This is part of an ongoing series of articles about plants and nature written by Alex Junge, a person who attends MSS.

Spring-blooming North American Wildflowers and Ferns

By Alex Junge

One of the first plants to start the growing season is the Eastern Skunk Cabbage, North America’s version of the Amorphallus or Corpse Flower. It is pollinated by flies and small insects. Skunk Cabbage come out in late March and early April, and have yellow-white Lily-like blooms, which give off a small amount of heat that can melt snow that falls on the plant.

Another early bloomer is Sharp- and Round-Lobed Hepatica. Hepatica, or Liver-leaf, is a delightful plan that has become rarer in urban areas. Its flowers are blue to white, look like Daisies, and are a sure sign Spring is here.

Bloodroot, aptly named for the red sap which appears when one breaks the roots, sends up a snow white flower with a yellow center. Bees and flies pollinate it - especially queens looking for nectar or pollen. The flowers are fleeting and only last a week or so. Its seedpods swell and burst, inviting ants to take the seeds away to eat and discard to grow into new Bloodroots.

Wild Ginger is also pollinated by ants and has delicate flowers that can only be seen by brushing aside the foliage.

Ferns abound in the woodland gardens and the forest. Cinnamon Fern is our largest, most majestic fern, often reaching 5 or 6 feet high. Maidenhead Fern grows on hillsides and limestone cliffs. It can be spread by division or spores.

Soloman’s Seal and Wood Poppies can also be grown in the woodland garden. Wood Poppies have yellow blooms and yellow sap, probably to deter predators. Soloman’s Seal can come in different forms, and some can be cooked like asparagus spears.

One of the rarest plants to grow in the woodland garden is the Large Yellow or Small Yellow Lady Slipper or Cypripeduim. They need special conditions and are very vulnerable, though they are becoming more widely available through the advancement of plant breeding and genetics.

Have a lovely Spring and enjoy the great outdoors,

Alex Junge