This is part two of the Wildflowers of Route

This is part two of the Wildflowers of Route 624 story which began last week.

Further along, great boulders appeared on the right. On these grew clumps of Resurrection Fern, so named because in dry weather fronds curl in on themselves and look dry and dead. On this day they were bright, green. Recent rains had resurrected the evergreen fronds.

Beyond the boulders, I saw that Japanese Honeysuckle had climbed over, covered and choked out all native vegetation. It was a dismaying sight. What mistakes man makes when, he introduces, accidentally or on purpose, plants from the environment in which they have evolved and existed for millions of years. Here, in The New World, there were no natural checks on Japanese Honeysuckle and it has spread at an alarming rate since being introduced in the 19th Century.

Garlic Mustard was also evident. This invasive and quick growing plant has heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges and white flowers. Initially the foliage does smell of garlic when crushed; soon the odor become strong and unpleasant. An ancient English Herbal stated that it smells like an ‘earth box’ or ‘jack-by-the-hedge.’ From that, I gather it is not even welcome in England where it is native. Garlic mustard is an aggressive plant that takes over and crowds out native wild flowers.

Soon we came upon a fenced area on the left with a sign announcing: Old Oak Picnic Area. Beyond that. Goose Creek flowed. The ‘old oak’ for which I presume the picnic area is named still stands; it is at least four feet in diameter. The picnic area sign also states: private. I saw little evidence that privacy had been respected and litter was apalling.

Among the litter grew Spring Beauty, Clavtonia virginica. The small, elegant, pink-streaked flowers were not open for there was no sun warm enough to warm and set early, solitary bees into pollinating. When the bees are active, the flowers of this lovely little plant open. On a day when the sun appears only to hide again