Jackson Field Wildflower Walk
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more ...."
In
Ms. Barnhart's narrative of the Jackson Field Wildflower Walk, she describes the outing as a "signs of spring nature walk". Although I couldn't participate in the walk, I did want to be a part of the group's experience in some way. So I went to Jackson Field to re-enact the walk. I followed their footsteps, imagined the conversation, and observed nature with eyes and camera. During my walk, I not only saw what they saw, but I came upon a white flowered plant in bloom that I had never laid eyes on before. The plant is aptly named harbinger-of-spring, Erigenia bulbosa.
Harbinger-of-spring is an early blooming spring ephemeral. Due to the contrast between the dark red to black color of the anthers and white flowers, another descriptive common name is pepper-and-salt. The diminutive native perennial arises from a round tuber and the leaves are not usually fully developed when in bloom. Earlier this afternoon, I had the fortune of seeing this native perennial again along a woodland trail at Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve. I was part of a group of individuals who participated in a nest hunting hike led by Mentor Marsh Naturalist Becky Donaldson. Barely noticeable above the woodland leaf litter, we were all thrilled by its presence.
The Wednesday Wildflower Walks listed in our 2014 Program and Field Trip brochure and viewable on our Events Calendar are scheduled during April and May. No registration is required and the walks go rain or shine. We look forward to your company.
Wishing you a good start to your week,
Lisa K. SchlaG
