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Wildflowers of Sylvan Solace (#14 – #25)

By May 5, 2021 No Comments

This part two of a series detailing my quest to document all of the wildflowers to be found at Sylvan Solace Preserve during the Preserve’s 25th Anniversary Year. Five weeks into the season, I’m sitting at twenty-five species. Amazingly only two of the species chronicled to date are not native to Michigan!

The last five species on this list are presented in the order in which they were originally found not necessarily the order in which they were photographed. A second trip revealed better specimens of some species so their photos come from a later date.

To catch up on part one of the series click here.

#14 Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum) – photographed 16 April 2021

This is the second non-native species on the list after #9 Common Dandelion

#15 Downy Serviceberry (Amelchior arborea) – photographed 16 April 2021

Downy Serviceberry (AKA Juneberry or Shadberry) is a shrub or understory tree characterized by its hairy leaves and five-petaled flowers.

#16 American Dog Violet (Viola labradorica) – photographed 16 April 2021

One of MANY violet species. Dog Violet is found in wet habitats, has flowers that grow on the same stalks as the leaves, and has blunt elongated spur.

#17 Broad-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine diphylla) – photographed 20 April 2021

This is the second Cardamine on the list. Toothwort’s crinkly roots resemble teeth so it was used as folk medicine for the treatment of toothaches. It is also known as Crinkleroot.

#18 Mitrewort (Mitella diphylla) – photographed 20 April 2021

Named Miterwort because its seed capsules resemble the traditional headgear (mitres) worn by Roman Catholic bishops. Also called Bishop’s-cap for the same reason. But never mind the etymology of the name! Check out the cool (tiny) snowflake of a flower.

#19 Smooth Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) – photographed 23 April 2021

Differentiated from Downy Serviceberry by having smooth leaves, the leaves of Smooth Serviceberry are also characterized by their coppery red color. They will eventually turn green.

#20 Small-flowered Buttercup (Ranunculuc abortivus) – photographed 28 April 2021

Most buttercups have showy flowers and are only found in wet locations. The blooms on this species are small (only 1/4 inch across) and the plant itself is equally at home in dry and wet habitats.

#21 Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens) – photographed 28 April 2021

This Michigan’s only yellow violet species. Some individual plants are quite hairy while others may be smooth.

#22 Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) – photographed 27 April 2021

Wild Ginger flowers can be quite difficult to spot because they grow right on the ground.

#23 Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) – photographed 27 April 2021

Wood Amemone flowers open up fully on bright sunny days, often remaining closed when the skies are overcast. It took several days of searching to find an open bloom to photograph.

#24 Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) – photographed 28 April 2021

Most of Sylvan Solace Preserve is too dry for Jack-in-the-pulpit; they seem to prefer moist rich soil and are only found in few locations on the property.

#25 Large-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) – photographed 01 May 2021

Tri = three; Lilium = a member of the lily family. Trillium = a lily that does things (like petals, sepals, and leaves) in threes…