Sam and I spent several hours today walking trails in and around the NC Botanical Garden in search of spring ephemeral wildflowers. There were many. In the first hour we probably only covered a quarter of a mile. Every few steps one of us would spy something new raising its little head towards the sun.  A few runners speedily passed us never to even notice the delicate beauties close to foot.

Wildflower guide in hand, Sam searched the keys while I made sketches. Not as easy as it seems actually. The need to know regular from irregular flowers, whether the leaves are opposite, alternate, toothed, lobed, etc. , and if the flowers grow in an umbel, panicle, raceme, or spike helps one to navigate the guide. Obviously two folks that are out on their knees in the woods have a great desire to get the name of the flower right.

Our walk continued up and around the Nature Trails at the garden. A loop through creek-side terrain, up into new leaf-popping hardwoods, and back along the fern lined path. A delightfully pleasant day spent with my best friend in the world learning new terms and structures about the natural environment just miles from home.

Here is a list of the wildflowers we saw today:

Yellow Wood Sorrel

Dwarf Dandelion

Bluets

Rue Anemone

Spring Vetch

Tumble Mustard

Blue Toadflax

Blue Violet

Small-Flowered Bittercress

Purple Dead Nettle

Spring Beauty

Star (Great) Chickweed

Art Prescription: Savor extraordinary spring days.

“In Just-spring when the world is mud-luscious…and puddle-wonderful.”          e.e. cummings