April 3rd,
2014. On our way back from South Carolina, we detoured through Clayton to the
Tate City Road on the Tallulah River that we had last visited in late 2012. At that time, we had
found seeds of Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllium) and the Strawberry
Bush (Euonymous americanus) as well as blooms ofJewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
Vicia
caroliniana (Carolina Vetch, Wood Vetch, Pale Vetch) was
growing on the embankments before we crossed the river.
At first, the road runs along the river where the water is
flowing over large boulders for some distance. We saw wildflowers on some of
the steep embankments that were not easily accessible.
Further up the river, the valley widens. The wildflowers
were more accessible.
Trillium cuneatum (Little Sweet Betsy, Purple Toadshade)
were flowering on both sides of the road. The number of plants with the green
form of the flower was striking.
I counted one cluster of at least 11 plants of this form
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot, Red Puccoon) plants in
bloom were plentiful on many embankments.
Some were starting to develop seedpods.
In addition to the ‘normal’ Bloodroot flowers, we found
quite a few ‘double’s.
Thalictrum
thalictroides (Rue Anemone, Windflower) were also plentiful on some
embankments.
Erythronium
umbilicatum (Dimpled Troutlily, Dimpled Trout Lily,
Dogtooth Violet). We found only two small patches of these lilies. It was
surprising that they were still blooming.
At the end of the road, we found a number of wildflowers,
some just starting to blooms or finishing for the season.
Arisaema triphyllum ssp. triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
just leafing out.
A white-flowered trillium just beginning to open.
Hepatica
nobilis var. acuta (Sharplobe Hepatica, Sharp-lobed
Hepatica, Sharp-lobed Liverleaf). Although most plants had finished blooming,
one or two plants were still blooming.
This is a rich botanical area for Spring wildflowers and
well-worth a visit.
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