Friday, April 26, 2013

Sanguinaria canadensis



Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)


To me, this wildflower truly marks a turning point.

Yes, we may get more snow.

Yes, I was still burning wood around the clock until two days ago.

(And I considered lighting a fire last night. And the night before.)

But in my mind, there is no turning back now.

As of Wednesday, when the first bloodroot appeared

like magic - as it always does -

it is Spring.
~~~~~

14 comments:

  1. second weekend of May we'll have blackberry winter; probably another snow and I am so sick of winter. there. sorry to have a bad attitude but I am tired, so tired of being cold.

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    1. I certainly understand how you feel! Winter does seem to be lingering this year. But for me, the continuing cold has been more than offset by the delayed arrival of the biting insects. I got my first black fly bites today, so the luxury of hours hanging out in the "nursery" paddock is probably at an end. Probably sounds terribly lazy, but I've enjoyed every moment!

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  2. For us, it's the hummingbirds. We know that we will still get snow (and everyone will keep their hummingbird feeders thawed and ready) but that's the turning point here. They arrived yesterday.

    Beautiful flowers. I'm so glad that spring is on the way!

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    1. I thoroughly cleaned my hummingbird feeder this morning, and it will be hung outside tomorrow! Usually I wait til I see a hummingbird, but this year, the first arrival won't have to hover at my window, waiting for me to reassemble the feeder.

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  3. Quinn, that's one gorgeous flower. Hope warmer weather for you is here to stay. It can't make up it's mind here either. We had upper 70's last week and tomorrow it's going to be back in the 60's. But at least that's warm enough to sustain the geraniums I planted a couple days ago. Love, love flowers! Have a great weekend.

    ~Laurie

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    1. I indulged in some pansy plants when I was at the feed store last week, but have been afraid to plant them outside. Maybe this weekend!

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  4. Stunning plant - almost like a water lily flower. Is it at all edible?

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    1. Not edible - its value to humans (at least this human) is in its delicate beauty.
      in fact I think the root may be toxic, although the name just refers to the color of the root. I'm trying to get a series of shots at different times of day, so I can write a better bloodroot post. It really is an amazing and unique plant :)

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  5. I can't even imagine that there would be snow anywhere when our temperatures have reached 100 already. Thankfully, it hasn't been so bad with all the walking I've been doing and mornings/evenings are still comfortable. Sure wish we had wildflowers like that around here. :) Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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  6. I haven't seen blood root since I lived in the Ozarks!

    Regarding milk goiter, the other article at the Maryland Small Ruminant Metabolic diseases page, that was of help, was Milk Goiter in Goat Kids which had good information. It mentioned a 1988 study, likely the same one your vet pulled up. The conclusion is that milk goiter is part of the maturing of the immune system in young mammals and therefore a good thing. Since Alphie is otherwise healthy and happy, I decided not to worry about it and wait and see what happens after he's weaned. I hope that helps!

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  7. The small signs in nature are so welcome, aren't they? I look for coltsfoot, then bloodroot. And listen for the whippoorwill, watch for the red-wing blackbird and the disappearance of the juncoes. Then I know we're home free, and frost will not likely come again.

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  8. What a beautiful flower! I wish I was more "in-tune" with the seasons. I just seem to bumble along and suddenly notice the sun is shining and there are leaves on the trees! I'm very unobservant! Lucy xx

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  9. Such a beautiful flower, for me here in the UK it is the cowslips that shout 'it's spring' - increasingly rare but a very welcome sight (I saw my first clumps on Sunday)

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    1. I took a photo of Caltha palustris (known here as "marsh marigolds") this morning, and when I looked them up, discovered that they are "sometimes called cowslips"! I've never heard that name used for this plant, and I doubt they are the cowslips you refer to!
      One interesting piece of wikipedia lore: Caltha palustris is "probably" one of the most ancient native plants in the UK! Hands across the water ;)

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