lady's slippers, and more: May 18

Cypripedium acaule
Mountain Lake Biological Station's pilot What's in Bloom program is officially underway!  In just two weeks' time, we've already observed some 20-25 flowering plant species in bud or in flower, some of which have appeared earlier than expected.  For instance, last week (May 18) we saw our first pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule) of the season.  With very little pigmentation in the flower, it appeared almost white.  Other showy species included the painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), and mountain bellwort (Uvularia pudica), and more.  A partial species list is below.  
Trillium undulatum
If you didn't make it out for the walk last weekend, don't worry--you'll have another chance this weekend (and the next weekend, and the next...)!  We're excited to welcome this week's leader, David Darnell, president of the New River Valley chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society.  With David's expertise, a beautiful weather forecast, and a lot of botanical diversity, it's sure to be a perfect day!  For logistical details, visit mlbs.org/whatsinbloom.


Houstonia caerulia
Species observed in flower (among others): 
Houstonia caerulia- bluets 
Vaccinium angustifolium- low-bush blueberry
Anemone quinquefolia- wood anemone
Carex pensylvanicum- Pennsylvania sedge
Conopholis americana- bear corn 
Barbarea vulgaris- yellow rocket (non-native)
Trillium undulatum- painted trillium
Uvularia pudica- mountain bellwort
Anemone quinquefolia
Maianthemum canadense- Canada mayflower
Amelanchier arborea- serviceberry
Acer pensylvanicum- striped maple
Zizia aurea- golden alexanders
Geranium maculatum- spotted geranium
Cypripedium acaule- pink lady slipper

Species observed in bud only (among others): 
Convallaria majuscula- lily of the valley
Medeola virginiana- indian cucumber root
Viola cucullata
Aralia nudicaulis- wild sarsaparilla
Galax aphylla- galax
Kalmia latifolia- mountain laurel
Menziesia pilosa- minnie bush
Clintonia sp.
Photinia pyrifolia- red chokeberry

All photographs copyright Jaime Jones  

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