Fringed Polygala At Last

Traditionally in this part of NYS, Fringed poylgala is associated with Mother's Day.  This year the weather has been beyond harsh resulting in delayed appearance of green growth.  Yesterday's generous rainfall instantly made a widespread difference.  Leaves and flowers appeared where previously there had been little growth.  Our previous check for these flower's appearance found nothing.  Thinking that the rain may have drawn these plants out sent us back to our woods.  Initially nothing was found.  The marking stick previously placed alongside of where this plant had grown pointed to nothing.  Nearby a recent fallen section of tree covered another known location for this plant.

Not ready to give up the search, a route was found around more fallen tree branches to an area where in year's past this plant had been seen.  Initially nothing was found.  Then one spot of the characteristic purple color became visible followed by seeing many more.

We had previously successfully transplanted Fringed polygala to our shade garden.  All went well for several years when other native plants moved in.  The broad green leaves, one holding a white flower bud, seen in this photo is Canada Mayflower.  A nearby section of forest contains only trees and this native invader.  There all other native plants have been crowded out.  That was the same fate of our transplants.  We never knowingly moved Canada Mayflower into our garden but it soon made its presence known.  We lost each and every Polygala to this brute.

 

This photo shows just how crowded woodland soil can become.  In the lower right corner next to a long brown stick, Polygala leaves fill a single vertical stem.  A similar plant is just behind the flowerless stem.  The nearby double flowers have bent their stem.  This is without a doubt a crowded neighborhood.

 

Little has been found about this plant and what we encounter is sometimes contradictory.  It is generally accepted that seed formation occurs in  never open flower just below the soil surface.  The function of these open flowers remains mostly unanswered.  Today an internet visit to Native Plant Trust Go Botany revealed twin seed pods positioned where the two horizontal flower petals can now be seen.  We will mark the location of this plant with a florescent red flag so that we can find it when its flowers are past.  The possibility of seeds is exciting.  We have vowed to never again dig this plant.  We discovered that each stem grows from a horizontal close to the surface root.  Nutrition is found by the vertical tap root of some size.  It that tap root is not intact, the transplant will die.  The possibility of seeds above ground is simply wonderful. 

Cleistogamous Found

This picture was posted in May.  Fringed polygala is the name of this elusive native wildflower.  We previously lost a large patch that grew impressively from a transplant.  Invaders finished it and we have not been able to move this plant since.

There is some question if the brightly colored blossom plays any part in the production of seed.  This developing seed pod at ground level has no connection to the May flower.  This is the first time that we have been able to find this secondary never opening flower that produces self pollinated seed.  Now we shall attempt to follow this treasure intending to discover when the seed ripens.  This tiny plant is across the lane but we have permission to meddle here.

We have followed this plant for several years.  It displays a more mature stem with several leaves.  It is highly likely that the pictured flower grew on this plant.  At this point in time we have found the locations of two cleistogamous seed pods.  If we can follow developments here, seed will be planted in our shade garden within sight of the highway when the time is right.  An important first step has been taken but much more investigation needs to follow if we are to see a successful move.

 This photo shows newly forming flowers on the more common Partridgeberry.  Aside from the two flowers joined at the base intending to form a single seed carrying berry, this plant will help us remember when Polygala begins its possibly summer long process of making viable seed.

Finally Fringed Polygala Blossoms

In our area Mother's Day is associated with Fringed polygala for those who even know of this plants existence.  We appeared here on that day but could find no trace of this plant.  This is what we found five days later.  The promise of seeing one of our favorite native plants then seemed highly likely.

Today we returned to this woodland rock and were delighted to find open flowers.  Their visible structure is certainly unique.  John Burroughs described them as looking like a flock of tiny purple butterflies that had gathered on the forest floor.  In addition to the unusual appearance, these blossoms play no part in producing seed.  These are exclusively for beauty while another plain appearing flower, located just at or slightly below the forest floor, is responsible for setting seed.  Cleistogamous is the name assigned to this rather unusual method of reproduction.  Violets also reproduce in this manner.  In their case, I believe that the reproductive flowers appear much later than the beautiful blossoms.  Perhaps we will look for Polygala seeds later in the year.

Many Mother's Days have been spent searching for this plant.  Its flower is certainly different looking but I had never previously seen the beak protruding in the direction of the spiked sphere.  

 

This plant is located on the other side of the lane leading up to the field that is totally separate from the rest of the original farm.  We were pleased to find additional plants growing nearby as this is a rare native plant and we do not want to see it disappear. 

 

Trifecta

It is common for fantastic natural sightings to unfold so rapidly that no photograph is possible.  That was the case today when two special events happened right before my eyes.  I was mowing at the time so no camera was even with me to endure the vibrations of tending long abandoned pasture.  On a single pass heading toward the remains of our bedrock ridge, two birds were seen.  A wild turkey flew over me and landed on land much like what is shown in the photo.  Turkeys find it difficult to fly preferring to walk.  This ground near the ridge is rough beyond description with huge chunks of rock interspersed with lumpy ground and standing water.  The turkey fed on dry ground nearest to the ridge and may have flown there to avoid getting wet.

Ingeborg and husband Rudy emigrated to NYC from Germany between the two World Wars.  Rudy was a skilled carpenter making a good living in the city.  When accumulated money was sufficient they found land upstate that was more to their liking.  On one of their trips to the land, they saw their first Indigo Bunting.  So thrilled with the sight of this iridescent bright blue bird, Rudy began building bird houses placing them about on their new land.  Several of these birdhouses now serve on our land.  This morning on the same pass with the mower that featured the turkey, a male Indigo Bunting also flew from the pasture to the woods behind our pond.  Watching it disappear into the forest was a rare thrill.  Every sighting of this bird brings to the surface memories of two people that helped us develop a lasting relationship with the natural world.

The flowers in the photo are Marsh Marigolds purchased and placed here last year.  It appears this this location suits them and I avoided a possible fall into a muddy ditch by buying potted plants.

   

We have a long history with Fringed Polygala having both successfully transplanted this rare treasure then watched it die when overrun by fiercely aggressive native plants.  Traditionally, flowers are open on Mother's day but this year's weather slowed the plants appearance.  We returned to the forest once again searching for this plant.  The flower buds have yet to open so we will return, possibly daily, to see these unusual and beautiful flowers.  The spade like leaf in the lower right corner of the picture is Canada Mayflower one of the aggressive plants that ended our otherwise wildly successful transplant.   
 

Still Here Waiting For Spring

2020 is a year that I never expected to see.  In 2005 cancer was found on both kidneys.  I found in Albany a skilled doctor that used two procedures that removed only the cancer.  88% of my original kidney mass remains.  I have truly enjoyed the past fifteen years doing what I love.

This native  moss was moved this past year from our woods to our developing shade garden.  Only recently have we discovered the magic of mosses.  So far winter seems to have had no effect on these plants or the moss covering the rocks that define the walking path.

The day before the moving van was scheduled to snatch Steve and Elaine away, I was given one last chance to make some of their plants mine.  There is nothing appealing about the name slime mold but that day was a now or never situation.  Once home some quick reading resulted in placing well rotted wood in the acid soil previously lifted from our woods.  It may be that the pink spheres are reproductive organs.  They swell in response to moisture and nearly disappear when dry.  The grayish green blobs are the body of the mold.  Sumac berries are the deep red balls.  It appears that this slime mold intends to survive in its new location and we will carefully weed out any tiny trees that grow from the red berries.

This photo contains two recent transplants, wintergreen and arbutus, as well as a jumble of fallen plant parts.  The maroon colored leaves belong to wintergreen as do two red berries located at the junction of its top two leaves.  All of the other red berries are sumac.  Green leaves mark the location of arbutus.  These plants were hastily placed here on moving day.  Fortunately acid woodland soil was already in place.  Just what to do with these treasures is presently under consideration.  Our usual habit is to segregate our transplants but this looks like a more natural placement. An unseen wire cage keeps the wildlife from eating these still growing plants.  These native plants will serve as a reminder of the debt owed these two people for all that they have done for us.  Extra care will be given to keep these plants alive.

This does not look like much but it may hold great promise.  Disregard the sumac berries and find the reddish stem that still holds a leaf.  Fringed polygala has a history here.  Invasive native plants ended what had been a highly successful transplant.  Last spring we tried again.  This plant is still alive under its protective wire cage.  Just at the soil surface is the cleistogamous  flower that produces only seed.  Here we have two chances for a surviving plant.  Most people would never see the promise of a possible native plant returning here.  Check back around Mother's Day to see if the paired purple flower petals are on display here.

Frost Warning

NOAA has warned of frost for tonight all week.  Their sensors for our area are located at the Binghamton airport with our temperatures usually running four degrees colder than forecast.  If that holds, we will see temperatures in the mid twenties tonight.  Cleaning up basil, pepper and tomato plants that been frozen and frosted is unpleasant.  We avoid handling that black slime by removing these plants before the cold hits them.

Our gardens will not be totally wiped out tonight.  Many of our plants will take the freeze without damage.  Fringed polygala is evergreen so it will take tonight's freeze in stride.  The pictured plant is among several transplanted from our woods earlier this year.  Its leaves will survive the winter and supply nourishment early next spring while the plant sends out new leaves.  This plant grows two types of flowers.  Beautiful purple butterfly like flowers float above the ground while the seed producing flower is active nearly underground.  That tiny green dot where the stem enters the ground may prove to be a new plant.  Polygala dies without warning so we are eagerly waiting to see if they will survive being moved and appear here next year.

Herb Robert, the H is silent, came here uninvited in with a potted plant of another variety purchased at Catskill Native Nursery.  Many of the early spring native woodland plants complete their above ground growing cycle before the trees leaf out.  That results in wide patches of barren ground for the remainder of the year.  We are considering allowing Herb Robert to widely spread across ground that will also send up Trillium, Bloodroot and Jack In The Pulpit.  It may be that the special plants can easily manage being inter planted with this lasting spot of green.  It is shallowly rooted and easy to remove.  We will watch and perhaps learn.

The tag identifies this Foamflower as a purchased plant.  It also grows in our back woods with several of our plants growing nearby.  Familiar weeds are also neighbors and that dandelion really needs to go.  One of our transplants has sent out impressively sized runners.  We will see just what spring will bring us with regard to these plants.  We do not expect that tonight's frost will end the growing season for Foamflower.

We moved Summersweet and Cardinal Flower to the western edge of the new shade garden this year.  The new rosettes of Cardinal Flower are evergreen and will continue to grow under the snow.  Each single stalked plant is producing several new plants around the base of the old soon to die stem.  We expect to see the brilliant red Cardinal Flowers growing among the white flowered Summersweet next summer.  If these plants survive next spring's fierce changeable weather, the combination of red and white flowers should be amazing.  It is interesting that the coming death by freezing tonight has us looking at plants that will take it without harm.  In some instances attitude is everything.

What A Difference A Day Makes

I guess I thought I might have to title this post "The Morning After" like the title of some doomsday movie.  Transplanting native wildflowers is tricky and often ill advised.  The plants were in a spot where they were being crowded out by other plants or would be squished by truck tires.  Permission of the landowner was granted since both Ed and I agreed that the move should be made. We must have been a sight while we were soaking large soil clumps in water and carefully searching for the delicate roots of the plants.  It was raining slightly.  Working without gloves with mud up to our elbows, we soaked the clumps in water.  As soon as a few were worked free, Ed planted them immediately.  We finished the Starflower first.  Ed watered them well.  That was yesterday.  This is how the Starflower looks this morning.

Behold a Starflower  plant standing tall. It's two delicate white flowers looking terrific complete with yellow pollen and a visiting pollinator.  Whew!  Do we feel better!

 This Polygala was worked free of the woodland soil tangle with an impressively long piece of root.  If a break occurred, it happened when the soil block was pulled from the ground.  Polygala develops an underground flower that produces seed.  The taller stem has unusual growth at the soil line that may well become cleistogamous flowers.

 
Our own mix of woodland soil was added to the existing ground after the leaf mulch was pushed aside.  Carefully the roots were placed horizontally in this soft soil.  Gentle compaction helped some of the plants return to an upright position while others needed the addition of leaf mulch.

We were somewhat surprised at the number of plants that were somewhat hidden if the forest soil.  All but one were intact enough to plant.  We were hopeful that some of these treasures may live in their new home.

We were shocked to find these flowers looking like they did yesterday before they were yanked from the ground.  This picture was taken before this mornings watering washed the litter from the leaves.  The condition of this transplant has me looking forward to winter so that we can see if these plants appear next spring.

Our Walk In The Woods

Our day started this morning with a trip to the back meadow intending to clear a fallen section of a White Pine tree that was blocking part of the mowed meadow.  With that task completed, a short walk to check on our now officially wild Cardinal Flower seemed in order.  We have a survivor with no help from people.  An additional walk into the forest seemed like the only thing to do.  Glacier ground ridge rock in all sizes litters this forest floor.  Beauty is everywhere.  Plants here must be left alone since the stony soil prevents their removal.

This wild Jack In The Pulpit is close to the first Trillium that we have ever seen in this section of our woods.  A stately Red Trillium was a welcome surprise.  Invasive Garlic Mustard is far less welcome and we feel compelled to remove it whenever it is encountered.

Purple-pink winged flowers are what we wanted to see.  Little is written about Fringed Polygala and its culture is difficult.  These dainty plants are in the company of rather nasty neighbors and their long term survival here is in doubt.  The large oval leaves and the white cluster of flower buds mark the presence of Wild lily-of-the-valley.  It is a horribly invasive native and will choke out nearby plants.  Escaped pasture grass is also in the picture and it is unclear which will ultimately reign in this area.  What is apparent is that the polygala is being strangled here.

A long pry bar aided the removal of clumps of this ground.  This was no easy task as roots from nearby bushes helped to hold the soil in place.  Each  soil block was placed in a container of water.  Swishing around that mass aided in the gentle removal of all parts of the weeds.  Intact civilized plants was our goal.  We accept the possible outcome that nothing will survive the move but we cannot risk placing these invaders into our shade garden.

These Starflowers could survive their move since complete root masses remained with the rest of the transplant.  Delicate accurately describes every part of these plants.  Our hope is that enough of the plants remains functional enabling a return next year.  Their pointed white flowers are quite attractive and a sizable patch would be a welcome addition to our collection of native plants.
 

The outcome with the polygala is far less certain.  We had a past experience where several plants with horizontal roots were connected to a single deep taproot.  Despite our caution today, only plants with the horizontal root were removed.  The web of forest soil is so tight that deep clumps are impossible to remove.  We did our best and these plants have been added to the list of transplants that will receive water nearly every rainless day.  Any survivors here will be treasured while those left behind in the woods should persist for the time that we will remain here.

Mother's Day Wildflowers

Yesterday our annual Mother's Day search in the woods for Fringed polygala was called on account of rain.  Finding them a day later was still a wonderful discovery!  They grow close to the ground and  are less than three inches tall. This make the polygalas a tiny treasure  for us to search for and find.  Ed saw them first.  For some reason it is very hard to see the first one, but after you become aware of their presence you can see  the whole patch.  It was not a large group, but enough to make us very happy!

Still wet with water droplets from yesterday's rain these tiny little wildflowers take my breath away!   They mean more to me than any hot house orchid ever could.

I was delighted to see a still unopened bud.  That means I can enjoy the flowers for a little bit longer!

It seem like it is getting harder and harder to find a patch of these purple beauties. The flowers we found today have a lot of competition  from grasses and speedwell that have crept in from nearby fields.  It is not really practical to try to weed a patch of wildflowers in the woods, but I am sure Ed will make a special place and move a few plants from the edge of the patch to a perfect spot where they may have a chance to thrive!  He has transplanted them before with great results.   I'm sure he can do it again!

Native Invaders

On May 12th we were enjoying the bizarrely structured flowers displayed by our transplanted fringed polygala.  Trout lily also intrigues us and at first we were pleased to see it growing with the polygala. Canada mayflower was also moving in and its numbers seemed excessive.  Polygala is an easily displaced plant and we reluctantly reached the conclusion that the invaders had to go.  Weeding here required the summoning of all the courage we could muster.  Wishing to avoid damaging the tender one we finally moved in with delicate force.

If John Burroughs had seen a trout lily in this configuration, he would have had no difficulty in seeing how this plant placed its bulb several inches deep into the soil.  Soon new bulbs would have formed at the tips of the white roots.  One plant would have become three in a single year.  Quickly the trout lily would have crowded out the polygala.

A firm but gentle tug removed many invaders with their roots intact.  The free hand was used to hold the surrounding soil and stems in place to limit the impact on the polygala.  Weeds whose roots broke off may return but so will the determined weeder.

The bright light green leaves are new polygala growth.  A generous soaking with a watering can followed the weeding.  The tilted new growth will have to right itself since no way to help in the tangle could be found.  An unbroken stem has a good chance to straighten itself.  We continue to water here frequently and the polygala is now showing more new growth.  Carefully tending native wild flowers seems to be filled with basic contradictions.  Polygala is disappearing from our woods and intervention to try to save it seemed to be the only course.  Two daughter plants have appeared near the transplant but we can find no information defining a preferred location where this treasure can make it on its own.  For now they will remain where they are presently growing.

Shade Garden Plus One

Fringed polygala is the pink flower that has had its spot in the shade garden invaded by other wildflowers.  Tattered evergreen leaves turned purplish by winter's rigors belong to the polygala.  Light bright green leaves mark the location of the invading Canada Mayflower.  Trout lily's brown spots have lightened to grayish white on the darker pointed green leaves.  Clover like three leaves belong to freely self seeding columbine.  Careful weeding is scheduled when the polygala presents its new leaves.  It is the chosen plant and this space belongs only to it.

The number of trillium bulbs we have purchased is shamefully large.  Three new ones just arrived and they will be added nearby.  We want a large display of this native treasure and persist in our efforts to have it here.  They need several years to make themselves at home in our garden and patience on our part is necessary.

This clove currant grows near the shade garden.  When it is in flower, the scent of cloves is carried on the wind for a great distance.  Going about our work, we frequently walk into a sweet smelling drift of  spicy air.  This plant makes this time of year here pleasant beyond description.

Quaker ladies grow as an invasive lawn weed if conditions are to its liking.  Abundant moisture seems to a requirement.  Our several attempts to grow this plant in our dry soil always result in the plant's slow decline.  This specimen self seeded in a crack at the top of the stone wall.  Located on the outer edge of the garden it benefits from frequent supplemental watering.

This bleeding heart is an alien plant here.  Native to another part of the world it is out of place in our wildflower garden.  A longer time in flower and its compact size make this plant a winner.

Maidenhair fern is among Becky's favorites.  Fallen trees in our woods have prevented us from visiting this plant in its natural surroundings here.  This is another native plant that is slow to establish itself following transplanting.  Fearing that it did not survive, we purchased it in two consecutive years.  Both plantings eventually took hold and we now have easy access to this beautiful, delicate, lacy fern.

Jack in the pulpit is a must have because of its unusual structure.  Late frosts have ended the flowering cycle in the past while the plant persists.  Frost is forecast for tonight and covering buckets are now nearby. The red seed clusters are well worth seeing so we will try to keep the frost away from these plants.  Wild or cultivated, alien or Native, plants these days need a little help from their friends to get through Mother Nature's mood swings!

Forest Floor Springs To Life

It seems that snow cover was deep and continuous just a few days ago.  Unseasonable early warmth ended the snow quickly and perennial plants are now rapidly appearing.  Shooting star was purchased from cultivated stock several years ago.  Apparently foraging rodents have no taste for it as the emerging bright green shoots are numerous.  Its dried stalks were allowed to drop seed at will so we will be looking for more of these close by.   The three leaved plant is a wild columbine that grows here like a weed.  Its numbers will have to be kept in check.

Fringed polygala is evergreen but at this time of year its leaves are reddish.  The green leaves speckled with brown are new.  Trout lilies corms were inadvertently moved with the polygala and they are also highly prized.  We will see no lily flowers until each plant presents two leaves.  A number of years must pass as the corm reforms itself deeper and deeper in the soil each year.  Expecting no flowers yet, we were thrilled just to see the single leaves.  Another look is needed to see if we have twins yet.

Aconite frequently blooms while surrounded by snow.  This year the depth of the snow cover held the plant dormant until the snow was gone.  Clear bright yellow flowers like this lift my spirits now.

This bleeding heart has been modified from its natural wild form.  More compact and covered with deep bright flowers, we find it to be an improvement over its close by wild cousin.  The dark green oval leaves belong to a weed that remained unseen because of its early appearance.

This squirrel corn remains despite its inadvertent disturbance several years ago.  Now Becky is called in to closely watch my weeding activities here early in the season.

Many of these plants are woodland natives but appear here in our artificial shade garden.  A single locust tree provides both the shade and the fallen leaves and stems.  We will complete the filling of the wild shade garden with natural soil washed from the woods and diverted into a collection area near the lane.  The more demanding wild flowers will be replanted in this more natural soil.