Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pure Michigan


From a small and unpaved lot, a gravel trail winds off toward the Huron shore. Between the rough and lichen-covered stands of evergreens, in what would seem, to many, inhospitable ground, small plants thrive in the rocky limestone.
From beneath bent and weathered branches, delicate white flowers reach into spots of sunshine.

Limber Honeysuckle, Lonicera dioica

A well-mannered native honeysuckle sends forth its first tentative growth of spring.
These woods are yet unspoiled.


Starry False Solomon's-Seal, Smilacina stellata

As much as many see the vast expanse of blue,
or wild and untamed land, the cobbled shore,
I see that the small, white flowers grow here--
still.



Starflower, Trientalis borealis



Dwarf Lake Iris, Iris lacustris, forma albiflora (white form),
found only in Great Lakes region



Bird's-eye Primrose, Primula mistassinica



Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
presumed extirpated from OH




Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis
endangered in OH



Bastard Toadflax, Comandra umbellata



Labrador-tea, Ledum groenlandicum
endangered in OH

More discoveries to come from along the trail of the Birds and Botany weekend hosted by NettieBay Lodge.

.

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15 comments:

littleorangeguy said...

Love the star flower, but the Labrador Tea speaks to my Newfoundland heart. We had one in our backyard for several years, and it did quite well. Last year we had to move it, and it did not survive the winter. We need to find a new one.

Susan Ellis said...

Lovely littel flowers all - very similar to what we have here on the other side of Lake Huron.
Your photos make them shine.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Oh, I see it was the lower pen in MI where you were. I guess it sounds a lot like the UP. These flowers are precious. I just love their names too "Bearberry" and "Bird'seye". They sound like names for wild flowers.

RG said...

And if you listen close - up over there where the trail nears the big Lake - you will hear the Indian Drum!

KaHolly said...

Lovely meander through your flower pictures. Labrador Tea and Bunchberries are in abundance up here.

Lynn said...

I left a blog award for you at my blog!!! Your blog is special!!! Enjoy... Please pass it on!

Anonymous said...

I just saw a commercial for Michigan. Wasn't really on my travel list, but perhaps...

Naturegirl said...

Nina it is so peaceful to walk in unspoiled woods and explore as you've done. Your first paragraph defines perfectly being there!Love this post!peace to you. anna

FAB said...

Thanks for introducing me to the wild nature beneath your feet. FAB.

Marie said...

Love this blog, your words as much as your images. A Michigan native I enjoy seeing others discover what a beautiful and diverse state this is. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

It feels good to stop by here after writing about the situation with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. So much calmer here, like a dip in a cool creek on a hot summer day.

robert said...

Like what I've seen on your blog. Thanks for sharing! Good job.

Kathie Brown said...

Nina, trust you to see the tiny and delicate. Love the dwaft iris and am baffled by the "bastard toadflax" name! (BTW, the spammers are hitting me hard also. Is there nothing that can be done?)

sebi_2569 said...

nice blog;and nice photo;bravo

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Limber honeysuckle - I've missed ever noticing it if we have it growing here in the mid-ohio valley. I'll have to pay more attention.
nellie