Early Spring Wildflowers on the Bartram Trail
Bloodroot, Sanguinara Canadensis
A few days ago, we hiked on the Bartram Trail from Wallace Branch to William’s Pulpit and saw some some beautiful early spring wildflowers. We discovered several bloodroots, which are lovely to see at this time of year since they stand out against the leaves and otherwise drab conditions. This one was particularly lovely, so I made a soft image with focus stacking to connect with the heart of the plat and its energy. Bloodroots, or Sanguinaria Canadensis, are considered to be sun worshippers, as they bloom when there is little shade in the forest. I had to respect their courage in shining their light, when there was little to protect them from the sun’s rays. Bartram was enamored with these flowers and sent them to his European patrons. Though their roots are poisonous, they are sometimes prescribed as headache remedies and stimulants in small doses. This is a platinum-palladium print, as is the image below.
Wild Oat, Sessile-Leaf Belwort, platinum-palladium print
Another lovely spring wildflower is the Wild Oat, or Sessile-Leaf Belwort. These flowers contain one per stem and spread beneath the ground via rhizomes or creeping rootstocks. Rhizomes spread horizontally and can grow new shoots. No part of a rhizome is superior and it simply grows horizontally, with no point of origin or controlling force. They are the perfect symbol for a new inclusive order. The flowers themselves are incredibly graceful and delicate. The precious aspects of this plant and its symbolism made it the perfect candidate for a platinum-palladium print in my mind.
Southern Nodding Trillium (Trillium rugelii)
Trilliums were considered sacred by indigenous tribes and was used to assist in childbirth and other female problems. Given the current situation in this country, they hold a special significance for me right now. They are very delicate flowers and it is illegal to remove them from the wild in many place, primarily because they won’t survive. The flowers generally symbolize grace, elegance, and spiritual embodiment.
Yellow Coreopsis
The yellow coreopsis is another plant that grows via rhizomes. It is a delicate early spring flower and it’s symbolism is as uplifting as the sight of it is in the previously dormant woods as they come to life. These plants are said to be always cheerful and they represent love at first sight. As soon as I saw them, I became happy and fell in love with their delicate shape and bright color. There isn’t much shade in the forest at this time of year, and I thought it was so touching to see this one growing under the leaf of a nearby plant, as if it was being protected. John Bartram, William Bartram’s father was the first practicing Linnaean botanist to travel extensively in the southeastern United States. William Bartram traveled between North Carolina and Florida from 1773 to 1777 documenting and illustrating plants. William and his father identified over 200 native plants. As we walked this trail and saw some of these beautiful spring wildflowers, I imagined how excited they must have been to come across such beautiful native plants. I look forward to hiking more of this trail as the seasons change and different wildflowers bloom. I also look forward to reading more of Bartram’s descriptions and imagining whether we are seeing similar things as well as recognizing what has changed. To see the old growth trees he would have seen, you have to travel to Joyce Kilmer or the Alrightt Grove, where it was too physically difficult to log. Still many of the same wildflowers he saw remain today.