It was a beautiful morning as you can see in the upper field of what is now Black Birch Vineyard. At the back of this field, in the woods where it became quite boggy I found two flowers... The first flower photo is Gold Thread, and is on Patsy's list from 1942. The second flower photo is of Dwarf Ginseng and this flower is not on her list. Gold Thread was found in a rather boggy area near what I believe to be an animals den. This flower is interesting to me because, what you think are white petals are really sepals, and if you click on the photo you will see what looks like short yellow cup shaped lollipops that are nectar holding petals. The stamen are white and longer than the petals. The styles are bright green. This plant is called Gold Thread because if you dig up the plant you will discover a network of gold colored fine roots coming from the rhizome of this plant. Early in this countries history, Gold Thread was used to make medicine by the American Indians and the Colonists, and that more medicine made from Gold Thread was sold in Boston than any other medicine.
The second flower is Dwarf Ginseng and is not the Ginseng that is used for medicinal reasons. Unlike its relative that has been over harvested and now considered rare in 31 states, this one is not in danger and if you dig up the tuber ...it can be eaten raw or boiled.
In my last entry, Sessile Leaved Bellwort, I wrote that Patsy did not find this flower on her farm in 1942 but actually she did. I discovered it this morning on her list.
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