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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer May 5, 2014 - - No. 129 |
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The old saying that references the rains of April to the blossoming wild flowers in May is ever so true in the woods along Brandy Creek. Four generations of adults have taken their children into that woodlot at the back of the farm each spring. A walk in the woods in search of a favorite flower is the perfect introduction to the changing season; especially after a long winter like the recent one.
The earliest and one of the smallest of the springtime beauties can be found on the south facing slopes leading down to the creek. The delicate lace-like Harbinger of Spring grows only two to three inches tall. You’ll have to get down on hands and knees to have a good look at its tiny white flowers. A few days later you will find, in that same area, Hepatica and Blood Root. Aunt Frances would often take us fourth generation kids out flower hunting two or three times each spring; so as not to miss any of the many species that came and withered during that time.
One of the children’s favorites were Dutchman’s Breeches; a delicately leaved plant producing multiple unusually shaped white blossoms that resemble a pair of upside down hanging white breeches. The name of the plant is as interesting to most of us as is the flower itself. Dozens of these fascinating flowers show themselves each spring above the tunnels where Brandy Creek passes under the old railroad right-of-way. Dog Toothed Violets and Spring Beauties make their appearance nearby. A bit later on, over by the old sugar shack, Trillium presents themselves in large patches of white, obvious in every direction.
In low moist areas near the stream are Cow Slips and Butter Cups. Not too far from, and as the spring moves into summer, are Wild Ginger and the not so flowery Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Bishop’s Cap, May Apple, Virginia Water Leaf, and the rare Pink Lady Slipper that grows over on the old Zoeller place, are but a few of the many others. Wild Germaniums signal the end of the profusion of spring wild flowers.
Aunt Frances would always remind us that we were not to pick the flowers. “You can keep them in your mind where they will last much longer than in a vase at home”, she would say. |
