Monday, March 24, 2008

Spring Proceeds Despite the Cold Weather



My outdoor thermometer read 52 at 5:00 p.m. this evening when I arrived home from work. Not exactly bone chilling, but we've only had two spring days break 60 degrees this spring. Last year at this time, I was photographing the open blooms of wildlflowers in Kenney Park. This year, nothing is blooming, yet. We'll have one warm day, and up will come a floral bonanza. Still, it is difficult to wait. The two most notable green plants popping up along the Olentangy this spring are Allium canadense (as pictured above), wild onion, and the non-native invasive Ranunculus ficaria, or lesser celandine.

This plant is up in its full glory, and it will be only a matter of days before its yellow blossoms carpet the floodplain. Plants that make it to invasive status usually exclude all other plants from growing and become ridiculously dense. Lesser celandine is no exception-look how it carpets the floodplain along the river. It really prefers this habitat, as it has not made its way up onto the stream terrace adjacent to the river.



At work I'm increasingly becoming involved with the management of non-native invasive species. Its a challenge, but knowing the invasive non-natives in your area, and avoiding planting these species is extremely important. You can get more information about Ohio's Invasive Plants at the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves invasive species information page.

Tom

12 comments:

  1. I love your optimism. Of course, you're not staring out at 6 inches of SNOW! (Toledo) Argggghh.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cathy- Yes, how quickly I forget the snow after I left it at my parent's house. Just think how the little buds are popping up underneath the leaf litter! Don't worry, the snow WILL melt this year, I promise.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tom, I have been involved in the Western New York Prism that is being organized. Invasives are something we all need to be aware of!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Argh. Nothing green here, yet. I'm dying for spring. I have a garage full of seeds, plants, trees, etc., just waiting to get out in the yard!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like your picture and your explanation of the plants. I have something we commonly call "wild onion" which is about 4-8 inches tall but often taller and it comes up in clumps. I usually use something to dig up the bulbs but always miss one or two so they keep coming back. I don't mind the battle but wonder if these have any value -- perhaps as a substitute for onions?

    Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am ready for spring! Last year was MUCH warmer at this time...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow...Such lovely photos lately! Nice to see your area less white & more green these days, too. Let's hear it for Spring! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. An interesting posting. I saw my first spring blooms this weekend when I was down on the Connecticut shoreline. They are about three weeks ahead of the area where I live, so soon... I hope!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tom-

    I heard Meg Wilkinson from New York Natural Heritage Program (I work for Ohio Natural Heritage Program) give a talk about the PRISMS in New York. Sounds like you guys have your stuff together out there.

    Moe- Suffering here in Ohio as well!

    Abe- Thank you. I'm not sure which plant you have, maybe you could send me a picture? It could be that you have chives, they can be pretty weedy as well. Both Allium canadense and Allium schoenoprasum are onions and could be used as food-like an onion- theoretically. I haven't tried them at all, and I even found a website that cautioned against eating Allium canadense, and that it was also potentially harmful for dogs. It is really hard to get edible plant information that is reliable.

    Megan- Ahh, yes, and then we had that nasty frost that killed the apple crop. Even though the wait is difficult to say the least, perhaps a slow arriving spring will be better in the long run, giving us a more intense spring wildflower bloom.

    Linda- Ahh, Connecticut. I've not spent much time in that state! It makes sense that the climate would be more moderate on the coast. Sooner or later, we'll all have blooming flowers popping up both in our yards and natural areas.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lana- I bet that during late springs like these that you aren't missing the Northeast!

    Tom

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." (Doug Larson)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Marvin-

    That quote should be very helpful for many of us.

    Tom

    ReplyDelete