From an email sent to members on Friday, May 17.

A small patch of spring flowers are blooming at the Lake Street entrance (see photos below). That corner of our woods typically escapes the browsing deer and as a result supports a few woodland flowers.

Right now, immediately adjacent to the trailhead, you can see trillium and the orchid-like fringed polygala. The fringed polygalas, also known as gay wings and flowering winter green, merit a close inspection.

First, note the delicate namesake fringe on the tip of the lower petal. Invisible are polygala’s underground flowers. The subterranean flowers never open, and are self-pollinated (1)

In addition, if you take a short hike to the meadow, you’ll find a carpet of wild strawberries in bloom.

While you’re enjoying the blooms take note of the healthy understory along the Mougey’s Lake trail.

Most of the bushes are maple-leaf viburnum and they’ll bloom a bit later. This understory and groundcover typify a northern hardwoods forest with a right-size deer herd.

Compare this corner of our woods with other regions that have been cleared by the deer.

In closing, if you’re inclined to visit the flowers you can park along Isthmus Road and then make the very short trek to the trailhead. If you know of other spots sporting flowers please let us know and we’ll share with members.

Reference

1.Wenzel, Brandee. “Fringed Polygala, Gaywings, Flowering Wintergreen (Polygala paucifolia Willd.)”. U.S. Forest Service, accessed 9 May 2024, https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/polygala_paucifolia.shtml

A patch of trillium growing in the Omena Woods. (Photo courtesy Shawn Bradford)