Spring's Hope- Ephemeral.

You might read that title twice.  Spring's Hope- Ephemeral.  Usually you hear  Alexander Pope's old line "Hope springs eternal (in the human breast.)" But I suggest, nothing is eternal in this natural world and one best admire the ephemeral hope of spring flowers while we can.

Snow Trillium, Trillium nivale

The photo of this flower is larger than life, literally.  This is the tiny Snow trillium, one of the earliest of our spring flowers.  We often find it peeking up through snow banks in March.

Snow Trillium with a little perspective.

Snow Trillium is generally quite small, but the first of this year's crop seem to be Lilliputian! The nickle puts it all in perspective.

As much as I wish you could walk on your local woodlot and find these specialty flowers, it is not likely to happen.  They are few and far between.  Ohio's botanically savvy make pilgrimages across many miles to visit known sites each year.  This location in Adams County. There are a few in Columbus and others, near Clifton Gorge.  Just stumbling across them is nearly impossible, as they also present a challenge to find due to their size alone.

 There are at least eight mini-trilliums growing on this dolomite rock outcropping. Without the nickle to point the way, they are easily over-looked.  Too often properties are developed or destroyed, with no accounting for the rarities which might have been on them.

Land preservation and stewardship carried out by organizations like Ohio Natural Areas and Preserve Association, Ohio Department of Natural Areas and Preserves, The Nature Conservancy, and Arc of Appalachia is more important than ever.

Please help us protect the smallest of our woodland wonders for future wild flower enthusiasts.

The Ohio State Fair

One thousand seed packets and pencils given away, and it was a distinct pleasure to spend a day in the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves' booth at the Ohio State Fair.

DNAP- they are the ones who conserve some of the rarest plants and animals (including butterflies) in Ohio. Funding has been a major issue this year, and the Division was all but dissolved. Since there is no revenue stream - like hunting licenses or camping site fees- your donations are essential to the protection of these fabulous site. Many are the places consistently featured on this blog: Fowler Woods, Irwin Prairie, Sears Wood, Springville Marsh (to name a few.) So remember to CHECK OFF a donation on your state income tax, or purchase one of those cool purple coneflower and monarch license plates. Those funds go directly to DNAP.

The Natural Resources Park at the state fair has something for everyone! Fishing, kayaking, avian displays, camping info, a mini prairie, and of course my other favorite spot...

The Butterfly House! Packed full of native plants and a variety of butterflies for your viewing pleasure.

People were more than willing to endure the heat to get a gander at flutter-bys up close and personal. Don't forget your camera!

Be sure to put the Ohio State Fair on your list of things to do, and visit the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves for a nifty poster or package of prairie seeds. Support DNAP- and help protect and conserve some of Ohio's greatest natural resources!

Daughmer Burns- fire as a tool

Fire can either be friend or foe. Usually considered destructive or bad, fire can be a tool for rejuvenation. Fire has played a significant role in the management of prairies since the days of Native Americans. Lack of fire even led to the decline of lupines, and Karner Blue butterflies in the Oak Openings.


Fire is added to the landscape at Daughmer Savannah, our state newest- and 135th State Nature Preserve. Managed by Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, now under the Ohio State Parks.

These are well planned operations, with plenty of fore-thought for safety, wind speeds and directions are monitored and copious amounts of water is on standby.

Daughmer- a diamond in the rough. This Bur Oak Savannah is a significant piece of Ohio history and one of the rare remnants of Ohio land that escaped both plow and timber crews.

These majestic 200 year old oaks speak of perseverance, even fire can not penetrate their thickened bark. They remain as sentinels of a time past. The prairie at their feet was degraded by sheep grazing, and the creep of invasive plants. Fire will help to turn back the time, and allow fire dependant plants to thrive again.

The back-fire is set, crawling slowly across the ground, it provides a safety line.

Wind pushes the head fire across the prairie to meet up with backfire. This burn was the ultimate in safety and control, with high moisture content in the grass, it created a slow smoldering burn.

Sunlight plays on smoke as the fire creeps through the oaks. There is nearly mystical feeling to see the blending of fire and forbs. This power, which can be so destructive can also be a source of new life and growth.

Daughmer Prairie survives to see another century, and we are fortunate to witness a small part of its story.

Ohio's Rare Plants

Just west of Castalia, the Ohio Division of Wildlife owns a 2,272 acre plot of which includes a large remnant of native prairie. I have visited this location in the summer, enjoying the full beauty of head-high grasses and forbs, but today’s photo features its crowning glory of spring: the endangered small White Lady’s-slipper Orchid, Cypripedium candidum.



They were a bit past their "prime " this year, as the weather has played havoc with much of Ohio's normal botanical timing. But mark mid-May on your calendar for next year and see them emerging from the rubble-like natural formations of tufa rock. These orchids, smallest of the lady’s-slippers, are fit for a pint-sized princess. Breath-taking to behold and mixed in with many other mega-rarities, if you go to visit be careful where you step as rare plant life is found everywhere.

It is an impressive sight. Friends Jimmy and Susan "ooh and ah" over the smaller-than-normal crop of White Lady's-slippers. This must have been an "off year" for barely thumb sized orchids, and the field did not show signs of a spring burn.

Geology and fire play key roles in the production of this field of orchids. The plants are calciphiles, and would not exist if not for the lime-rich tufa rock. (A whole blog should be written on tufa rock and I may challenge some geologist to do just that!) It is also tough for them to compete with prairie and woody plants that tend to pioneer on open prairies- without fires. Burning this prairie has become key to maintaining the balance of vegetation, and without the fire- the orchids would not be able to continue in this unique habitat.

For comparision, here is a mid-May photo from 2008. Not only was the bloom count higher, but the orchids were much larger as well.

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Managing Natural Areas of Ohio require good science and some back breaking work. If you love botany and wish to see Ohio's natural areas mantained for rare plants and animals, please download the pre-made post card and send, or write a letter to your State Rep. and the Governor of Ohio and let them know. DNAP has been totally cut from funding, and many of us worry for the future of Ohio's rare plants. Please show your support for Ohio's Natural Areas.