Coltsfoot March 4, 2011
Yesterday, I spotted many coltsfoot flowers. These come up in early March or sometimes in late February, several weeks before most forest wildflowers. The flowers fade and die long before the leaves appear in late summer. For a long time, I didn't make the connection. So, if you haven't done so, here a picture from late summer:
Coltsfoot leaves in July
The leaves line our driveway and old logging roads. Although colstfoot is not native, having been brought here by the colonists to use in cough medicine, I find them to be lovely and not very invasive.
On a walk yesterday, I spotted another eastern hemlock tree on our property. That makes three that I know of although there could be others. Across the eastern part of the United States, these trees are slowly being killed by woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). None of our trees show evidence of this bug which eats the sap leaving eggs which look like fungus on the underside of the leaves. I don't know if it is because our trees are immature (about 30 ft. tall) or because all three trees are so isolated from other hemlocks.
Mystery Leaves March 4, 2011
Can you help me identify these leaves? On the same walk yesterday, I found these leaves that looked like they had sprouted in the past week. I see them every year. They seem to have no flowers or maybe they are just the opposite of coltsfoot--with leaves first and then the flowers much later. I looked up all the possible flowers in the lily family since these leaves have parallel veins (notice how prominent they are). But, I couldn't find anything that came close.
I thought I would ask since I had good luck on the mystery pupae on my last post--Marvin said it was probably the pupae of a Cecropia Moth. I agree after looking at the images he linked. Maybe I will see the beautiful moth emerging one day.
I believe that's some type of orchid.
ReplyDeleteI do, too.... orchid, I mean. It looks a good bit like a bletillia of some sort. I have both white (alba) and magenta in my garden. Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletilla
ReplyDeletethere are probably better references, but Wiki is always quick and easy!
If this is it, the flowers will be quite small - one-inch diameter or so, but prolific and the patch will probably enlarge. Perhaps a gift from a bird.
Good luck.
I can't help you with a name, but I do find nature so amazing all year round.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that its a Cypripedium genus, meaning the yellow or pink lady slipper orchid. The leaves in winter wither and shrivel so they don't look exactly like the living leaves.
ReplyDeletewebb--yes, I agree that it's probably an orchid. These leaves are found in two or three throughout our woods of 79 acres so I'm thinking it's probably native and an escapee from a garden.
ReplyDeletebettyl--me too!
ReplyDelete-clark- I wish it was a lady's slipper but have never seen the flower even though I pass by the leaves all spring. The leaves seem to have sprouted recently although they do look a little shriveled. Also, the leaves are striped--green and white. That might help with identification too. I plan to keep a lookout.
Looks like you are getting help with your ID,..I also think they look like some Orchid leaf..I would stake that out and find it later to see if it puts out a flower. :)
ReplyDeleteI think Dawn has a great idea .... stake it and find out when it blooms :) How COOL that you found coltsfoot - I haven't seen any yet. Those rains we got this weekend should make everything start popping up :)
ReplyDeleteYour mystery leaf belongs to the Puttyroot Orchid (Aplectrum hyemale). The plant sends up its leaf during the winter. If you want to know more about this species of plant check out my blog post about it at http://floraofohio.blogspot.com/2011/02/some-over-wintering-greenery.html
ReplyDeletedAwN--I am going to stake it as you advise.
ReplyDeleteKerri--we should be seeing more color once the rain stops and warm weather returns.
A.L. Gibson--after looking at your blog, I am confident it is the puttyroot orchid as you say. Just as I thought, the leaf disappears before the flower so that's making it hard to see. So, Dawn's suggestion of staking it will help. I'm excited! Thanks for your help on the id.
ReplyDeleteAnytime! The native orchids of Ohio and eastern North America for that matter, are among my deepest passions. Always nice to come across any out in the woods, prairies and fields.
ReplyDeleteLovely finds. I never knew what the coltfoot was! Hope the leaves are orchids!
ReplyDelete