The leaves are distinctive as well, having one large lobe on each side. Often they are somewhat cross-shaped.
Oak flowers are small, inconspicuous, and wind-pollinated. The male flowers are produced in catkins early in the spring when the leaves are small.
One of the common spring herbs in this area is Chickweed, Stellaria
media. A
member of the Caryophyllaceae, it has five petals which are so deeply
cleft that they look
like ten petals.
Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica, is a delicate, beautiful
member of our early
spring flora. Dainty though the plants may be, however, they grow from
deep-seated
corms which are difficult to collect for specimens.
Crow Poison, Nothoscordum bivalve, is probably our most abundant
spring
wildflower, and it blooms profusely in the fall as well. It is often
mistaken for the edible
species of wild onions, but should be avoided as it is somewhat
poisonous. It lacks the
strong onion or garlic scent of true onions.
Mounds of bright yellow Buttercups (Ranunculus) can be found in
damp
spots.
A closer look at one of the flowers reveals the many stamens and
apocarpous
gynoecium.
Peppergrass, Lepidium virginicum, is a common weedy member of the
mustard
family. Its oval fruits which are called siliques can be used in food as
peppery spice.
Winecups (Callirho‘ involucrata) are spring favorites--nothing
else is quite the
same color. Like all members of the Malvaceae or Cotton Family, Winecups
have
monadelphous stamens.
Beneath the calyx is an epicalyx, a collection of bracts. This is
feature common to many
members of the family.
This yellow Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is a cousin of
the larger pink
Evening Primroses common along roadsides.
There is a lot of dewberry (Rubus trivialis) in the park, both
under the trees and in
the open. The white flowers are typical of the rose family.
After the petals fall, the developing fruits can be seen.
They get larger..
Each is an aggregate of tiny drupes. Ripe dewberries are relished by
animals and human
snackers alike.
... and larger.
