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By ALICE ROBINSON
Walking the other day in the woods, I saw a cluster of trout
lilies beside the trail. The mottled leaves were everywhere
and occasionally the drooping flowers with reflexed petals
were to be seen - a sign of approaching spring. By that sign
we know that Proserpina has left her underworld home with
Pluto and has returned to her mother, Ceres, to give us all
a rebirth.
Also along the trail were the spent, red maple blossoms covering
the floor. Beech leaf buds were still tightly curled and the
broad three part leaves of the red trillium were spread but
the flower buds were still tightly clasped. Hobblebush buds
were just opening.
Last year I was privileged to watch the hobblebush change
from its winter condition of tan, rusty-hairy buds that are
prominent as you walk through the winter woods. In early spring
the buds break apart. The opposite leaves are tightly curled.
In the center of the leaves, rusty colored “claws”
are opening. Underneath the “claws” you can see
traces of lettuce green. This is the beginning of the spring
floral display.
As the season progresses, large, showy, white flowers develop
on the hobblebush. These eye- catching flowers are sterile:
they are there to attract the insects who then pollinate the
tiny, insignificant, inside group of flowers which will become
the handsome red berries later in the season. In August the
large, heart-shaped hobblebush leaves will turn wine color.
Sometimes they are split right down the middle of the leaf,
one half green and one half wine.
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