Woodland wildflowers

Midwest native woodland wildflowers:

The diminshing habitat of woodland wildflowers leaves them in a delicate balance for future survival. Not only is man’s destruction of their habitat a factor, invasive weeds also play a large role in “squeezing out ” wildflowers from their environment. They rob the plants of sunlight, water and nutrients. It is important that we become stewarts of preserving the wildflowers we still have and hopefully, will have in the future.

Rue Anemone Anemonella Thalictroides / Family: Ranunculaceae

Flowering: April to Mid-June.
Habitat: Rich woodlands.
Descritpion: This woodland wildfower grows 4 to 9 inches high. Soft green stem. Compound leaves with 3 rounded, notched leaflets arranged in elevated whorls around single, central flowering stalks. Basal leaves also look more notched than lobed. This species is similar to the False Rue Anemone (Isopyrum biternatum), but differs by having 3 whorled leaves just below the flower.

Collect seeds: June. Cluster of small, green seeds (achenes) at end of branched stalks come off easily when rubbed between fingers. The fruit of A. thalictroides can be distinguished from that of Isopyrum biternatum which bears a small follicle (pod containing several seeds) rather than an achene. Because A. thalictroides flowers over a period of time, both ripe and unripe seeds are likely to be found at the same time. Seed can be picked over several weeks.

Red Trillium Trillium sessile /Family: Liliaceae

Flowering: April to June
Habitat: Moist rich woodland
Descrition: A woodland wildflower which grows 4 to 12 inches high. One large, maroon stalkless flower above a whorl of 3 whorled leaves, that appears closed.
Collect seeds: Early July. One dry berry, angled, up to 1 inch in diameter forms at the end of a stalk in the middle of 3 green sepals. The berry rolls off plant easily when pinched or pushed. Seeds inside are reddish brown and are surrounded by a sticky caruncle. Do not allow to dry out while storing.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema Triphyllum / Family: Araceae

FLOWERING: April – May.
Habitat: Rich moist woodland, wet swamps, or drier areas in high open woods where soil is rich in humus.
Description: 15 – 30 inches high. Perennial. Leaflike hood (spathe) surrounds a central column (spadix). Spathe is green or purplish brown, often striped. Leaves, 1 or 2, long-stalked, 3 parted. This woodland wildflower is dioecious. Females bear fruit.

Collect seeds: Seed timing: Mid-August through September. Shortly after spathe withers a dense cluster of green berries appears. Cluster slowly expands, turns orange, then scarlet red. Often leaves deteriorate before fruit matures so that seed collectors see only a single green stalk supporting the cluster of brilliant red berries which can then be picked. Seed cleaning should be started within a few days of collection while pulp is still soft.

Information on each wildflower includes details on when to pick the seeds. This is intended to guide seed harvesting efforts for restoration, but can also be used in your own yard. Remember to never pick seeds from the wild without permission from the landowner.