Hickory Hollow is a Virginia Natural Area Preserve. Hickory Hollow's 254 acres of mixed pine-hardwood forest, ravines and Cabin Swamp form an important habitat for migratory songbirds, wild turkey and a rare plant. Cabin Swamp is an exceptional quality wetland community that supports a very high diversity - perhaps 500 plant species - including several mountain disjuncts. A globally rare Coastal Plain Basic Seepage Swamp is a natural community highlight of the preserve.
Trip Facts
Parking Location: Just east of Lancaster on Route 3, turn left on Route 604 – the parking lot is .25 mile on the left.
Parking Availability : There is room for 5-10 cars
Fee: None
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 2 bars
Month Recorded: May
Hickory Hollow has an extensive trail network, with up to 6 miles of trails to choose from. The signboard near the parking lot provides an overview of the various trail segments. This hike will traverse 3.5 miles of the network, using the White trail as the backbone, with detours on the Yellow, Red and Brown trails. While there are a few hills to climb, the hike is easy to moderate in difficulty.
For this trip, we will focus on the diversity of birds and wildflowers you may encounter. A hike in May can be especially productive for finding the natural treasures here. Many wildflowers will be blooming, and migratory birds (especially warblers) will be evident.
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For a complete list of the plants to be found in Hickory Hollow, go here:
http://www.northernneckaudubon.org/Resources_files/Plant-List-for-Hickory-Hollow.pdf
To see a list of birds, go here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/barchart?byr=1900&eyr=2017&bmo=1&emo=12&r=L718506
This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book – here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond
To learn more about this site, click the link below:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/hickory
Parking Location: Just east of Lancaster on Route 3, turn left on Route 604 – the parking lot is .25 mile on the left.
Parking Availability : There is room for 5-10 cars
Fee: None
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 2 bars
Month Recorded: May
Hickory Hollow has an extensive trail network, with up to 6 miles of trails to choose from. The signboard near the parking lot provides an overview of the various trail segments. This hike will traverse 3.5 miles of the network, using the White trail as the backbone, with detours on the Yellow, Red and Brown trails. While there are a few hills to climb, the hike is easy to moderate in difficulty.
For this trip, we will focus on the diversity of birds and wildflowers you may encounter. A hike in May can be especially productive for finding the natural treasures here. Many wildflowers will be blooming, and migratory birds (especially warblers) will be evident.
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**************************************
For a complete list of the plants to be found in Hickory Hollow, go here:
http://www.northernneckaudubon.org/Resources_files/Plant-List-for-Hickory-Hollow.pdf
To see a list of birds, go here:
http://ebird.org/ebird/barchart?byr=1900&eyr=2017&bmo=1&emo=12&r=L718506
This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book – here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond
To learn more about this site, click the link below:
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/hickory
Trail Map
Have a look at the trail map before you get started. You can easily add distance to your hike by taking a spur trail.
Black-Throated Blue Warbler
If you come here in May, one bird to look for is the Black-Throated Blue Warbler. It will be just passing through on spring migration, so finding it would be a coup.
Common Name: Black-Throated Blue Warbler
A medium-sized (5-5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the male Black-throated Blue Warbler is most easily identified by its bluish-gray head and back, black throat, and white breast. Female Black-throated Blue Warblers are pale brownish-gray overall with a faint white eye-stripes. Black-throated Blue Warblers primarily breed in deciduous or mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, preferring dense forest to more open woodland. Black-throated Blue Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, but this species may also eat seeds and berries in winter. In appropriate habitat, Black-throated Blue Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on leaves, twigs, and branches in the lower canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a buzzing “zur zur zur zreee.”
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Blue_Warbler/id
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: Robert Costello, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Black-throated Blue Warbler 2-20110414 © Kenneth Cole Schneider , Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Common Name: Black-Throated Blue Warbler
A medium-sized (5-5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the male Black-throated Blue Warbler is most easily identified by its bluish-gray head and back, black throat, and white breast. Female Black-throated Blue Warblers are pale brownish-gray overall with a faint white eye-stripes. Black-throated Blue Warblers primarily breed in deciduous or mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, preferring dense forest to more open woodland. Black-throated Blue Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, but this species may also eat seeds and berries in winter. In appropriate habitat, Black-throated Blue Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on leaves, twigs, and branches in the lower canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a buzzing “zur zur zur zreee.”
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Blue_Warbler/id
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: Robert Costello, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Black-throated Blue Warbler 2-20110414 © Kenneth Cole Schneider , Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
A medium-sized (6 inches) wood warbler, the Ovenbird is most easily identified by its light brown upperparts, streaked breast, and orange crown patch. Ovenbirds breed in a number of woodland habitats, primarily dense forests partially or entirely composed of deciduous trees. Ovenbirds may be seen walking on the forest floor while searching for insects in and among dead leaves. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a loud “teacher teacher teacher” commonly heard in northern forests in spring.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ovenbird/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Unknown , Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Seiurus aurocapilla© cyric,Unmodified
Sounds - Encyclopedia of Life,Sound from xeno-canto. XC54136 Seiurus aurocapilla (Ovenbird)© Mike Nelson , Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
A medium-sized (6 inches) wood warbler, the Ovenbird is most easily identified by its light brown upperparts, streaked breast, and orange crown patch. Ovenbirds breed in a number of woodland habitats, primarily dense forests partially or entirely composed of deciduous trees. Ovenbirds may be seen walking on the forest floor while searching for insects in and among dead leaves. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a loud “teacher teacher teacher” commonly heard in northern forests in spring.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ovenbird/id
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Unknown , Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Seiurus aurocapilla© cyric,Unmodified
Sounds - Encyclopedia of Life,Sound from xeno-canto. XC54136 Seiurus aurocapilla (Ovenbird)© Mike Nelson , Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Acadian Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
A small (5 ½ inches) flycatcher resembling several related species in the genus Empidonax, the Acadian Flycatcher may best be separated from its relatives not by appearance, but by its ‘pit-see!’ song. Physical field marks include a green-gray body, white eye ring, pale breast, thin bill, and white wing bars. Male and female Acadian Flycatchers are similar to one another in all seasons.
Acadian Flycatchers breed in mature deciduous forests and, in parts of the southeastern U.S., in swamp forests dominated by bald cypress.This species primarily eats insects. In northern forests in summer, Acadian Flycatchers are most likely to be seen perching in the forest canopy while gleaning insects from leaves. Even when active, however, the Acadian Flycatcher is a difficult bird to identify. Learning this species’ song is crucial to separating it from its relatives, and silent birds are frequently impossible to identify in areas with multiple Empidonax species.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Acadian_Flycatcher/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,© Unknown Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Empidonax virescens
© Greg Lasley ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
A small (5 ½ inches) flycatcher resembling several related species in the genus Empidonax, the Acadian Flycatcher may best be separated from its relatives not by appearance, but by its ‘pit-see!’ song. Physical field marks include a green-gray body, white eye ring, pale breast, thin bill, and white wing bars. Male and female Acadian Flycatchers are similar to one another in all seasons.
Acadian Flycatchers breed in mature deciduous forests and, in parts of the southeastern U.S., in swamp forests dominated by bald cypress.This species primarily eats insects. In northern forests in summer, Acadian Flycatchers are most likely to be seen perching in the forest canopy while gleaning insects from leaves. Even when active, however, the Acadian Flycatcher is a difficult bird to identify. Learning this species’ song is crucial to separating it from its relatives, and silent birds are frequently impossible to identify in areas with multiple Empidonax species.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Acadian_Flycatcher/id
***************************************
COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,© Unknown Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Empidonax virescens
© Greg Lasley ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Large Twayblade
Common Name: Large Twayblade
Scientific Name: Liparis liliifolia
Blooming Time: May-Jun
This inconspicuous, native orchid blooms in May and June. Each plant grows from a new underground corm; the previous year’s corm withers away. Two oval, waxy leaves emerge in April and eventually reach 4 to 6 inches in height. The small flowers begin to form in May, and are clustered on a single stalk.
The flowers are so delicate that in order to appreciate them, you really need to get down on the ground to look closely. Twayblade flowers are irregular in shape; the overall form of the flower suggests a flying insect–maybe an ungainly crane fly. At a distance, the inflorescence appears pink to brown in color; up close, they are actually mauve, pale green and purple.
The genus name Liparis comes from the Greek word for fat or greasy, which may refer to the overly shiny surface of the leaf. Liliifolia refers to the oval shape of the leaves, which resembles plants in the lily family. This flower prefers mesic to moist deciduous forests, pine woods, and often disturbed habitats undergoing succession.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LILI3
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Virginia Wildflowers Web site, https://virginiawildflowers.org/2015/06/14/lily-leaved-twayblade/
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Liparis liliifolia© John Hilty, Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified
Scientific Name: Liparis liliifolia
Blooming Time: May-Jun
This inconspicuous, native orchid blooms in May and June. Each plant grows from a new underground corm; the previous year’s corm withers away. Two oval, waxy leaves emerge in April and eventually reach 4 to 6 inches in height. The small flowers begin to form in May, and are clustered on a single stalk.
The flowers are so delicate that in order to appreciate them, you really need to get down on the ground to look closely. Twayblade flowers are irregular in shape; the overall form of the flower suggests a flying insect–maybe an ungainly crane fly. At a distance, the inflorescence appears pink to brown in color; up close, they are actually mauve, pale green and purple.
The genus name Liparis comes from the Greek word for fat or greasy, which may refer to the overly shiny surface of the leaf. Liliifolia refers to the oval shape of the leaves, which resembles plants in the lily family. This flower prefers mesic to moist deciduous forests, pine woods, and often disturbed habitats undergoing succession.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LILI3
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Virginia Wildflowers Web site, https://virginiawildflowers.org/2015/06/14/lily-leaved-twayblade/
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Liparis liliifolia© John Hilty, Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified
Cucumber Root
Common Name: Cucumber Root
Scientific Name: Medeola virginiana
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
Cucumber root occurs with either a single tier or two tiers of leaves. The upper tier consists of from three to five whorled leaves on the stem above a lower tier of five to nine (also whorled). Only the two-tiered plants produce flowers which are green-to-yellow and appear from May to June. When two-tiered, it grows up to 30 inches high. The waxy leaves are typically 2.5 inches long and about an inch wide, but can be as long as five inches. The leaves have an entire margin. It typically produces three dark blue to purple, inedible berries above the top tier of leaves in September .
This plant produces a crisp, edible tuber that smells and tastes like garden cucumber. It grows in rich, moist woods. The Iroquois of eastern North America used M. virginiana as an anticonvulsive, pediatric aid.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MEVI
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Medeola virginiana
© John Hilty,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) Unmodified
Scientific Name: Medeola virginiana
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
Cucumber root occurs with either a single tier or two tiers of leaves. The upper tier consists of from three to five whorled leaves on the stem above a lower tier of five to nine (also whorled). Only the two-tiered plants produce flowers which are green-to-yellow and appear from May to June. When two-tiered, it grows up to 30 inches high. The waxy leaves are typically 2.5 inches long and about an inch wide, but can be as long as five inches. The leaves have an entire margin. It typically produces three dark blue to purple, inedible berries above the top tier of leaves in September .
This plant produces a crisp, edible tuber that smells and tastes like garden cucumber. It grows in rich, moist woods. The Iroquois of eastern North America used M. virginiana as an anticonvulsive, pediatric aid.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MEVI
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Medeola virginiana
© John Hilty,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) Unmodified
Striped Wintergreen
Common Name: Striped Wintergreen
Scientific Name: Chimaphila maculata
Blooming Time: May-Jul
This plant has dark green, variegated leaves 2–7 cm in length, and 6–26 mm in width. The variegation of the leaves arises from the distinct white veins contrasted with the dark green of the leaf. The stems emerge from creeping rhizomes. The nearly round flowers, which appear in May and July, are found on top of tall stalks. They are white or pinkish and are insect pollinated. The flowers mature to small (6 to 8 mm in diameter) capsules bearing the seeds of the plant, which are dispersed by the wind. It can be found in sandy habitats, well-drained upland forests, oak-pine woods, and similar mesic habitats. It is very tolerant of acidic soil.
The Creek Indians called it 'pipsisikweu' -- which means 'breaks into small pieces' -- after the supposed ability to break down gallstones and kidney stones. Native Americans used its leaf tea to treat rheumatism and stomach problems, and crushed leaves were applied as a poultice to sores and wounds.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHMA3
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Source: Wikipedia,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Chimaphila maculata© Matt Muir ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) , Unmodified
Scientific Name: Chimaphila maculata
Blooming Time: May-Jul
This plant has dark green, variegated leaves 2–7 cm in length, and 6–26 mm in width. The variegation of the leaves arises from the distinct white veins contrasted with the dark green of the leaf. The stems emerge from creeping rhizomes. The nearly round flowers, which appear in May and July, are found on top of tall stalks. They are white or pinkish and are insect pollinated. The flowers mature to small (6 to 8 mm in diameter) capsules bearing the seeds of the plant, which are dispersed by the wind. It can be found in sandy habitats, well-drained upland forests, oak-pine woods, and similar mesic habitats. It is very tolerant of acidic soil.
The Creek Indians called it 'pipsisikweu' -- which means 'breaks into small pieces' -- after the supposed ability to break down gallstones and kidney stones. Native Americans used its leaf tea to treat rheumatism and stomach problems, and crushed leaves were applied as a poultice to sores and wounds.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHMA3
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Source: Wikipedia,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Chimaphila maculata© Matt Muir ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) , Unmodified
Skunk Cabbage
Common Name: Skunk Cabbage
Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus
Blooming Time: Jan-Mar
In late winter/early spring, you are likely to find the flowers of this herbaceous plant popping out of the ground in wetland areas. The exotic, brownish-red flower comes up before the leaves are formed. Through a chemical process, flower can heat itself to about 15 degrees Celcius. This allows it to burn its way through snow cover. Sometimes called first flower of spring. The flower may be heavily mottled with green and maroon streaks and spots, and it is thick-skinned and leathery. Skunk cabbage gets its name from the fact that the plant smells pretty darn skunky if you break off one of the leaves and take a whiff. The flowers are likewise odiferous, but at least in their case, the strong odor of rotting flesh is functional in attracting pollinators–like carrion flies.
By early April, the flowers start to die back just as the bright green leaves simultaneously erupt from the ground. Once that happens, you can spot a patch of skunk cabbage from a good distance away because the tall (15-inch) leafy plants are obvious.
Even though the attractive, “lettuce-like” leaves of skunk cabbage look tasty, you really should refrain from snacking on this plant while you are out in the woods. Skunk cabbage is poisonous to mammals, and if eaten, the leaves will burn your mouth because they contain calcium oxalate crystals.
In the 19th century, skunk cabbage was used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, nervous disorders, rheumatism, and dropsy. Skunk cabbage was used extensively as a medicinal plant, seasoning, and magical talisman by various tribes of Native Americans.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYFO
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Virginia Wildflowers, https://virginiawildflowers.org/2015/03/08/skunk-cabbage/
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Symplocarpus foetidus© Katja Schulz , Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) , Unmodified
Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus
Blooming Time: Jan-Mar
In late winter/early spring, you are likely to find the flowers of this herbaceous plant popping out of the ground in wetland areas. The exotic, brownish-red flower comes up before the leaves are formed. Through a chemical process, flower can heat itself to about 15 degrees Celcius. This allows it to burn its way through snow cover. Sometimes called first flower of spring. The flower may be heavily mottled with green and maroon streaks and spots, and it is thick-skinned and leathery. Skunk cabbage gets its name from the fact that the plant smells pretty darn skunky if you break off one of the leaves and take a whiff. The flowers are likewise odiferous, but at least in their case, the strong odor of rotting flesh is functional in attracting pollinators–like carrion flies.
By early April, the flowers start to die back just as the bright green leaves simultaneously erupt from the ground. Once that happens, you can spot a patch of skunk cabbage from a good distance away because the tall (15-inch) leafy plants are obvious.
Even though the attractive, “lettuce-like” leaves of skunk cabbage look tasty, you really should refrain from snacking on this plant while you are out in the woods. Skunk cabbage is poisonous to mammals, and if eaten, the leaves will burn your mouth because they contain calcium oxalate crystals.
In the 19th century, skunk cabbage was used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, nervous disorders, rheumatism, and dropsy. Skunk cabbage was used extensively as a medicinal plant, seasoning, and magical talisman by various tribes of Native Americans.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Press Highlighted Link – If link not active in your app, copy link to Web browser
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYFO
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Virginia Wildflowers, https://virginiawildflowers.org/2015/03/08/skunk-cabbage/
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Symplocarpus foetidus© Katja Schulz , Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) , Unmodified
American False-hellebore
Common Name: American False-hellebore
Scientific Name: Veratrum viride
Blooming Time: Jun-Aug
Veratrum viride (Indian Poke, Indian Hellebore, False Hellebore, Green False Hellebore) is a species of Veratrum native to eastern and western (but not central) North America. It is a stout plant with large leaves clasping the stem that bears a branching cluster of greenish, star-shaped, hairy flowers. It is extremely toxic, and is considered a pest plant by farmers with livestock. The species has acquired a large number of common names within its native range, including American False Hellebore, American White Hellebore, Bear Corn, Big Hellebore, Corn Lily, Devils Bite, Duck Retten, Indian Hellebore, Itch-weed, Itchweed, Poor Annie, Blue Hellebore, and Tickleweed. It is found in wet soils in meadows, sunny streambanks, and open forests, from sea level in the north of the range, up to 1,600 m in the southeast and 2,500 m in the southwest. Among Native Americans, the plant was used by some tribes to elect a new leader. All the candidates would eat the root, and the last to start vomiting would become the new leader.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VEVI
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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, False Hellebore - Veratrum viride var. eschscholzianum© Lynette, Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0), Unmodified
Scientific Name: Veratrum viride
Blooming Time: Jun-Aug
Veratrum viride (Indian Poke, Indian Hellebore, False Hellebore, Green False Hellebore) is a species of Veratrum native to eastern and western (but not central) North America. It is a stout plant with large leaves clasping the stem that bears a branching cluster of greenish, star-shaped, hairy flowers. It is extremely toxic, and is considered a pest plant by farmers with livestock. The species has acquired a large number of common names within its native range, including American False Hellebore, American White Hellebore, Bear Corn, Big Hellebore, Corn Lily, Devils Bite, Duck Retten, Indian Hellebore, Itch-weed, Itchweed, Poor Annie, Blue Hellebore, and Tickleweed. It is found in wet soils in meadows, sunny streambanks, and open forests, from sea level in the north of the range, up to 1,600 m in the southeast and 2,500 m in the southwest. Among Native Americans, the plant was used by some tribes to elect a new leader. All the candidates would eat the root, and the last to start vomiting would become the new leader.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Common Yellowthroat
Common Name: Common Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a common breeding bird across most of North America, from Canada south through Mexico, with a winter range extending from the southern United States to northern South America. Common Yellowthroats tend to stay low in grassy fields, thickets, and marshes. They breed most abundantly in marshes (especially cattails) and other very wet habitats with low, dense growth. During migration and in winter they are less closely associated with marshes and may occur in any sort of brushy or wooded area.
The diet of the Common Yellowthroat consists mainly of insects and spiders, but includes some seeds.
During courtship, the male displays to the female by flicking his wings and tail, following her closely, and performing a flight display in which he may climb up to 30 m in the air and returns to another low perch, calling and singing.
Common Yellowthroats generally nest less than a meter from the ground. The young remain dependent on their parents for longer than most other wood warblers. Common Yellowthroats are very commonly "parasitized" by Brown-headed Cowbirds, which are "brood parasites", laying their eggs in the nests of birds of other species in lieu of building their own.
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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) © Leo Shapiro Supplier: Leo Shapiro
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, File:Common Yellowthroat by Dan Pancamo.jpg Dan Pancamo ,
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a common breeding bird across most of North America, from Canada south through Mexico, with a winter range extending from the southern United States to northern South America. Common Yellowthroats tend to stay low in grassy fields, thickets, and marshes. They breed most abundantly in marshes (especially cattails) and other very wet habitats with low, dense growth. During migration and in winter they are less closely associated with marshes and may occur in any sort of brushy or wooded area.
The diet of the Common Yellowthroat consists mainly of insects and spiders, but includes some seeds.
During courtship, the male displays to the female by flicking his wings and tail, following her closely, and performing a flight display in which he may climb up to 30 m in the air and returns to another low perch, calling and singing.
Common Yellowthroats generally nest less than a meter from the ground. The young remain dependent on their parents for longer than most other wood warblers. Common Yellowthroats are very commonly "parasitized" by Brown-headed Cowbirds, which are "brood parasites", laying their eggs in the nests of birds of other species in lieu of building their own.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Yellowthroat/id
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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) © Leo Shapiro Supplier: Leo Shapiro
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, File:Common Yellowthroat by Dan Pancamo.jpg Dan Pancamo ,
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Mountain Laurel
Common Name: Mountain Laurel
Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
This plant, also known as calico-bush or spoonwood, is a species of flowering plant in the Heather family, Ericaceae, that is native to the eastern United States. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–9 m tall. Its flowers are round, ranging from light pink to white, and occur in clusters. The plant is naturally found on rocky slopes and mountainous forest areas. It thrives in acidic soil, preferring a soil pH in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. The plant often grows in large thickets, covering great areas of forest floor. Black bears are known to den in "ground nests" in mountain-laurel thickets. The wood of mountain-laurel has a long history of uses by native and Euro-Americans. It has been used in the manufacturing of pipes, wreaths, roping, furniture, bowls, utensils, and various other household goods and novelties.
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Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun
This plant, also known as calico-bush or spoonwood, is a species of flowering plant in the Heather family, Ericaceae, that is native to the eastern United States. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–9 m tall. Its flowers are round, ranging from light pink to white, and occur in clusters. The plant is naturally found on rocky slopes and mountainous forest areas. It thrives in acidic soil, preferring a soil pH in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. The plant often grows in large thickets, covering great areas of forest floor. Black bears are known to den in "ground nests" in mountain-laurel thickets. The wood of mountain-laurel has a long history of uses by native and Euro-Americans. It has been used in the manufacturing of pipes, wreaths, roping, furniture, bowls, utensils, and various other household goods and novelties.
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Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
A medium-sized (5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the male Prothonotary Warbler is most easily identified by its olive back, gray wings and tail, and bright yellow breast and head. The female Prothonotary Warbler is similar to the male, but is somewhat duller, particularly on the head and breast. Prothonotary Warblers breed in wooded freshwater swamps, nesting in abandoned woodpecker nest holes. particularly in mangroves. Prothonotary Warblers primarily eat small insects and spiders, but may also eat seeds and other plant material during the winter. In appropriate swampy habitats, Prothonotary Warblers may be seen flitting through the undergrowth or low forest canopy, gleaning insects and spiders from leaves and twigs. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a series of metallic “zweet” syllables repeated in rapid succession.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prothonotary_Warbler/id
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,© Unknown Supplier: DC Birds, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Protonotaria citrea
© Marv Elliott, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
A medium-sized (5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the male Prothonotary Warbler is most easily identified by its olive back, gray wings and tail, and bright yellow breast and head. The female Prothonotary Warbler is similar to the male, but is somewhat duller, particularly on the head and breast. Prothonotary Warblers breed in wooded freshwater swamps, nesting in abandoned woodpecker nest holes. particularly in mangroves. Prothonotary Warblers primarily eat small insects and spiders, but may also eat seeds and other plant material during the winter. In appropriate swampy habitats, Prothonotary Warblers may be seen flitting through the undergrowth or low forest canopy, gleaning insects and spiders from leaves and twigs. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a series of metallic “zweet” syllables repeated in rapid succession.
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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prothonotary_Warbler/id
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,© Unknown Supplier: DC Birds, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Protonotaria citrea
© Marv Elliott, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Rattlesnake Weed
Common Name: Rattlesnake Weed
Scientific Name: Hieracium venosum
Blooming Time: Apr-Jul
The leaves of this plant are the real attraction. A basal rosette of oval, bluish green leaves hugs the forest floor. Each leaf is outlined with deep purple veins that form a net-like pattern. From May to September, the plant can be found in bloom in shady, dry forests. The dandelion-like, yellow flower heads appear in open clusters on a long, leafless stalk. The common name of this native perennial comes from the fact that it occurs in the same dry, mountain habitats preferred by rattlesnakes! Fortunately, you are not likely to see rattlesnakes here.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Text - Virginia Wildflowers Web site
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Hieracium venosum
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Scientific Name: Hieracium venosum
Blooming Time: Apr-Jul
The leaves of this plant are the real attraction. A basal rosette of oval, bluish green leaves hugs the forest floor. Each leaf is outlined with deep purple veins that form a net-like pattern. From May to September, the plant can be found in bloom in shady, dry forests. The dandelion-like, yellow flower heads appear in open clusters on a long, leafless stalk. The common name of this native perennial comes from the fact that it occurs in the same dry, mountain habitats preferred by rattlesnakes! Fortunately, you are not likely to see rattlesnakes here.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Text - Virginia Wildflowers Web site
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Hieracium venosum
© Evan Raskin ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified
Pink Ladys-slipper
Common Name: Pink Lady's Slipper
Scientific Name: Cypripedium acaule
Blooming Time: Apr-May
Cypripedium acaule is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as lady's slipper orchids. First described in 1789 by Scottish botanist William Aiton, C. acaule is commonly referred to as the pink lady's slipper, stemless lady's-slipper, or moccasin flower. Cypripedium acaule occurs in a variety of habitats from dry forests, especially pine woods, often in humus mats covering rock outcrops, to moist woods, bogs, swamps, brushy barrens, heath, and roadsides. The species also grows in deciduous woods and mesic white pinewoods.
Cypripedium acaule prefers sandy soil, rich in humus, strongly acidic and aerated. The species grows in moderate shade and well-drained slopes. It flowers from April to June. The roots of C. acaule have been used as a sedative. Bees and other insects are lured to the showy and fragrant flower of this orchid by deception, as it provides neither nectar nor accessible pollen.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life, © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources • Source: IUCN,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Cypripedium acaule © aposematic herpetologist , Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 (CC BY-NC 2.0) Unmodified
Scientific Name: Cypripedium acaule
Blooming Time: Apr-May
Cypripedium acaule is a member of the orchid genus Cypripedium. Members of this genus are commonly referred to as lady's slipper orchids. First described in 1789 by Scottish botanist William Aiton, C. acaule is commonly referred to as the pink lady's slipper, stemless lady's-slipper, or moccasin flower. Cypripedium acaule occurs in a variety of habitats from dry forests, especially pine woods, often in humus mats covering rock outcrops, to moist woods, bogs, swamps, brushy barrens, heath, and roadsides. The species also grows in deciduous woods and mesic white pinewoods.
Cypripedium acaule prefers sandy soil, rich in humus, strongly acidic and aerated. The species grows in moderate shade and well-drained slopes. It flowers from April to June. The roots of C. acaule have been used as a sedative. Bees and other insects are lured to the showy and fragrant flower of this orchid by deception, as it provides neither nectar nor accessible pollen.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life, © International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources • Source: IUCN,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Cypripedium acaule © aposematic herpetologist , Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 (CC BY-NC 2.0) Unmodified
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