Trees are still bare of leaves but many things are about to happen in the woodland. In March a deciduous forest receives 50% of the light when compared to an open field. That percentage may be higher in areas where ash trees have all succumb to the emerald ash borer, which is the case in many parts of the woodland here on the farm. By the end of April the leafy canopy will close in and light levels can drop to 30%.
Soil temperatures will rise quickly but steadily, especially where leaf litter remains and acts as an insulator. Air temperatures will fluctuate maddly and spring wildflowers respond to both. It's an erratic pattern, a stop and go. My feet tell me yes, my head says no, not yet!
One lovely native wildflower is Podophyllum peltatum or the mayapple, named for the small fruit that forms in May after April flowers. Common enough to be considered secure or not threatened, the primary method of spreading is via rhizomes, and large colonies can form over time. Shiny green leaves open to spread like umbrellas, named by Linnaeus from "podo" meaning foot, "phyllum" meaning leaf, and "pelatatum" for shield. Hidden beneath forked stems there is a white flower, often hidden entirely when looking down. Only stems with two leaves will form a flower and an entire colony may actually produce very few flowers.
If you are fortunate enough to find a flower it's imperative that you take time to note its fragrance. Considered musky, which is normally reserved for beetle pollination, I disagree and think it's much sweeter. The flowers have no nectar, balanced by a higher amount of pollen, necessary for feeding young. Native bees, especially queen bumblebees are frequent visitors for just that reason.
So successful is the growth and spread through its underground rhizomes that the energy spent on flower and seed production is minimal. Each rhizome may spread five inches a year versus a seedling which usually doesn't flower until it's twelve years old. If the flower was successfully pollinated it forms a small round fruit; technically a berry, which ripens fully in late August or early September. Several animals will eat the fruit but the box turtle is considered the primary dispenser and it's been proven that seed will germinate faster once its ingested by the Eastern box turtle.
At one time is was considered a member of the Ranunculaceae family or cousins to buttercups, the species in now placed in the Berberidaceae or barberry family. A native with a very wide spread, found growing from Florida to Texas and north to Quebec and Ontario. Rich, shady woods, wet spots and thickets are where you will find them, large colonies can be 100's of years old.
Very soon they will be piercing the leaf litter, rising with leaves rolled like cigars, a round flower bud held in the center of double leafed stems. The excitement of seeing them each spring never gets old. A little jig of happiness is mandatory.
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