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| Photo by Ann Rohlfing |
What beautiful sunny mid-70s weather for a Soup ’n Walk
on St Patrick’s Day. Some of us went on a two-hour walk and others a later one-hour
walk. The longer walk gave us a chance to go along the Tuckahoe Trail to see
some of our earliest blooms since this trail has some warmer spots and some
different exposures. The sassafras trees as we walked past the meadow showed
just a hint of their yellow color, and the shadbush (or serviceberry) along the
trail likewise was almost ready to open. The blueberry next to the shadbush did
have blooms but they were not full size yet.
The bridge where the spice bushes are blooming (which
are lovely) is near the border of the Arboretum. There is a sign that you are
now leaving the Arboretum, and we continued on the Tuckahoe Trail. We talked
about the spice bush and the sassafras leaves nourishing the spice bush
swallowtail caterpillars. Someone mentioned that they had read that spice bush
and sassafras leaves were good for tea leaves. This bridge is where early
wildflowers start.
Further down the trail, we were treated to just a few
spring beauties at first and then to broad sweeps of this delicate bloom. In The Secrets of Wildflowers, Jack Sanders mentions that Indian children
would dig up these precious corms and eat them like candy. However, this is not
recommended since that is the only source of next year’s blooms. Someone asked
to what family this wildflower, Claytonia virginica, belongs. It is in the Portulaca or purslane family. The spring beauty
and many skunk cabbage plants share some of this wetland area, although the
spring beauty can tolerate drier areas with dead leaves to grow among.
When we
got to the next bridge, we found that a tree had been uprooted and made
crossing the bridge a slight challenge. We easily made it across and went on to
see where the trail meets a small stream. Along the high bank on the other side
are a number of lacy green wood ferns (spinulose?), and close to our side the
first little umbrellas of mayapples poking through. Some saw frog eggs in the
stream.
On our return trip, we continued to hunt for the
elusive bloodroot wildflower. Finally a sharp eye spotted one and, yes, looking
carefully around we saw several more. Sanguinaria canadensis is a member of the poppy family
(Papaveraceae). This very fragile wildflower comes up folded in a leaf and as
it opens is easily damaged and may last only a day, so we were delighted to
find this treasure. The roots exude a red liquid that gives it the name and
some of its earlier medicinal uses. The seeds are carried off by ants due to
their sticky sweet coating and deposited in the anthills and after the ants eat
the coating, spreading the bloodroot.
The long walk made us hungry, and we hurried back to
the smells of hot carrot and cauliflower soup with herbs served with a pink
grapefruit avocado salad, rye bread with strawberry jam, and chocolate walnut
cookies for dessert. As part of the nutrition info, we discussed the advantages
of eating colorful vegetables and fruits and the many phytochemicals that are
included in these delicious foods. I encouraged all to take back the kitchen
and teach others to cook and eat good food. Norma Jean and Lynn made the
desserts. Mickey, Shirley, Zaida, Mary Jo, and Pat also helped with the setup,
walks, serving, and cleanup that help make this program a success. We had over
30 paying guests and some new members. Thanks to all the staff that also helped
with this event successful.
by Julianna Pax
Arboretum docent naturalist
Arboretum docent naturalist
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