I wasn’t expecting the trout lilies, no flowers yet, but there were those green and red mottled leaves, peeking up through the forest floor.
The trees are starting to bud, a haze of red on the maples and yellow fuzz on the pussy willows.
Walking on the path to avoid the ticks, I saw the dead tree with the thick mushrooms and remembered that rattlesnake plantain grows near it.
I wouldn’t have thought to look for them if I hadn’t seen the trout lily leaves.
While I took their picture a couple of woodpeckers talked woodpecker talk…
As the skunk cabbage leaves continue to unfurl.
I think those red and green mottled leaves belong to a Trout Lily – one of my favorite spring flowers, along with Trilliums.
Yes, Dot, they are. It took me a long time to learn their name because I could not connect the fish, which I know nothing about with the flower. But last year it “stuck” for the first time. I will try to get pictures of the flower when they bloom. And I love Trilliums too. I have seen them in our neighbors woods in the past. I will look for them again.
I hope you are able to see the rattlesnake plantain in bloom later in July- Aug. It sends up a single spike of small white flowers. An unobtrusive native orchid, easily overlooked. The leaves are beautiful.
Oh that’s why I never saw them, they bloom later. Thanks Lois, I will write it on my calendar and look for them. Now I’m excited to see them!