MAYFLOWERS: This is that time of year when a walk in the woods
can produce a great bouquet of flowers. Our favorites are trillium
of any color, and those tiny purple violets.

May is National Wildflower Month, according to representatives
of the Allegheny National Forest, who pass along some interesting
background information about those blossoms decorating the forest
floor – not just for their beauty but their unique role in the
eco-system.

The first of the spring flowers to emerge in this part of
Pennsylvania in wooded areas is rarely thought of as a flower – the
purple flower of skunk cabbage which grows mostly in wetlands.
We’re sure you’ve seen them by now.

Eastern skunk cabbage derives its name from the foul-odor the
plant emits when leaves are broken or crushed. The skunk-like odor
attracts pollinators such as flies and bees that help complete the
lifecycle of the skunk cabbage.

The plant is particularly attractive to carrion (dead animal)
insects because it is the first flower to emerge after winter.
Skunk cabbage can even grow in icy soils by creating its own heat
in a process called thermogenesis.

The warmer air temperature inside the flower moves the foul odor
to the atmosphere; the warm air may be another reason that skunk
cabbage attracts flies. Native Americans used skunk cabbage as a
medicine to improve breathing.

The National Forest promises more information on other
wildflowers – spring beauties, Canada mayflowers, trilliums,
jack-in-the-pulpits, bloodroot, juneberry, black cherry, gaywings –
which we’ll share with readers.

Meanwhile, they suggest acquiring a flower identification guide
before your next walk in the woods.

ON PATROL: Sharon Rexford Webb of Erie writes, “I patrolled at
Derrick City Elementary in 1968; remember rounding up the kids
classroom by classroom at the end of the school day by half
shouting, half singing, ‘Bells Camp and Red Rock.’ The trip to
Washington, D.C., was a great honor and adventure. My favorite
memory of the trip is stopping at Gettysburg battlefield. To this
day I love reading about the Civil War.”

Speaking of Gettysburg, a massive three-day re-enactment is
scheduled this summer to mark the 145th anniversary of the
history-changing battle. Two major battles will be re-enacted each
of July 4, 5 and 6 at the C. David Redding Farm, just three miles
north of Gettysburg.