Tag Archives: Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)

It’s my birthday and I can hike if I want to

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For over thirty years, my favorite thing to do on my birthday has been to go on a hike in the woods with loved ones. I started this ritual years ago to get family who didn’t seem share my intense enthusiasm for the great outdoors. Hey, it’s my birthday and no one could refuse my simple request. Quite frankly, I have been blessed with a fabulous day to be born ~ May 4th. There is nothing better than having a birthday in May, when everything is breaking out of its winter slumber and painting the woods with a rainbow of colors. Years ago, I commented how lovely the day was and a friend said, “It’s always beautiful on your birthday.” And folks, 95% of the time it really is; ever so often there are more clouds than sunshine, but I really cannot remember it ever raining.

This year, we visited one of my favorite trails, Upper Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca, NY. Although, a few of flowers had already bloomed, we caught just about all my favorites.

Check out all the lovelies along the trail.

Wild Geranium

Bloodroot sans flowers

Dutchman’s-Breeches

Forget-me-not

Sharp-lobed Hepatica

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Trillium

Wild Ginger with flower

Bird’s eye view of Wild Ginger

Large-flowered Bellwort

What do you like to do on your birthday?

Spring walk at Upper Buttermilk Falls

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One of the waterfalls along the gorge of Upper Buttermilk Falls.

One of the waterfalls along the gorge of Upper Buttermilk Falls.

I always think of spring as fleeting. There’s a little voice in the back of my head telling me that if I’m not out there every day checking out the changes, they will happen without me. Which is true – life happens whether you witness it or not. Every spring you will find me out there checking out what flowers are blooming – it is so exciting.

Yesterday, I took a walk along Upper Buttermilk Falls. Even though, I was there 2 days prior, so many new wonderful blossoms had opened up since my last visit.

red trilliumThe Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) has a few names. It is called “Birthroot” because tea brewed from the roots will induce labor. It’s hard to believe that this lovely flower is also called “Stinking Benjamin” which refers to the flower’s unpleasant odor, but pollinators love them. Even though they grow abundantly in some areas, Red trillium is listed on New York State’s Protected Native Plant List.

trailing arbutusIt is always a treat to come across Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens). It is not a very a showing flower and tends to creep and hide along rocks and mosses. It is also known as the Plymouth Mayflower as it was supposedly the first flower to brighten the hearts of the Pilgrims after their first long cold New England winter.

wild gingerPlain and simple I love ginger. So, when I come across Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) I am thrilled. Notice how the maroon flower blooms under the leaves, close to the ground. It is such an understated plant that packs a lot of flavor and healing qualities. Although I am a forager, I have not harvested any Wild Ginger for our meals – yet.

Wild GeraniumWild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) has a lovely little pale pink flower. On this trail, they appeared to like hanging out with the Trilliums.

Wild geranium and white trillium