A Field Guide to the Early Spring WildFlowers

of the Brown Family Environmental Center

Reagan Neviska19160 Love Rd,Fredericktown, Oh

43019

Pictured: Hepatica

March3/21

Weather: Cold, overcast, light snow

Locations: BEFEC yard and surrounding woods, vernal pools, the Gap Trail alongside the Kokosing river, Pine Overlook Trail, Fern Trail

Observations:I was surprised to see many trees already budding

despite the record low temperatures for this time of the year. Spotted plants such as the Christmas Fern and Garlic Mustard which added a pop of color to the understory.

Also noticed berried still clinging to the Privet plants. Multiflora Rose is just beginning to bud.

No signs of wildflowers or butterflies yet; other insects were absent as well. Birds, however, were active. Red-winged Blackbirds males have arrived. Several Robins and a pair of White-Tailed Blue-Jays were in the backyard of the main BEFEC building.

Grasses in the prairie were dry and dead, though in the yard some common grass has survived the winter. Vernal Pools had little to no activity.

I expect that once the snow melts there will be an increase in activity here. So far the only majors signs of spring seem to be the tree buds and the bird songs.

3/26 Weather: Brisk, light snowLocation:River Trail, Banks of Kokosing, Gap Trail, BEFEC Yard and Pine Overlook TrailObservations: Understory growth and clumps of white flowers growing on both sides of the Gap Trail by the Kokosing river. The flowers grow from a rounded oid and have three petals, which are closed. Identified as a Snowdrops.

Thick leaved plants with several 'spikes' also observed, which grow individually. Additionally an abundance of a plant with leaves smooth to the touch growing in bunches. The edges of the leaves are rough in texture.

Grass shoots are beginning to peek out from the forest debris. Single dropping leaves with ribbed patterned. (Species Unknown) A few widely spaced vines with rough textured leaves under the forest debris.

Most of the tree buds are still closed, although most have many. More understory plants include leaves best described as "fuzzy" There is an abundance of wild onions, which are likened to chives. Garlic Mustard identified and abundant.

A pair of Canada geese spotted on the Kokosing. Also 5 deer on The Pine Overlook Trail. There are a few planst beginning to sprout in the BEFEC yard and Wildlife Garden.

Overall, more growth and life observed than I expected, because of the weather.

3-28

Weather: Cold, overcast

Location: Bishop's BackBone Trail

Observations:

Multiflora rose beginning to bud. Skunk cabbage by stream identified. (Pictured below)

Unidentified plant, yellow in color. It appears to be a flower, perhaps a daffodil.

April 4-4Weather: Sunny, BriskLocation: BEFEC Lawn, Wildlife Garden, River Trail, Kokosing Gap TrailObservations:Bittercrest, a member of the mustard family, observed. It is white/pink in color with 4 petals. It has 6 stamen, 2 of which are short and 4 of which are longer.

Corn Speedwell is also abundant. It has small, purple flowers with 4 petals and grows in clumps. Chickweed (cerastium aruense) has small white petals which are split. They grow across the yard.

At the replicate ponds, Wood Frog egg masses can be observed, They absorb water after they are laid, and often attach themselves to vegetation. Wood Frogs have attapted themselves to Vernal Pools and their eggs are more obviously observed than that of the Spring Peppers, whose calls were also heard. Bullfrog Tadpoles, which have wintered are seen swimming in the pond. Dragonfly Nymphs are thier major predators.

Mosses are also abundant. Each species gad a different spode structure. Hepatica, which has not yet bloomed, has liver-shaped leaves and can be found in the garden.

Spring Beauties are in full bloom on the River Trail. They are pink/white in color, with 5 small petals. Their leaves are long, thin and grass-like in appearance. Their leaves are opposite.

Narcissus or daffodils are still growing on the River Trail, but they have not yet bloomed. Snowdrops are still in bloom on said trail.

4-11Weather: Rainy, overcastLocation: Wildlife Garden,

Observations: Purple Dead Nettle is a member if the mint family, with irregular, purple petals. They can carpet fields and were observed in the garden. Also in the garden is Bloodroot, a member of the poppy family, with 9 white petals (radially symmetrical.) Bedstraw is seen scattered about, and the Hypatica is beginning to open, exposing 8 white petals, and rounded leaves growing in clumps. Virgina Bluebells and Trilums are sprouting, but have not opened yet.

One week after the fire, the prairie is beginning to grow again.

Garlic Mustard is being observed continually. It has rounded leaves and is edible, used for making pestos. It is an invasive species to Ohio but a food resource in France. Horsetails are also seen on the RIver Trail. They are hard for animals to chew. Dutchmen's breeches are growing off the trail, and have white leaves which are dissected in appearance. Virgina Water-Leaf, with spotted blue-green leaves also grow in this area

False Rue Anemone and Rue Anemone are in the Buttercup family and also grow beside the river. They have not yet flowered.

Cutleaf Toothwort is a type of crest pr mustard with white flowers and a distinctive leave pattern. They grow near wild-onion plants, which are abundant in this area near the river.

Touch Me Not is a dycot, which has yet to bloom.

There are 4 species of violets which grow in the area, with heart-shaped leaves. Also 3 species of Trilums, one of which was beginning to sprout on the eastern border of the BEFEC.

4-18

Weather: Warm, breezy

Location: Garden, Pine Overlook Trail

Observations:

Wild Garlic was a substitute for the real thing during WW2. They can be found in the Wildlife Garden. The Trillium Sessile (Toadshade) is finally blooming! It has 3 purple petals. Rue Anemone, False Rue and Meadow Rue are also blooming in the garden. Uvularia (Bellwort) is another plant found sprouting this time of year. Chickweed is still abundant, as well as hypatica and dead nettle.

Broadleaf Wood Violets identified. They are bilateral with basil leaves and tufts at the base of the petals. They are purple in appearance.

Another plant found was similar to dead nettle. It has opposite leaves and a square stem, implying its place is in the mint family. It remains unidentified.

4-23Weather: Sunny, WarmLocation: BEFEC North, Observatory Trail

Observations:There are many Spring Beauties, Violets, Snowdrops, and Dandelions in full bloom.

I observed and identified for the first time a Smooth Yellow Violet, with its 5 petals, and lined leaves. Other variety of yellow flower identified in this area was the Coltsfoot, which has 12 petals.

Growing with the moss was a tiny, purple flower with 4-petals. This was identified as Bluets, or Quaker-Ladies.

Spotted white flower with 5 petals. It has high stems and grows in clusters. Identified later as Meadow Rue.

Many small mammals (Chipmunks, Squirrels) were seen.

4-25Weather: Overcast, ColdLocation: Prairie Trail, Yard, River Trail

White flower identified as a star chickweed. Very abundant in grassy areas.

Purple Leaved Willowherb identified. It is a type of mustard/crest. Bittercress still abundant in the area as well.

Kidney-leaf Buttercup identified near the prairie.

Snowdrops (Pictured by Kokosing) are a white flower which grows in clusters. It is one of the first wildflowers to bloom. They are also known as the Milk Flower, due to their creamy white color. The examples pictured are Giant Snowdrops, but there are 75 different varieties. Based on my observations at the BEFEC, the prime location for these plants is on The River Trail, however, they can also be observed on the Observatory Trail.

Spring Beauties (pictured here beside the Kokosing) are an early spring flower abundant at the BEFEC. They can be found mostly on the Observatory Trail and The River Trail. They have 5 petals that range in color from white to pink to purple. Sometimes they may appear yellow. They are also sometimes striped. In all, the petals range in appearance, depending on the conditions and weather. The roots can be eaten, and it is said that both the roots and the leaves were eaten by native americans.

Hepatica (Also known as Liverwort) is a member of the poppy family. It has 7 white petals and distinctive 3-lobed leaves. It can be used as an astringent and was once thought to aid in liver disease, because of the liver-shaped leaves.

Bloodroot is a member of the poppy family. These images were taken in the garden area of the BEFEC. This and related species are sometimes used in products associated with dental care. It has been used by modern Native peoples to make paints and dyes or a red color.

Trillium Sessile (Toadshade) can be found in the wildlife garden of the BEFEC. It has three petals and three sepals. It is said to be an external treatment for boils, but if taken internally can cause vomiting.

Trilliums on the River Trail.

Dutchman's-Breeches are an easily identified understory plant with two-spurred petals. They can be found on the Gap Trail by the Kokosing River at the BEFEC. Native Americans may have thought this plant was a treatment for some skin diseases, although it actually causes inflamed skin and rashes.

Each of these violets have 5 petals, which are arranged in a way which is distinctive of the violet family. Smooth Yellow Violets can be found on the Gap Trail by the Kokosing and on the Observatory Trail.Broadleaf Wood Violets are found closer to the BEFEC resource building and in the garden. Common Blue Violets are found beside the prairie, on the River Trail, and on The Observatory Trail.

Golden Ragwort (show on the Observatory Trail) is a yellow flower known by many names, including Life Root, Cough Weed and St. James Wort. It is toxic to some animals, but was used by Native Americans for many purposes, including in a tea as a contraceptive. It is a common and well distributed plant, however, it is under threat from the Cinnabar Moth.

Meadow Rue is a member of the buttercup family. It can be found on the Observatory Trail. Although they are called meadow "rue"they are not a true member of said family. They are a very common wildflower in many parts of the world, with 7 white petals. There are upwards of 120 different kinds of Meadow Rue.

Bluet (Quaker Ladies) can be found on the Observatory trail. They have 4 blue sepals with a yellow center. They grow well in areas which other plants might not, areas where the fertility levels are low. This is why it's not uncommon to see this flower in abandoned fields and areas covered in grasses.

Cutleaf Toothwort (Show here beside the Kokosing river) has delicate white flowers when it blooms. These flowers have four petals which are long and pointed. This is what is called an Ephemeral Plant, which implies that it is a plant which blooms rapidly in order to produce sees.

Skunk Cabbage is found on the New Gambier Loop trail by the stream. When it blooms, this plant has a cupped yellow flower. Native Americans used this plant to cure lung ailments. If dried properly, it can be eaten without problems.

Virginia Bluebell is found in the garden at the BEFEC. Here it is shown with the flower buds with the flower buds still closed. When they bloom, their petals form a bell-shape, hence the name bluebell. This plant is very attractive to butterflies, who is its main pollinator.

The Common Dandelion is originally from Europe. It can be found in most grassy areas of the BEFEC. It has a hollow stem, and tap roots, which can be made into a drink similar to coffee.

Perfoliate Bellwort is a member of the Lily family, and can be found in the wildlife garden at the BEFEC. Inside the petals is covered in orange grains, but the petals are a lighter yellow color. The flowers hang from the stems in a distinct way which makes this species of wildflower easy to identify.

Rue Anemone is a member of the buttercup family. It can be found on the River Trail and along the Gap Trail. It has six to ten sepals. The name means Shaking in the Wind in Greek. Their leaves are lobed.

Virginia Waterleaf (pictured here by the Kokosing) blooms in mid-spring with blue, white or purple flowers. They like wet, shady conditions, but can spread out fairly well. There are many in the woods beside the Gap Trail near the river. Their leaves are easily spotted by their blue-green color and their paler spots. . If these plants are placed in a location with direct sunlight, they will soon adapt the light color all over their leaves.

Gill-over-the-ground (Ground Ivy, Creeping Charlie) is found on the Prairie Trail and in the BEFEC yard. It is a ground cover plant in the mint family. It is purple in color, and has a three-lobed flower. It was introduced from Europe, and can be used to make tea, or in salads and soups. It has also been used in beer and cheese making. Although it is a good source of vitamin C, it has possibly negative effects on the liver.

Speedwell (a close up of a picked stem shown here on a rock) can be found in almost all of the grassy locations at the BEFEC. They are a type of watercress, with small, delicate blue petals. They are considered a pest because they can ove-run yards, because they are ground covers. It was used by native people as a tea for lung ailments

Possible Narcissus or Daffodil on Bishop's Backbone Trail

Location: Flowers Present:Prarie Trail Common Blue Violet Gill-over-the-ground

Kidneyleaf Buttercup Spring CrestBishop's Backbone Narcissus/ Daffodil

Observatory Trail Spring Beauty Common Blue Violet Golden Ragwort Meadow Rue Bluets SnowdropsSmooth Yellow Violet

River Trail Virginia Waterleaf Snowdrops Cutleaf Toothwort Rue Anemone False Rue Anemone Trillium Dutchman's-Breeches Smooth Yellow Violet Common Blue Violet

New Gambier Loop Skunk Cabbage

Yard Broadleaf Wood Violet DandelionChickweed Speedwell

Garden (Wildlife) Hepatica/Liverwort BloodrootTrillium Sessile Broadleaf Wood VioletVirginia Bluebell Bellwort

Labeled map of the Brown Family Environmental Center property, showing the location of the wildflowers observed over the course of this class.