Last Saturday we were blessed with wall to wall sunshine and a warm breeze out of the southwest that nudged the thermometer up towards 50 degrees. Even though it isn’t spring it was the perfect spring day, so I went off to see if nature was stirring. A week ago we had below zero cold and this stretch of the Ashuelot River in Swanzey had frozen nearly from bank to bank. As I stood looking out at the river on this day with a warm breeze in my face I wondered if I had dreamed the ice and dangerous cold of just seven days ago, so amazing was the difference.
There were still some slabs of ice on the river but they were melting quickly in the warn sunshine.
Even in the shade of the forest ice was melting, and how the birds did sing!
Even the trees seemed to be in a spring time frame of mind.
I stopped by a local park and saw daffodils out of the ground everywhere I looked.
I also saw some orange vernal witch hazel that was in full bloom. I’m not sure of its name but it was very fragrant and you could smell its fresh clean scent on the breeze. Someone once described witch hazel as smelling like clean laundry that has just been taken down from the clothesline, and I’d say that’s a fair description. After a long winter such a scent can seem like a small piece of heaven, right here on earth.
I hoped to see some yellow witch hazel flowers and I did see some color, but like a swimmer dipping his toe into a cold pond it hesitated, and just couldn’t seem to make up its mind.
Speaking of cold ponds; there was still ice on Wilson Pond in Swanzey but it too was melting fast. This is the first winter I can remember when ice fisherman’s huts didn’t dot our lakes and ponds, but this year the ice just never grew thick enough to be safe. If we still lived in the days before refrigeration when ice was harvested from ponds for ice houses and ice boxes, we’d be seeing a meager harvest indeed. Food preservation would be on everyone’s mind right about now, I would think.
I also visited one of my favorite places to explore in the spring, and that’s the swamp where the skunk cabbages grow.
It seems like I always have to re-train my eyes in spring so it took me a while to find any skunk cabbages (Symplocarpus foetidus.) I finally saw this small blue-gray finger poking up out of the snow, which told me that the plants were up. I also stepped on a couple of plants that I didn’t see and they released their scent so I’d know what I had done. It isn’t as overpowering as actual skunk spray but it runs a close second.
The soil of the swamp felt frozen to walk on but even so before long I started seeing skunk cabbages everywhere. They don’t mind frozen soil because they produce their own heat through a process called thermogenesis, and can melt their way even through solid ice. Skunk cabbage is in the arum family and like most arums, inside the spathe is the spadix, which in the case of skunk cabbage is a one inch round, often pink or yellow stalked flower head from which the small flowers emerge. The flowers don’t have petals but do have four yellowish sepals. You can just get a glimpse of them in this photo in the darkest area of the spathe. This is the spathe’s slit-like opening and is the way flies get to the flower’s pollen. The pointed green shoot on the left will become the plant’s foliage.
I didn’t have any trouble finding the invasive Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) because it was snagging my pants and poking its sharp spines into my legs every now and then. In 1875 seeds of Japanese barberry were sent from Russia to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1896 plants were planted at the New York Botanic Garden and the plant was promoted as a good substitute for European barberry (Berberis vulgaris,) which was a host for the black stem rust of wheat. These days it’s everywhere, including in our forests, where it tolerates shade and crowds out our much more valuable native plants.
I saw an interesting television program recently about Ötzi the 5000 year old iceman whose well preserved body was found in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. Among the many things he carried were birch polypores (Piptoporus betulinus,) a fungus that is so common even I rarely write about it. But I’d heard years ago that he carried them when he was found and I assumed that he used them to sharpen tools (They are also called razor strops and their ability to hone a steel edge is well known.) but apparently Ötzi carried them for other purposes; scientists have recently found that Ötzi had several heath issues, among them whipworm, which is an intestinal parasite (Trichuris trichura,) and birch polypores are poisonous to them. The fungus also has antiseptic properties and can be used to heal small wounds, which I’m sure were common 5000 years ago.
Well, now I’ve done it. While looking into the connection between the 5000 year old iceman and birch polypores I read that as they age both the fungi and the wood they grow on begin to take on an odor similar to green apples, so if you happen to see someone out there with his nose to a birch tree, it’ll be me. The photo above shows the many pores found on the underside of the birch polypore. This is where its spores are produced.
Ötzi the iceman probably knew the name and medicinal value of every mushroom he saw but I don’t, especially when it comes to the little brown ones, because there are many that look alike. I was surprised to find these examples growing on a log in February. I thought they were probably frozen solid but they were perfectly pliable and felt as tough as shoe leather. I wondered if they had been there all winter or if they had grown recently. Whatever the answer they must have great cold tolerance.
The snow had melted away from the trunk of this tree revealing turkey tails (Trametes versicolor) that have waited patiently for spring. These fungi are wood degrading and cause white rot, so this rather small tree won’t see old age. Turkey tails have been found on over 70 species of hardwood trees and a few conifers as well. They grow in every state in the U.S. and in most other countries.
These small turkey tails on a stump looked to be just starting to grow, but what a strange time of year to be doing so.
A fern frond had what looked like flower petals on it, but whatever they were didn’t fall off when the wind blew. I’m guessing that they must have been some kind of insect cocoons but they were very flat and thin. I can’t remember ever seeing anything like them.
These oak buds appeared to be quite swollen, but that might have been wishful thinking on my part. Still, maple sap is running so the same must be happening to other trees.
The single bud scales of what I think is the American pussy willow (Salix discolor) have suddenly opened to reveal the fuzzy gray male catkins, but I shouldn’t be surprised because they almost always appear in late winter before the leaves. As these flowers age yellow stamens will appear and will begin releasing pollen. The bees will be buzzing at about that time and they will further cross pollinate the many willow varieties. Henry David Thoreau once said “The more I study willows, the more I am confused,” but I don’t need to study them. I just enjoy seeing their early flowers because they tell me that nature is stirring and spring is very near.
It was such a spring day as breathes into a man an ineffable yearning, a painful sweetness, a longing that makes him stand motionless, looking at the leaves or grass, and fling out his arms to embrace he knows not what. ~ John Galsworthy
Thanks for coming by.
I think I saw that same programme about the ice man some time ago. It was very interesting and made me think about how much we have lost in terms of our k owl edge of the natural world around us. I’m glad you are seeing signs of Spring.
Yes, it’s just a shame that we’ve lost so much in the way of medicinal plant knowledge, especially.
Spring seems to want to come early this year!
What a difference some sun makes! Despite all your snow and ice your pussy willows are not far behind ours. Ours are just starting to push out the stamens with pollen. Amelia
I’m surprised to hear that. With your warm climate I would’ve guessed that your willows would have been much further along than ours.
A lovely post again…I like the turkey tails but wouldn’t want them in my garden…
Thanks very much Sue. No, you sure don’t want turkey tails on your trees. Or any other fungi for that matter.
Spring is definitely on the way to NH! Though the transition to spring is always has a bit of two steps forward, one step back, as winter is unwilling to go without making a fuss.
Yes, and I think that’s going to be especially true this year.
Seeing little shoots of plants coming out of the frozen ground always seems something of a miracle to me…enjoy spring..
Thank you, I think so too. In fact I wonder if our being here seeing such beauty isn’t a bit of a miracle as well.
I find it fascinating to think about the hit or miss process that early humans went through to discover medicinal uses for plants. Imagine finding the link between birch polypores and whip worm. I wonder if certain (more expendable) people were taster guinea pigs. They must have worked through every kind of fungus, with some unfortunate results.
I agree, and I’ve often wondered who was the first to taste this or that. As you say, probably those who were thought to be expendable, like a captured enemy.
What delightful discoveries on your walk. Saturday was similar weather here in Southern Ontario too.
Thank you Cynthia. I didn’t know that the warmth had made it that far north. Maybe we’re all in for an early spring!
It did for a few days. But I am hoping for an early spring too.
It’s that time of the year when it’s spring one day, winter the next, then back to spring again. A few blossoms on some of the trees have begun opening around here, as have the pussy willows, and then the snowstorm hit. I hope that this one misses you.
I’ve read a few articles about Ötzi the iceman, it’s very interesting what they are learning from their studies. While we’ve made huge strides in technology, we seem to have forgotten what we knew about nature when we had to know those things or perish.
Thanks Jerry! I’m glad you’re seeing signs of spring, even if it is still snowing. I think we got that storm in the form of rain. It poured yesterday!
Ötzi the iceman’s story is one of the most fascinating that I’ve heard. I agree that we’ve lost much knowledge about plants and nature it general. It pains me to think about it!
Those are some damn fine witch hazels! Are they growing in the wild or on a property? We have many rare cultivars at the Arboretum where I work, but these flowers look larger and more colorful by far.
Are those really oak buds near the end? Looks more like Acer saccharum..
The witch hazel grows in a local park called Ashuelot Park. I don’t know the variety but it has plentiful fragrant blossoms each spring. The flowers aren’t any bigger than other witch hazels. That’s a macro photo which was cropped, and I do that so readers can get a good look at the flowers.
Those are oak buds. The tree still had last year’s leaves hanging on, as oaks will do. I agree that it can be hard to tell them apart sometimes.
Amazing, isn’t it, that things can change to rapidly this time of year! I love those witch hazel blossoms. Your plants in general are far ahead of those here.
Yes. I think spring and fall are our most changeable seasons.
That witch hazel is a real beauty that I look forward to seeing each spring.
We’ve had an exceptionally warm winter!
Heartening to see pussywillows and skunk cabbage… spring’s around the corner!
Yes! It looks like I’ve actually made it through a winter without having to shovel my roof. Last winter I was just about camping on it.
🙂 Ain’t over until the fat lady sings! ;-D
Signs and wonders indeed! What a perfect post to bring Spring a little farther along. The witch hazel is spectacular and I always enjoy your banter about how and why things grow as they do. Ah, pussy willows are my favorite.
Thank you Martha. That witch hazel lives in Ashuelot Park in Keene. It’s a beauty!
You should start to see pussy willows everywhere now!
Your weather seems to be very unpredictable this year but at least it is pointing in the right direction. Our spring has ground to a halt for the moment.
Our weather is always unpredictable. There’s an old quote by Mark Twain about it: “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” It’s very true.
I hope spring will find you soon. At least you have the flowers, bare ground, and robins.
I have heard that quote used about the weather in Northern Ireland too.
Maybe Mark Twain visited there too!
These almost-spring days in late winter are so good for the soul and fill us with hope. I love the colours of the vernal witch-hazel – I must find one for my garden. My yellow witch-hazel is in full-flower and looking lovely. We have had quite a few hard frosts in the past few days and the flowers scrunch up and look very sorry for themselves but by mid-morning the frost has disappeared and the flowers have recovered.
Thank you Clare. Yes, there’s nothing like a spring day to remind us how great it is to be alive.
I was surprised to see pink in that witch hazel. I agree, it’s very pretty.
Our native witch hazels bloom in the fall and I’ve seen them even blooming in January, so they can take a lot of cold. As you say, they just fold in their petals until it warms again.
They are tougher than they look!
I was in Middlebury, VT in early February for a weekend. It was unseasonably comfortable; both delightful and welcoming.
You must have missed the cold snap we had!
My niece tells me we got out of Dodge just in time.
I think so. It was cold, but just for a short time.
Seems like spring is well on its way in your area. It was always such a treat as a kid to find the first pussy willows. Took a walk last year with my great niece (age thirteenish) and we saw some huge stalks of them. I commented on my memories, and her only response was, “Interesting name.” Sigh….
Thanks Judy. It’s hard to remember being thirteen isn’t it? You never know; that walk could be something your grand niece cherishes throughout her life. She’ll most likely think of you every time she sees pussy willows, at least.
Another beautiful gallery of nature’s delights. Many of these are not sights I’d see in my region. Thanks for sharing them. 🙂
You’re welcome Jane, and thank you. No, I wouldn’t think you’d see much snow especially in Australia, though I’ve heard that they have it in New Zealand.
Wonderful signs of spring. I also have shoots happily popping up in my yard. Winter hasn’t been too bad this years, but I do feel sorry for those who depend on cold and snow.
I know what you mean Laura. I’ve been glad that I don’t cross country ski anymore!
Ah, Spring! 🙂
That’s what I thought too until I woke up to snow this morning. This winter has been a real roller coaster ride.
Snap! We too woke this morning to discover everything dusted with snow.
It shouldn’t last too long at this time of year.
It has nearly disappeared already under this blue sky.
It has changed over to sleet and freezing rain here. Tomorrow it’s supposed to be 50 degrees again.
So glad to see that ‘nature is stirring’. I would love to smell that witch hazel.
I’m sure that the vernal witch hazel is a hybrid that probably originated somewhere else. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had examples of it in some of your larger public gardens.
Thank for the tip.