wilD things
Springtime ’ s little pleasures
Story and Photos by jason donohue
Spring in Virginia tends to be wild and unpredictable with temperatures fluctuating between below freezing at night to 70 degrees during the day . Regardless of the daily temperature swings , there are an abundance of Spring plants and flowers in Loudoun , with Virginia bluebells perhaps one of the most discussed and photographed around the county . This Spring , make it a priority to get out and look around . While from afar you may only see housing developments , new construction , and roads , a closer inspection off the beaten path will lead you to an abundance of colorful and interesting early foliage . Whether you walk in the woods , grasslands , or your neighborhood , keep your eyes peeled for these four plants signaling Spring is finally here .
as lawn care companies treat the grass with chemicals and homeowners spray insecticide on these “ weeds ”. However , the presence of clover in your yard or in the open is generally an indication of healthy soil as clover is a nitrogen fixing plant , meaning it helps to feed what grows around it . Once you spot and recognize the benefits of clover , it ’ s hard to imagine wanting to eradicate them .
n Jack in the pulpit ( Arisaema triphyllum ) If you find yourself walking in moist , shaded areas in the Spring , keep an eye on the ground for a low growing plant called Jack-inthe-pulpit . It sometimes goes by the name of bog onion or Indian turnip , but regardless of what you call it , unique is one of the best ways to describe this native plant . With two stalks that each grow a three-parted leaf , a third stalk emerges consisting of the “ flower ”. It is cylindrical in nature ( officially called a spathe ) and appears to have a leaf folded over the top with deep maroon colored stripes . The stalks with leaves may grow n Clover ( Trifolium ) Perhaps the most ubiquitous flower behind the dandelion that catches the eye of young children is the clover . Growing up , my siblings and I used to pick them by the handfuls , arranging the stems into homemade vases or empty plastic peanut butter jars making sure the flowers popped above the top of the rim and presenting them to my parents and grandmother as if we were highly trained florists . Today my wife and I find ourselves on the receiving end of many bouquets of clover which dot our household utilizing old vases and recycled containers .
As an early blooming flower that continues well into Summer , clover provides one of the earliest sources of pollen and nectar for bees and by doing so also attracts young children with bug catchers . While the white flower tends to be more prevalent , clover is also present in purple , red , and pinkish hues around our area growing to about six inches tall with its recognizable three leaflet patterns . The manicured lawns of present day dissuade clover from growing
46 wander I spring • summer 2022