Streaming Water

My son and I went for a walk this afternoon after we dropped my daughter off at work. There was a fine mist of rain falling, but we were perfectly dry under the trees. We stopped at this waterfall so I could rest and of course I couldn’t resist taking out the old camera. The large, leafed plant swooping over the stream, and along the bank, are called Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridum). They have horrible thorns along their steams and stocks. I would have much rather sat and watch the water tumble over the rocks than continue on exploring the Devil’s Club laden forest where my son wanted to explore. It’s awful when you grab whatever you can find to keep from falling and feel tiny, small thorns penetrating your palm(s).

Annual Planting

Remember the greenhouse I photographed on March 15, 2010? Well, after Carol Ackerson (a crew leader with the CBJ Parks and Landscaping) and her crew meticulously cared for the annuals at the CBJ greenhouse and cold frames, they are now ready to be planted. Carol designs a grid in the soil before she begins transplanting the flowers into one of the many planters around Juneau.

Marsh Marigold

Marsh Marigolds

Common Name: Marsh Marigold
Scientific Name: Caltha palustris
Family: Buttercup, Crowfoot/Ranunculaccae
Habitat: Marshes, Streams, and occasionally around Lakes
Bloom Time: Early May to Late June (depending on how early spring arrives)
Edibility: Early spring greens are edible when fully cooked. This requires cooking the young leaves in 2-3 changes of water until barely tender. I like them cut in small pieces and drizzled with vinegar. They should only be eaten in small quantities.

Warning: NEVER eat the leaves raw. The mature leaves contain a toxic chemical called ranunculin.

Northern Red Currant

     While I was wondering along the Mendenhall Peninsula shore, I came across these delicate, little flowers blooming. It’s always exciting when I come across a new plant that I haven’t seen before. After searching through my wild plant field guides, I discovered they are Northern Red Currant blossoms (Ribes triste). Unlike the Bristly Black Currant they have a smooth stem.
     According to the book Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, The Northwest by Janice J. Schofield, they are high in vitamin C and copper. They can be found in open areas along moist woods, near stream banks, and the seashore. They range from northern Alaska and the Yukon to Oregon.
     I’ll have to return when they are ripe so I can photograph the berries, and I can pick a few to try in a pie. I wonder if they would be good with blueberries. Let me know if you have any suggestions for berry combinations.

If you would like to see more photos from Ruby Tuesday participants, just click on the link.

Spring Perennials

Now that the temperature has warmed up in Juneau and the surrounding area, the spring perennials are adding a splash of color.

If you would like to see more flowers from around the world, visit the other participates atToday's Flowers.

Skunk Cabbage

     Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) has started springing up all around Juneau. This particular patch, near the Auke Village Recreational Area, had recently been visited by a black bear. Not only did I find signs of bear scat, but I also found a couple areas where the soil had been disturb from a bear digging up the Skunk Cabbages roots. I could see its path by following the cabbage that only had their yellow tops nibbled off.. Skunk cabbage is a favorite part of the black bears spring diet.