The Trillium Trilogy...epilogue

Might as well rename this blog to "Trillium and Friends." I can't seem to stop finding Trillium that I want to photograph and share. Each one changes its color in its own style.

These photos were taken on April 23 in Jackson Demonstration State Forest, on Rd. 409.

One of these things is not like the others...

Here it is, folks, evolution in action! This one violet showed off a mutation, or maybe just a rarely expressed trait, of white and yellow splotchy petals. That's how garden varieties are created - one little natural variation amplified by breeding. It's fun to see such a variation in nature, especially in a species that normally sports a multitude of remarkably identical flowers. Just goes to show, even the flowers you see every day can be interesting all over again.

These photos taken on April 16 in Little River, Ca.

Trillium Revisited, Again

Just another shot of trillium flowers doing their turning pink thing.

April 16

Delphinium

It doesn't get bluer than this. Delphinium (Larkspur) is a toxic and beautiful genus that comes in many colors, but this is my favorite. They're captivating, ay? I couldn't pass this up, though it was growing on a steep grassy slope by the highway (near Wages creek north of Westport) that had no shoulder. Had to perch on the slope to get the photo and stay clear of traffic. The way I was angled, I guess it looked like I was photographing passing motorists, because a lady slowed down and whined out the window, "what the hell are you taking pictures of?!" "The flower," I pointed. "Oh," she said, seeming relieved. And off she went.

Delphinium decorum? April 5.

Trillium Goes Pink

I already covered Trillium a few weeks ago, but I can't help taking more pics, now that they're changing color. They start out porcelain white and gradually become pink, then almost purple as they senesce. It's a beautiful way to age.

These photos taken in Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Fort Bragg on April 10.

And now for your moment of Zen...

Illegal trash dumping is rampant on public lands. Yuck! The discarded child's toys are the eeriest of the dejected items. However, simply place mauled teddy bear beside a blooming trillium, and voila! A lovely still life!

Calypso Orchids

Calypso orchids, or fairyslippers, (Calypso bulbosa) are the most commonly seen Orchid around here. I saw a patch of about 100 of them along Little River Airport road, in a shady, mossy spot - the most I've seen in one area.

Orchidaceae is the plant family second in line for highest number of species (next to Asteraceae), and its species are found all over the world. The orchid family is most diverse in the tropics, where around 1/3 the world's species live. Here in this county we've got a pretty good couple o' handfuls, with about 2 dozen species. Six of the of those are rare species. Be conscious that calypso orchids, though not uncommon, are not capable of handling much disturbance, so they should be treated as though they were. Although the tuber like corms underground are said to be edible, its not advised they be foraged upon since it doesn't do the plant populations any good to root around in their substrate. And I've read they don't transplant well either.

These orchids are bent over backward to orient their one large modified petal (labellum) downward, as a platform for pollinators. Having one modified petal is characteristic of the Orchid family. And the sepals are petal look-alikes, making the flowers even more conspicuous.

Also characteristic of Orchids is their specialized relationships with their pollinators. Calypso orchids are pollinated by queen bumblebees. The insect is lured into exploring the flower by the hairs at the opening to the flower that look like anthers, and the forked structures that resemble nectaries. But they're deceived, as no nectar is produced by this flower.

These photos are from April 2.

PS: on the same day, I saw what could be the first rhododendron blooms. In the pygmy forest along Little River airport Road, the whole forest goes pink by Mid-may, but at the moment they're still bare - except for this one little bush with one inflorescence hiding behind the fence at the County Airport.

Evergreen violet

Evergreen violets (Viola sempervirens) are numerous in the woods these days, in the redwoods as well as the bishop pines, and edges of the pygmy forest. They're small flowers - not much larger than a nickel.

Violets are edible and are high in vitamins C and A. Fresh blooms are nice to garnish a salad. Violets can also be candied and used as a cake decoration but I don't know if this is a particularly palatable species...I haven't tried it yet.

Compare the evergreen violets above to the stream violet (Viola glabella) to the right. The evergreen violet's leaves are much smaller (no larger than the flowers usually), and a bit leathery.

V. sempervirens photos taken April 2, near the Little River Airport.