After leeches and ticks, the scariest thing in the woods is poison ivy. That I’ve never had a case of poison ivy makes no difference. I strip down as soon as I get home from a hike, put everything I’m wearing in the washing machine and get in the shower. I like to imagine any ticks will wash away too, ridiculous but nice to imagine.
I’ve heard ticks are active even early in the spring but I try to push their presence out of my mind and not think about them until it’s tick-check time when I get home. Not so with poison ivy. My gaze constantly grazes the edge of the trail. Hiking early this spring, before the poison ivy leafed out, I’ve had the most delightful feeling of hiking with impunity. I’ve wandered about freely exploring places off the trail usually made highly unattractive by the poison ivy.
Actually, poison ivy is very attractive, especially in spring as it leafs out, so much so that I wanted to learn a little more about this infamous plant. I found a book at the library. Guess what, poison ivy is at its peak just before it leafs out. I still can’t keep myself on the trail though. “If I just step in that one spot and don’t move I won’t accidently brush against those baby leaves two inches away, really.”
What could possible induce me to such reckless behavior? Red Trillium. It lured me in. I couldn’t resist. Red Trillium may be common to you (it ranges from
Lo and behold, I learn that I’ve fallen in love with another stinking plant. Red Trillium has several common names, “Wake-Robin,” “Wet-Dog Trillium” and “Stinking Benjamin.” Really, I had no idea. 
It was just the color that drew me to idle off the path. Actually you have to really hunker down to see it properly. The single flower flops over.
What is it with me and the odiferous plants? First skunk cabbage and now “wet-dog trillium?” I smell a theme. Apparently they both attract flies whose usual preferences run toward carrion. I’ve become completely enamored of two plants this spring, one stinks like a skunk and the other like rotting meat. And to admire them I’ve been playing in the poison ivy. It’s enough to make a girl wonder about herself.
[Books Consulted: Is it Poison Ivy? by Joan R. Darlington; A Pocket Guide to the Common Wild Flowers of Massachusetts by John E. Klimas, Jr.; Edible Wild Plants by Lee Allen Pterson; Eastern Forests by J. Kircher & G. Morrison. Photos: April 2010 Fitzgerald Lake, Florence, MA]
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Hi Annie
ReplyDeleteWe came across some wonderful Trillium last week and took some pics. Came we send you a shot? Let me know how if you're interested!
Dan
The color in your photo is so yummy. I saw lady slippers on my hike today. They were "saved" in a newly cleared area. Don't think they like full sun!
ReplyDeleteWe have red trilliums in our yard. Every year there are a few more than the last. I love them. Lucky for us, we don't get a lot of poison ivy. Scary stuff it is. I love your photos in this post.
ReplyDeleteHey there, I just found this stunning flower beside our driveway (woods on either side) when getting the kids off the school bus yesterday. (Okay, not exactly hiking, but walking, our driveway is long. I've never seen a red one before and I live in Ontario. So I just Googled "red trillium" and found your blog! Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteSorry my computer has been down a few days...
ReplyDeleteDan, yes please send a shot!
Fairin, lady slippers, I'm jealous!
Rowan, I'm thinking of trying to seed some in my yard too!
Anon, Thanks for the comment. I almost mentioned that White Trillium is the official flower of Ontario, but White Trillium is another post. I too hike around my yard wondering about things. You don't have to get out in the woods to dawdle, but it's fun when you can!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of the Red Trillium
ReplyDeleteI don't know a lot about plants and flowers but this Red Trillium is so impressive. It has a character that catches the eye. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting Roberta!
ReplyDeleteSo true, poison Ivy is very attractive. My first encounter I reached down to grab it thinking I would show someone. That was a rude awakening :( If it wasn't for the hiking gaiters I was wearing, my legs probably would have been covered in bumps like my arms!
ReplyDeleteI suspect I'm going to have to write a ballad about gaiters.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting description of these plants. The close-up on the poison ivy is simply beautiful. Today it is much less scary and nothing to get excited about it, but still, it is important to know that.
ReplyDelete