Wildflowers of Silas Lane
PLEASE DON’T PICK THE WILDFLOWERS. LEAVE THEM WHERE NATURE INTENDED.
 Eastern Spring Beauty: small, early-blooming woodland plants; important food for native pollinators; aka “fairy spud” for edible potato-like tubers; prefers drier, thinner soils in forests and woodland edges Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Canada Mayflower: aka False Lily-of-the-Valley; native low-growing, shade-loving wildflower; tiny white flowers in late spring, red berries in fall Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Violets: ~ 3 dozen native violet species in NY; Common Blue Violet, aka Sister Violet or Confederate Violet; found in diverse habitats; food source for various wildlife; used in teas and salads. Photo credit: Brooklyn Botanical Garden |
 Mayapple: umbrella-like leaves, white-to-rose flowers; plant is toxic but fruit is edible. |  Wild Strawberry: various habitats; edible fruits ripen in late spring, early summer; identify by white flowers as opposed to the yellow flowers of mock strawberry |  Bunchberry: low-growing wildflower found in cool, shaded forests; food source for a variety of wildlife (bears, chipmunks, rabbits, birds, insects…) Photo credit: Paul Smiths College |
 Red Trillium: native wildflower found in blooming in damp, shady forests; aka “stinking Benjamin” or “Bethroot”; protected by law in in New York (look, don’t pick!) Photo credit: USDA.gov |  Wild Leek, aka ramps: found in damp, shaded areas of deciduous forests; threatened by over-harvesting; foraging may require a permit or permission; illegal to harvest one variety. Never remove bulbs; take leaves only sparingly (~5% of a patch) Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Trout Lily: spring ephemeral found in moist, deciduous woodlands; perennials that can survive for decades. |
 Wild Sarsaparilla: Food source for animals; root used to make root beer and teas Photo credit: iNaturalist |  True Solomon’s Seal: common native wildflower found in moist woodlands; several varieties: graceful arching stems with greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers hanging below; dark blue to black berries. Photo credit: iNaturalist |  False Solomon’s Seal: flower clusters at the tip of the stem; berries green with red speckles turning deep red; food source for animals, dense cover for nesting sites Photo credit: iNaturalist |
 Blue Bead Lily: found in cool, acidic forests, yellow flowers in spring, blue berries in mid-summer; berries not edible for humans; young leaves are edible; used as poultice for wounds, infections Photo credit USDA.gov |  Jack-in-the-Pulpit: food source for birds and mammals; some parts, especially the root, are poinonous to humans. Unique pollination system traps fungus gnats; has the ability to change sex based on environmental conditions. Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Golden Thread: named for bright yellow thread-like rhizomes; various traditional medicinal uses Photo credit: iNaturalist |
 Bladder Campion: introduced from Europe, considered invasive; young leaves edible; root used as soap; medicinal uses Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Daisy: There are no true daisies that are native to New York. English and Oxeye daisies were introduced from Europe and can be invasive, displacing native plants. Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Plantain: common, native weed found throughout New York, growing in disturbed areas like lawns and sidewalks; food source for insects, mammals, birds Photo credit: iNaturalist |
 Clover: none of the ~20 species found in New York are native but they do provide a food source and habitat for various animals; valued for nitrogen-fixing properties Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Milkweed: several native milkweed species found in New York (inc. Common, Swamp, Poke Milkweed and Butterfly Weed); host plant for butterfly caterpillars; provide food and habitat for many insects Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Queen Anne’s Lace: aka wild carrot; flat-topped cluster of tiny white flowers, often with a central pink, red, or purple floret; all parts are edible when young; root tastes like mild carrot; caution: plant resembles the deadly poison hemlock. Photo credit: Rick Bunting |
 Yarrow: aromatic, hairy, perennial plant with fine, fern-like foliage and flat-topped clusters of small flowers that bloom from spring to fall; member of the aster family; attracts butterflies and bees Photo credit: iNaturalist |  Blue Flag: a native species of iris found in wet habitats; food source for pollinators; provides habitat and shelter for various species; help stabilize shorelins; toxic to humans and livestock if ingested |  Thistle: Native thistle species provide food and nesting material for birds like the American Goldfinch, shelter for small mammals and insects; improve soil aeration. Photo credit: iNaturalist |
 Cocklebur: coarse weeds with rough, hairy, purple-speckled stems, triangular to heart-shaped leaves, and spiny burs that attach to fur or clothing; several varieties, some native, some introduced. |  Daisy Fleabane: several species native to New York; common in various habitats; vital food source for pollinators, butterflies, and birds; helps control erosion and suppress weeds; provides food and habitat for insects, birds, deer, and rabbits |  Aster: Daisy-like flowers; several varieties native to New York; good late-season color and food for pollinators, suited to various habitats |
 Hawkweed: perennial, dandelion-like plants, color yellow to orange; several species introduced; considered invasive, displacing native plants. |  Goldenrod: Canada Goldenrod is one of the most common of about 2 dozen varieties of goldenrod in New York State; vital food source for pollinators; genus name “Solidago” means “to make whole”, referring to healing properties |  Virginia Waterleaf: an herbaceous perennial of moist deciduous forests that blooms in late spring to early summer. It has been found in this area hiding among the Japanese Knotweed forest along the river. |