The Woodlot (cont.)

After working in the garden this morning, I went for a walk through the woodlot with the intention of identifying some new species and possibly collecting some specimens for pressing and illustration. Within the first half hour, the rain came with full force and being deep in the woods I had to find cover under the trees.


I checked on the "Marsh" to get a sense on what was growing near and in it. There are many different types of ferns and mosses that I will be trying to identify in the next few days. I slowly made my way back towards the house, checking in on some of the vernal pools. While meandering through the varied upland landscape with steep ridges, you come across many different basins often filled with water in a small clearing. In these little pockets, the diversity is astounding. I came across a small pool and clearing and observed some high bush blueberry growing along the edges of the pool. 


Witch-hazel, a medicinal plant, is a common sight in the forest. The bark and leaves are an astringent, which means that the chemical compound helps the shrink and contract blood vessels back to normal size. Extracts from the bark and leaves can be used for treating bruises and insect bites (vital for this time of year).

Common Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

I also found another native wildflower blooming next to the pool, starflower. The plant in similar to indian cucumber with a 4-8" stalk and a cluster or whorl of leaves at the top.

Starflower (Trientalis borealis)

This after noon, a had a chat with David about making a herbarium (a collection of plant specimens) which will be an excellent addition to my study here in the woodlot.