This week there are even more blooms in the Azalea Glen. Pictured here is a flame azalea, one of Ohio’s native species of azalea. This species is endangered in Ohio with wild populations occurring in certain areas of southeastern Ohio.
As you walk along the Parkwoods Trail near the Stumpery, you may notice some blooming yellow wakerobin. This is a type of trillium that is native to the southeastern united states.
On fallen logs in forested areas you are likely to see orange mycena. This mushroom stands out due to its bright orange color when fresh. It grows in clusters from wood, popping up after rains from now through the summer.
This time of year you may find bear corn at the base of oak trees. Although it doesn’t look like it, this is a plant! Bear corn is parasitic and lacks any chlorophyll, hence the lack of green color. Instead, this plant grows attached to the roots of oak trees and takes the oak’s water and nutrients.
Bald-faced hornets do not reuse their nests each year and instead build a new one. Pictured is a hornet scraping away some of the wood from a bridge near the Stumpery. The wood fibers will be used to make the paper-like nest material.
This week, we’ve noticed rose-breasted grosbeaks in the Bird Watching Garden. Pictured here is a female who stands out against similarly colored finches due to her size, bold white streak above her eye, and thick pink bill.
One of the most beautiful bird songs you might hear at The Arboretum belongs to the wood thrush. These birds spend the non-breeding season in Central America. Listen for their flute-like song that echoes through forested areas.
This American redstart was hopping around trees near the Visitors Center. Male American redstarts stand out amongst a lot of our other warblers due to their unique color palette comprising of mostly black with flashes of orange.
-Hannah Dillemuth, Learning & Engagement Educator and Camp Coordinator
