Plant Magic: Trillium and Bloodroot

Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. Photo by Karen McCall.

Spring is coming to the North Carolina Piedmont - which means the return of trout lily, spring-beauty, and other spring ephemerals! In this series by Executive Director Karen McCall, we explore the wonder of spring wildflowers and celebrate the launch of our new native plant fundraiser through Garden for Wildlife.

I would love to introduce you to some plants I have been anticipating for several weeks. One is trillium, Trillium cuneatum, sometimes known as Little Sweet Betsy. It popped out this past week! The flowers haven’t opened up yet, but its three classic variegated (two-colored) leaves have spread out like an umbrella.

I try to imagine being one of these spring ephemerals, using the energy from my rhizome (a modified stem underground with nodes where roots and leaves are formed) to push the grains of soil away when I feel the ground warm and relax. Testing the looseness of the soil, I decide it is time to stretch and break free. My leaves unfurl providing cover for a toad perhaps, while I reach for the sky with my bud, gathering sunlight making food so I can flash my showy maroon flower to all types of passersby. Ants are great at helping spread my seeds once they are pollinated. 

The other plant I have been looking for for weeks is bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. Like trillium, bloodroot also has a rhizome rather than an actual root. It gets its name from the reddish color when its rhizome is cut open. While bloodroot is highly poisonous, it has been (and is still today) carefully used in herbal medicine to treat many ailments. It can also produce a beautiful orange or pink dye.

Bloodroot’s single white flower comes out of a bud that reminds me of a cartoon spaceship or a miniature green cigar. Sometimes, the stem and bud rise before its single leaf, which emerges perpendicular to the ground and resembles a multi-fingered, leathery, wrinkled hand protecting the flower. As with trillium, ants also help spread bloodroot seeds.

Native plants like trillium and bloodroot are often overlooked by gardeners, but they add so much beauty and drama to a yard. They also require less water and maintenance, and provide native wildlife with a reliable source of food and shelter.

Interested in adding some native plants to your yard this spring? Piedmont Wildlife Center has partnered with Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation to help you do just that! 15% of each purchase you make through our referral link will be donated directly to Piedmont Wildlife Center to help us connect more people with nature.

Beautify your yard, help local wildlife, and support nature education by purchasing native plants through our Garden for Wildlife fundraiser! Get started here - and stay tuned for more Plant Magic soon.

Plant Magic: Trout Lily and Spring-Beauty

Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum. Photo by Karen McCall.

Spring is coming to the North Carolina Piedmont - which means the return of trout lily, spring-beauty, and other spring ephemerals! In this new series by Executive Director Karen McCall, we explore the wonder of spring wildflowers and celebrate the launch of our new native plant fundraiser through Garden for Wildlife.

I find this time of year as magical as the anticipation and excitement of the winter holiday season. Although we’re still several weeks away from the vernal (spring) equinox, spring ephemerals have already begun to pop out of the ground. Each day I go out, I scan the leaf litter for anything green pushing its way through and wonder which of my favorite plant friends will brighten my day, put a skip in my step, and bring a happy glow to my soul. I hope to share many of these plants with you in the coming weeks.

The term spring ephemerals means plants that have a very short growing season. Many show up here in the Piedmont of North Carolina in February and March, but may be gone in a month or two. Having this small window to watch their awakening and the promise of a new season full of color, plus the medicine and energy they carry, is truly… magical! Not only do many of these plants provide food or medicine, but they bring happiness and lightness to the heart as if being greeted by a long lost friend.

As I walk or run through the woods, my heart starts beating faster. My hopes rise as I glance to the spots I know are home to some of my favorites. At first, I see only shades of brown from the detritus covering the ground. But wait, is that a hint of green? My steps slow to a stop as I squat down for a closer look. Sure enough, I did see green! As I look around I see more, and some flowers too. Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum) and Spring Beauties (Claytonia virginica) appear. It is as if they all have risen to wave. 

Trout Lilies I find easy to recognize by their mottled purplish and green leaves that grow close to the ground, resembling a trout’s skin. Their 3 yellow sepals and 3 petals arch back as the flower appears to look down towards the forest floor. Spring Beauties are more subtle. Their flowers are made up of 5 delicate white petals with faint pink lines radiating from the center on each. The lines guide potential pollinators to the light yellow center and pistils (the long filaments in the center of the flower) with pink pollen on them for the prized nectar. Their leaves are long and thin coming off the stem. I didn’t see them until I was close to the ground scanning the area carefully. They open to the sky as if lifting many short arms up and out to celebrate the sun. Both of these plants have edible bulbs, best before their leaves come out, and the water extracts from the Trout Lily have shown to have antibacterial properties. 

There are many beautiful native plants in our area that would make a great addition to your garden. Native plants require little maintenance once established, and play a crucial role in supporting birds, insects, and other wildlife. To protect wild plant populations, you should always purchase from trusted growers instead of collecting specimens from the wild for your garden. This year, Piedmont Wildlife Center has partnered with Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation to help you do just that! 15% of each purchase you make through our referral link will be donated directly to Piedmont Wildlife Center to help us connect more people with nature.

Beautify your yard, help local wildlife, and support nature education by purchasing native plants through our Garden for Wildlife fundraiser! Get started here - and stay tuned for more Plant Magic next week.

P.S. Need another reason to buy your native plants through us? Garden for Wildlife is offering 29% off native plant purchases tomorrow, February 29th! Use code LEAP29 at checkout.

Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum. Photo by Karen McCall.

Spring-Beauty, Claytonia virginica. Photo by Owen Doll.

Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum. Photo by Karen McCall.

Happy Winter Solstice from PWC!

Happy winter solstice from your friends at Piedmont Wildlife Center! Here in the northern hemisphere, today marks the official beginning of winter and is the longest night of the year. As we welcome the new season, the winter solstice is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year, gather with loved ones, and celebrate warmer days ahead!

Want to celebrate the longest night of the year with us? Read on for 3 of our favorite ways to welcome winter:

1. Get together with friends around a campfire

Time to break out the s’mores supplies! Here at Piedmont Wildlife Center, we love any excuse to practice our fire-making skills. Hanging out with friends and family around a campfire, a bonfire, or even a fireplace is the perfect way to anticipate the return of longer days in the spring - while staying cozy and warm right now!

Besides roasting marshmallows for yummy s’mores, gathering around a fire can be a great opportunity to reflect on the old year and welcome the new. Invite each person at your fire circle to share their favorite part of 2023, the biggest challenge they faced this year, and what they’re most looking forward to in 2024. (We use a version of this exercise called “rose, thorn, bud” with our campers during daily closing circles at our summer camps, Homeschool in the Wild, and other outdoor programs!) This practice helps everyone grow closer together, think deeply about the past year, and approach the new year with an attitude of gratitude.

Safety first! Always observe fire safety rules when lighting any fire, especially outdoors. Certain weather conditions can make it more likely for a fire to get out of control, so remember to check whether your area is under a local or state “burn ban” before planning your campfire.

2. Bundle up and go for a winter hike

The weather outside might be frightful, but don’t dismiss the magic of a wintry walk in the woods! The winter solstice is the perfect opportunity to revisit your favorite summertime hiking spots and notice how they’ve changed over the last few months. Some questions to guide your observations as you walk:

• Do you see more or fewer birds here during this time of year? Are they different kinds of birds than you normally see? What do you notice them doing? Do you hear more or less birdsong? (If you’re hiking around sunset, keep an ear out for barred owls’ “who cooks for you” call. As winter goes on and mating season approaches, many species of owl will become more vocal to attract mates and establish their territories.)

• How have the plants changed since the last time you were here? Which trees or shrubs have lost their leaves over the winter, and which ones are still green? How are animals interacting with them? Now that many trees have dropped their leaves, what can you see in the woods that you couldn’t before?

As always, check the weather before you go and be sure to wear the right clothes to stay comfortable. (Layers are your friend!) We don’t typically receive snow in December here in Durham, NC, but keep an eye out for slippery ice or frost on the trail.

3. Celebrate the wonders of North Carolina wildlife

Too cold to go outside? You can celebrate the wonders of wildlife from the comfort of your own home! Put on a winter-themed nature documentary, read one of our staff’s favorite nature books for kids or adults, download a holiday-themed wildlife coloring booklet from our Nature Store, or make plans to start your own pollinator garden with native plants in the spring.

Better yet, consider supporting the care of our Ambassador Animals through our Adopt-an-Ambassador program. This month only, we’re offering a holiday adoption package for just $30. Receive an exclusive virtual holiday card from Pumpkin the opossum, Juniper the great-horned owl, Miracle the dove, or Shelly the eastern box turtle - plus a special holiday video from your selected Ambassador, an educational info packet, and “adoption” certificate! Visit our online Nature Store to get started.

However you choose to celebrate today’s solstice, we hope this winter finds you happy, healthy, and passionate about protecting the natural wonders all around us! Thank you for helping Piedmont Wildlife Center connect people with nature, today and all year long.

Protect wildlife this World Wildlife Conservation Day

Happy World Wildlife Conservation Day from Piedmont Wildlife Center! This day celebrates the progress we’ve made towards protecting biodiversity through conservation efforts like the Endangered Species Act. It also spreads awareness of the threats that continue to face wildlife worldwide, especially the illegal trafficking of animals and animal products as pets and luxury goods.

Today, we're reflecting on how illegal wildlife trafficking threatens animals in North Carolina and beyond - and what steps we can take to makes sure eastern box turtles and other wildlife stay wild. Here are 3 easy ways to say "NO" to the illegal wildlife trade:

#1. oPT FOR CAPTIVE-BRED PETS

Want to care for an unusual pet like a snake, turtle, or parrot? Make sure the animal you're purchasing is captive-bred by an ethical breeder. (Or adopt from a responsible rescue like BeWild Reptile Rescue!) Never purchase an animal that was taken from the wild, as this hurts wild populations and increases demand for trafficked animals.

#2. Keep wildlife Wild

Remember: Opossums, squirrels, and owls may be cute, but they aren't pets! Not only is it illegal to keep them in North Carolina without a permit, but these animals require specialized care that most households can't provide. If you find a wild animal that needs help, contact a licensed rehabilitator like Our Wild Neighbors instead of trying to care for it yourself.

**Please note that Piedmont Wildlife Center focuses on education and conservation and is NOT equipped to accept, treat, transport, or raise injured or orphaned wildlife. If you are in the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill area, please contact Our Wild Neighbors (919-428-0896) or one of these specialized organizations:

Carolina Raptor Center (birds of prey): 704-875-6521

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (ducks, geese, other birds): 704-286-6330

NC State Turtle Rescue Team (turtles, other reptiles): 919-397-9675

You can find additional resources at Animal Help Now and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

#3. rESPECT THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT

Did you find a hawk, eagle, or owl feather in the woods? Admire it... but don't take it home. In the USA, birds of prey are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It's illegal to possess any part of them without a permit, feathers included.

Want more ways to help protect wildlife? Get involved with our Triangle Turtle Trekkers citizen science project to help us monitor declining eastern box turtle populations in North Carolina! With your help, we can protect wildlife and their habitats for generations to come.

Myth or fact: Do snakes chase people?

Move over, Thanksgiving. Today, we’re celebrating Snakesgiving!

Celebrate these misunderstood creatures with Jenna Williams (Conservation Assistant) as she tackles a common myth about North American wildlife: Do rat snakes, cottonmouths, and other snakes actually chase people? Watch the video above to find out!