Plant Magic: Eastern Redbud and Rue Anemone

Rue anemone, Anemonella thalictroides. 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.

Happy first day of spring! In honor of the vernal (spring) equinox, which occurs at 11:06 PM tonight, I bring you my favorite tree and a delicate flower to balance it out.

A good identifier of my tree in winter are the subtle zig-zag dark-colored branches. In early spring, beautiful reddish or magenta buds appear before the leaves, covering its branches in color. Smell the air near one of these trees, or taste one of the edible buds (which are better before the flowers open). Its smell and taste hint of green peas!

This tree is the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), a member of the pea family. Redbuds brighten our North Carolina woods with nothing but colorful edible flowers, which can be added to salads or eaten straight off the tree. (The seed pods that form later can also be pickled and eaten, but only when young and tender.) If you want to try snacking on a redbud flower, make sure you pick from a tree with plenty of flowers in an area that is not sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizer. Be sure to give gratitude to the plant before picking anything, too!

Once the flowers are past their peak, leaves begin to appear. Redbud leaves are also easily recognizable since they are shaped like a classic heart drawing. These trees provide great shade.

Shifting back to the gifts hiding in the leaf litter, I see a most delicate-looking plant with leaves that remind me of tiny mittens. My subconscious reaction is to hold my breath and move slowly down to it, as if abrupt motion would crush it. Maybe the plant is casting them aside, so the beautiful pinkish to white flower can open to the sun.

This plant’s flower consists of 5-10 white sepals (small petal-like structures that protect the flower within the bud - think dogwood blossoms!) which surround a small greenish flower in the center. Meet the rue anemone (Anemonella thalictroides or Thalictrum thalictroides), a member of the buttercup family. This small plant doesn’t get more than 4 to 8 inches tall. It has traditionally been used to help with diarrhea and vomiting, and has also been experimented with to treat hemorrhoids.

If you’re interested in welcoming native plants like these into your own garden, consider supporting both your local ecosystem and Piedmont Wildlife Center by buying plants from Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation! 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.

Even better, you can save 10% on orders placed by Friday, March 22nd. No coupon code needed! Discount applied at checkout.

I hope these plants bring some light into your life on this first day of spring!

Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis. Photo by Karen McCall.

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.

Mushrooms, coral, & Memorial Day

Our new conservation intern Ren recently came across a magnificent patch of “chicken of the woods” mushrooms (above) in the woods at Leigh Farm Park. This Memorial Day, Executive Director Karen McCall reflects on the connection between mushrooms, coral, and memory:

I have salt water in my blood. The ocean has always been a huge draw to me. My ancestors were sea captains. I lived on my own and worked sailboats in the Caribbean for several years, utilizing the wind, breathing the salt air, soaking up the sun, and snorkeling almost every day. The creatures that live in the sea captured my imagination, especially the corals. They are animals that are the structure for reefs teeming with life, vital to the Earth’s existence - and, consequently, ours. I miss the ocean and its creatures every day.

But then something magical happens here in the woods that connects me to the corals I long to see. Yesterday, our new summer conservation intern, Ren, came in from turtle-tracking excited because she stumbled upon a beautiful display of mushrooms! This beautiful sea of mushrooms Ren shared with us, was on land, growing near an oak tree in the woods not far from our office. The color, shape and size brought the vision of scroll coral into my mind. The mushroom’s fruiting body felt fleshy but firm. There were shallow grooves or wrinkles running from the edges to the base of the fan shaped cap. The underside was smooth as opposed to the gills like portabella or button mushrooms have. Breaking a piece apart revealed its similarity to cooked chicken. I could envision fish lurking under the “fan blades” just like they do with scroll coral. Memories of my time in the garden under the sea flashed through my mind as I soaked in this stunning mushroom. 

Then other memories flooded my mind. Memories of the many people with whom I shared snorkeling and diving outings in the Caribbean; of my ancestors who sailed the seas; of my Dad, who passed away a few years ago; and of my mentor, whose celebration of life I attended a couple of weeks ago. All species working together in the cycle of life, transforming into another, helping us give back, survive, connect.

We spread my Dad’s ashes in the ocean.

The mushrooms help break down trees that have passed.

My mentor, Peetie, had a house on the Neuse River. We went there one weekend, and I had the privilege to share our love of the water, the beaches, birds, trees. At Peetie’s service, her family passed out the Peetie Pledge with tips on recycling, green burial, and reusing items instead of discarding them so we can continue to care for and protect the earth so all species can survive.

Peetie continues to teach us, connect us...

As the coral connects us by absorbing carbon, harboring fish, sharing its beauty…

As the mushroom provides shelter and food for slugs, snails, turtles, insects, people, and transforms us into soil so we can bloom again. 

This Memorial Day, take a moment to look at the creatures, soil, sky, stars and clouds that surround us. See if you can feel the spirit of those who have gone on before us and continue to live on within us. Share your gratitude for all they did to protect us, sacrifice us, provide for us, and pave the way for us to have better lives, more opportunities, room to thrive.

We are all connected.

— Karen McCall, Executive Director