Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks

A lot of people ask: "How can I learn all these wildflowers? The answer is: START SMALL. Learn all you can about a flower as soon as you spot it. A recommended book for identifying wildflowers is Newcomb's Wildflower Guide... Just follow the guide in this book primarily on page X1. Other good books for the beginner are the Peterson Guides--one is designed for wildflowers.

Start with the first flowering plant in the spring. Actually before "Spring" arrives , the "Harbinger of Spring" wildflower speckles the ground as early as February. After most of the white flowers are gone, their leaves, which look similar to ferns, appear.
		Next is the Hepatica with its showy flowers ranging from white to pink to light blue. These plants are usually found on a North facing slope. New three lobed leaves will show up shortly after the flowers finish blooming.
As the Hepatica are blooming, the Spring Beauties appear. The corms of these plants are a delicacy to eat. They have a "nut-like" flavor. To eat, just peel the thin skin off. Realize though that eating the root will destroy the plant.

Shortly after the Spring Beauties, the Toothwort and Blood Root appear. In the next few weeks, we will be able to spot 20-30 more species of wildflowers. What a beautiful time! Continue to glance at the ground before you take a step.