Green in Winter: Goldthread

Coptis trifolia is occasional in swamp forests near Lake Michigan. It often grows on mossy green hummocks or fallen tree tip-up mounds near shallow pools of water. The common name makes reference to the bright orange-gold colored rhizomes.

Trailing Arbutus and other nice things

Last weekend I went hill climbing in search of Epigaea repens and found it upon the Earth lying down, just like the name says. The fragrance of its flowers is spicy and sweet, and rather attractive to little black bees! I was also fortunate to get acceptable pictures of Dicentra canadensis, Trillium recurvatum, and Coptis trifolia, among others. Life is good for a botanist in April!

Epigaea repens, Trailing Arbutus

Dicentra canadensis, Squirrel Corn

Trillium recurvatum, Red Trillium

Coptis trifolia, Goldthread