Nature Net News
April 2005
Wildflower Power
"April
hath put a spirit of youth in everything."
William Shakespeare
| Dear
Readers,
They're there if you look hard enough. Those tiny jewels of the spring -- wildflowers! What could be more exciting than discovering those shiny green heads poking up through the leaf dander; a fresh green sprout that promises a burst of bright color after the long winter. Spring wildflowers. They're beautiful, they're delicate, and they'll last only a short time. Be sure to get out and explore your yard and Nature Net sites to see what's blooming, and while you're at it, think about your very own way to celebrate these heralds of spring's return. Kathe
& Betsy |
The Wisconsin State wildflower, the wood violet, has a long history as a food? If you had an equal amount (by weight) of violet leaves and oranges, the violet leaves would have 5 times more vitamin C!
What to do this month:
Watch for
wildflowers blooming in your neighborhood or at an area Nature Net site.
Remember to check in each week for new blooms.
Check out family events at area Nature Net sites!
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
The emergence of
spring flowers is a sure sign of spring. Have your child be the
first to "discover" them in your family. (After all, your
little ones are closer to the ground!) Create a list on the refrigerator door
with names or pictures of flowers that will be emerging. Or, print
and post our page (.pdf) of native Wisconsin woodland wildflowers and mark down
the date and location of each discovery.
Instant
Outdoor Expert:
A scientific understanding
of flowering plants is not necessary for enjoyment. If you wish to
hit the trails with a Wildflower Field Guide, however, it helps to start with
a little terminology. When identifying plants, you can look to the
stem, leaves or fruit to provide information in the plants' identity but
the flower is the easiest tool to use. Flowers, though diverse in color,
shape and size, usually are made up of the following parts: At the base of
the flower is a ring of modified leaves called sepals - these are often
green (like the underbelly of a dandelion). Above the sepals are the
petals - the most showy and fragrant part of the flower. Inside the
petals are the stamens - these are the stalks (or filaments) that stand up
inside the flower and wave delicious-looking pollen grains at passing bumble bees. And in the middle of those stamens are the carpels -
which are often fused together to make a sort of tube (the pistil) - at
the bottom of which awaits a tiny embryo sac, the key to seed and fruit
creation (and next year's bloom of spring wildflowers). Learn more
about the parts of a flower at University of Illinois Extension's The
Great Plant Escape.
Suggested
Reading:
"The
Reason for a Flower" by Ruth Heller
"Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America"
by Kathi Appelt
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Olbrich
Botanical Gardens
Olbrich
Botanical Gardens is a locally treasured and globally renowned source of
beauty and education celebrating the importance of plants in a sustainable
world. Olbrich Botanical Gardens enriches life by nourishing and sharing
the beauty of gardens, the joy of gardening, the knowledge of plants, and
the diversity of our world. Explore the mystery and beauty of nature
at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Stroll through 16 acres of
outdoor display gardens including Olbrich's award-winning Rose Garden and
Thai Pavilion and Garden. Enjoy a tropical paradise year-round
in Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants,
bright flowers, a rushing waterfall, fragrant orchids and free-flying
birds.
Make
a Plant PressAs long as you practice respectful collecting methods - that means pick only where its allowed and take only one of each flower (or grow a pot in your backyard designated for picking) - pressing flowers can be a wonderful way to preserve spring's bright hues.
To make your own plant press, start with two equal size pieces of plywood (or recycled boards) as the top and bottom of your press. With the two boards atop each other, ask a parent to drill a hole through each corner. Thread bolts through the holes and use flat washers and wing nuts to tighten your new flower press. Once you've collected flowers to press, put them between pieces of paper (in yellow on our diagram) and place layers of cardboard above and below. Remember to label your flowers with a date and location, then let them dry 4-6 weeks.
Remember, pressing flowers is only part of the process - there are hundreds of ways to use your preserved bits of spring!
(Nature Craft idea from "Making & Using a Flower Press" by Deborah Tukua)
