THE WORLD OF HERBS

J. E. Kinghorn

"Take A Walk On The Wild Side". Mother Natures Wild Side That Is.

April and May is a great time of he year to discover wild flowers indigenous to our area. Red wild flowers are easy to spot and here are two that are in flower now.

" A woodland walk,

A quest of river-grapes, a mocking thrush,

A wild rose or rock loving columbine,

Salve my worst wounds,"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wild Columbine- (Aquilegia canadensis)

Family: Crowfoot-Ranunculaceae

Habitat: Rocky woodland

Bloom period-April-July

Other Names: Meeting-house, Capon's-tail, Lady's shoes.

Other species: Blue Columbine

Twelve to eighteen inches high. Stems are branching and leaves are olive green in color, lobed and divided. The flowers are large; bright red/orange color; yellow within and appear nodding.

Calyx-of five red petals like sepals.

Corolla-of five petals in the form of large hollow spurs, which are red without and yellow within.

Stamens-numerous.

Pistils-five, with slender styles.

The name columbine is derived from columba- a dove. Aquilegia-derived from the Latin 'Aquila, meaning Eagle. Some believe that it is associated with the bird like claws of the blossom; while others maintain that it refers to the resemblance of its nectaries to the heads of doves drinking at a fountain.

It reminds me of a very ornate bell.

Wake Robin-Trillium erectum

Family: Lily- liliaceae
Habitat: Open wood, hills and swamps. Grows in rich, cool, damp soil.
Bloom period: April-June
Other Names: Birthroot, Nose-bleed.
Other Species: Nodding Trillium, dwarf white trillium, painted trillium.
Seven to fifteen inches high. Stems are stout from a tuber like rootstock. Leaves broadly ovate; three in a spiral a short distance below the flower. Flower; single usually purplish red, occasionally light pink or pale green.
Calyx-three spreading green sepals.
Corolla-Three large lance shaped petals.
Stamens- Six.
Pistil- One ,with three large spreading stigmas.
Fruit- large oval single reddish berry.