|
Bloom CalendarWhat's in Bloom:REMINDER TO VISITORS: Please observe flora in bloom from the trails. DO NOT PICK any wildflowers. When spring arrives, the woodland slowly begins to wake up from its winter slumber. The sun penetrates through the bare branches of canopy trees and warms the soil. Organic matter and leaf litter help to retain this heat. Sap begins to move up the trunks of trees and shrubs, preparing them for bud break. Wildflowers on the forest floor respond first to the sun’s warmth and light and begin to grow. They must leaf out, produce flowers, and set seed all in a short amount of time. Once the leaf canopy closes overhead, light levels drop, and woodland wildflowers enter a slower period of growth and sometimes dormancy. Some of the earliest bloomers include those pictured below. Note the shape and color of each flower; both function to attract pollinators that are so important for fertilization and seed set.
|
Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)- Found throughout the woods, along old fencerows, and woodland edges, blackhaw is a small multistemmed tree/shrub with a craggy silhouette. This native plant grows 8-15’ tall and as wide and blooms in mid spring with tight clusters of creamy colored flowers. The leaves resembles those of a cherry (Prunus), hence the Latin species name.
Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)-Native to low woods and swamps, this magnolia is a small multistemmed tree. The leaves are pale green with a silvery-white underside, and the blooms are a creamy white and sweetly scented. Sweet bay magnolia can reach a height of 30-60’, remaining in the understory of the woodland. At SCEE, there is a beautiful specimen in the courtyard garden, as well as one visible from Ravine Loop inside Penn’s Native Acre.
Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) - A rose untouched by cultivation, this species is as wild as they get! Clear pink flowers appear in late spring/ early summer. Towards the end of the summer, the rose hips mature and become reddish in color. The hips can be harvested for use in jams or tea. Virginia rose grows in open fields and clearings. At SCEE, Virginia rose can be found in our raingarden just outside our front entrance.
Purple- Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus)- It’s evident from looking at the flowers that this plant is part of the Rose family. The bright blooms resemble that of many wild roses, emerging a deep magenta and fading to a clear pink. The leaves are quite large, hairy, and maple leaf-shaped, and the fruit is raspberry-like in appearance. Purple- Flowering Raspberry grows in stony woodlands and at SCEE, it can be seen by our front entrance.
Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)- Native to northeastern wetlands, this iris blooms from May to August. The sword-like, blue-green foliage reaches a height of 4 feet. The structure of the flower is key to its pollination: the pollinator (usually a bee) must crawl under the strap-like style and brush past the stamen to get to the nectar. Thus, it carries the pollen to the next flower in visits. At SCEE, blue flag can be seen in the raingarden to the left of the entrance and at Springhouse Pond
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)- Trumpet-shaped, brightly colored blooms attract nectar-loving insects and birds to this plant. The native honeysuckle grows vigorously, adding several feet of growth in one season. In the fall, orange berries replace the flowers. There are two different colored specimens in the courtyard garden here at SCEE.
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)-A member of the Iris family, this native hides among the other sun-loving species, going unnoticed until it blooms. The flowers are tiny, with six petals having a distinct thorn-like projection at the tips. Pale green seed capsules replace the blooms as the fruit develops. At SCEE, blue-eyed grass is seen throughout the meadows and along open trails. Keep your eyes open for something blue at your feet!