back by popular demand: native wildflowers of the week at frog bog farm
may apple (Podophyllum peltatum) the flower appears below the leaves and will make a small yellow fruit, said to have an aroma of guava with hints of papaya and strawberry. there are recipes for may apple jam and jelly, one suggesting that "a tart, subtle, exotic" flavor results
wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) the seed pod will be sharp and pointed, giving the alternative name of crane's bill. and speaking of cranes, a pair is nesting in the swamp and we often see a single crane, probably the yearling of the pair.
and introducing a new category: invasive plants of major concern
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata): this is a pernicious weed that is spreading rapidly throughout southeastern michigan. it is a threat to all native wildflowers and tree seedlings, as it can completely dominate a forest floor in 5 to 7 years. it must be pulled and the plants bagged and put in with household garbage (not composted). it is in the woods along the road at frog bog and clusters of it have infested the edges of the dirt road for about a mile to the west.
photo to come
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