A Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) on an exotic invasive, Wintercress (Barbarea vulgarism). The host plant of the Zebra Swallowtail is the Pawpaw Tree (Asimina triloba).
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The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a legume! Yes, it’s a member of the legume (Fabaceae) family. Unlike most members of the legume family, which are able to fix nitrogen through their roots into the soil, the Eastern Redbud doesn’t have this ability.
The seeds in the legume pods are a great source of food for many birds including, Cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Bobwhites. Deer and Squirrels feed on the seeds as well.
Great seed pods, but they certainly don’t impress me nearly as much as the sweet cauliflorous pink (not red) Redbud blooms.
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A common sight as I walk along the dirt road up here, a multitude of butterflies gathered at a puddle intent on gathering what they can, from the puddle. And puddling is what this is called. But it isn’t just puddles where they gather. They will also gather on scat, fermenting fruit, carrion, urine, even sweat on human skin.
The butterflies are seeking sodium, amino acids, and minerals. It’s mostly males that you’ll find puddling. They are gathering these three items to aid in reproduction. They pass them along to the female in their spermatophore during mating, which seems to aid in reproductive success.
Tiger Swallowtails are the butterflies that I see puddling most often but certainly not the only ones. Other butterflies can be found puddling, such as Pipevine Swallowtails, Snouts, and Appalachian Azures, but don’t be surprised if you see others.
An advantage that I see as I find this activity taking place, the butterflies are so concentrating on their task that they don’t pay attention to me and my camera.
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So many favorites. Favorites that, in part, are emerging right now. Emerging as spring makes itself at home. One of those favorites – Common Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium).
The many Common Blue-eyed Grass flowers charm innumerable pollinators like Sweat Bees, Bumble Bees, Bee Flies, Syrphid Flies, and Spring Azures. And the seeds of those flowers provide food for songbirds.
Native to eastern Canada and the US, west to Texas and Minnesota. Not a grass at all but in the Iris family (Iridaceae).
Common Blue-eyed Grass, one of countless favorites.
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Yellow Lady Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum). An incredibly beautiful native flower to have just growing in the woods. Found across the entirety of Canada and the US, Alaska to Arizona and Georgia, growing in open meadows, along streams, and moist woods.
These flowers attract small bees, such as Honeybees, Small Carpenter Bees, and Mason Bees. The flowers offer no nectar and its pollen is a difficult chore to find for the potential pollinators.
I don’t look for pollen or nectar, just the simple joy of finding native plants to capture in photos. This cluster of native orchids certainly brought me that joy!
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Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora), looking mighty pretty right now. But it is an exotic invasive plant that is banned or prohibited in many states. Here in the mountains of central Virginia it is growing in dense thickets in the forest, crowding out native plants.
Native to Japan, Korea, and China, Multiflora Rose was brought to the United States in 1866 to be used as rootstock for ornamental roses. The US Soil Conservation Service in the 1930s suggested its use as a living fence, and for erosion control. In the 1960s scientists were recommending the plants for shelter and a food source for wildlife. And more recently highway median strips have been planted with Multiflora Rose to help eliminate headlight glare from oncoming traffic and to help stop or slow, out of control vehicles.
This plant is a climbing and spreading bush that can grow 1 to 2 feet each month during its growing season, reaching out 10 to 15 feet. Producing 500,000 seeds each year, with a seed viability of 10 to 20 years.
Right now, as the bushes are blooming, there is a native plant to looks quite similar. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). The Blackberry blossoms are nearly the same size, with similar white petals (5 petals on each blossom). BUT those Blackberry blossoms have a soft green center with pale green stamens, while the blossom of the Multiflora Rose, has very bright yellow stamens at their center. And keep in mind that Blackberry bushes are not climbing plants.
I hope you don’t find any.
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This morning I saw the first Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) of the season. In this species, the male is a beautiful blue, while the female is soft earth tones.
It’s just the beginning of the return to the Indigo Bunting breeding grounds, coming all the way from southern Florida and some coming from as far as South America. During their migration they fly at night using the stars for navigation. Amazing.
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Roundleaf Ragwort (Packera obovata). Oh my! Such colors in this plant. Beautiful buds of rich jewel tones of purple.
Then PRESTO! Just a bit of time and the color goes to the opposite side of the color wheel. Those purple buds open to reveal intense yellow. Composite flowers, actually many, many flowers packed together into what seems to be one flower. The outside petals are ray florets, each one an individual flower. The center of the flower, a multitude of disk florets, and again each one is an individual flower.
The first leaves that are formed, ground level leaves, or basal leaves, are roundish and shiny with a slight scalloped edge.
Quite different are the leaves on the stems, called cauline leaves, which are almost fernlike.
Bright colors. My thing.
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Anyone ready for a game of checkers? Little Bear is all set to challenge you if you’re up for a game. Just have to move the flowers out of the way.
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Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum). A perennial evergreen, a succulent herb.
Woodland Stonecrop is the most common native Sedum species in eastern North America.
Its spiky white flowers bloom from April to June. The nectar and pollen of those blooms attract many species of bees. The plants generally are 3 to 6 inches tall, sometimes reaching a height of 8 inches tall.
I have Woodland Stonecrop growing in my yard. It’s a great native ground cover. Highly recommended.
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