A day in the woods

We started off with a walk in the woods along the LMR with my granddaughter Kally. The woods this time of year I find really fascinating with all kinds of little plants you wont find the rest of the year. These are called spring ephemerals. The idea is to pop up flowers, grow, and start setting seed before the trees overhead leaf out and shade the understory. So these guys are raring to go and are the first things you'll run into this time of the year. Everywhere this trip we found Dutchman's breeches. The flowers hang off a droopy arching stem and I guess reminded people of little pants hanging out on the line to dry.





We also found bloodroot blooming even before the leaves had uncurled fully. Bloodroot gets its name from the bright red sap inside the root that looks like blood. This sap will burn you and was used in old time remedies for warts or skin tags even melinoma. But can result in serious scarring if not done properly. The FDA has prosecuted practitioners for carrying out this remedy. Bloodroot is very big with practitioners of magic and witchcraft. Supposedly you put a piece of dried root in alcohol let it soak and drink a shot. Supposedly it, umm, well, makes things work better if your a guy. Bloodroot carried and spread around the house in voodoo is used as a hex breaker and to avoid negative energy and bad luck. Also if you fear someone is trying to break up your marriage, put some dried bloodroot into yours and your spouse's pillows. Its also used by burning it to negate bad juu juu.



Up higher on the hill we began to find large patches of ramps and a very cool plant. Trout Lily.



Trout lily is so named because in the southern mountains it is a sign that the time has come to catch trout. The corm of trout lily is edible. Some believe that wounds will be healed if the plant is soaked in cold water, then removed and wrapped it in cloth and applied to a wound or bruise. It is left there until the bundle is warm, and then removed and buried in a muddy place.
According to legend native Americans would chew up leaves and then spit them on whatever waters they were going to fish to ensure good luck.

Back off the trail we found some frogs in a little pond. Several small frogs were around the edges and still seemed a bit lethargic in the cool water. I took a snapshot of this guy then managed to catch him in my hands. He jumped out then, causing Kally to scream and run. His next big jump was right at her causing even more panic, it was pretty awesome!