Tag Archives: Upper Buttermilk Falls

It’s my birthday and I can hike if I want to

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For over thirty years, my favorite thing to do on my birthday has been to go on a hike in the woods with loved ones. I started this ritual years ago to get family who didn’t seem share my intense enthusiasm for the great outdoors. Hey, it’s my birthday and no one could refuse my simple request. Quite frankly, I have been blessed with a fabulous day to be born ~ May 4th. There is nothing better than having a birthday in May, when everything is breaking out of its winter slumber and painting the woods with a rainbow of colors. Years ago, I commented how lovely the day was and a friend said, “It’s always beautiful on your birthday.” And folks, 95% of the time it really is; ever so often there are more clouds than sunshine, but I really cannot remember it ever raining.

This year, we visited one of my favorite trails, Upper Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca, NY. Although, a few of flowers had already bloomed, we caught just about all my favorites.

Check out all the lovelies along the trail.

Wild Geranium

Bloodroot sans flowers

Dutchman’s-Breeches

Forget-me-not

Sharp-lobed Hepatica

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Trillium

Wild Ginger with flower

Bird’s eye view of Wild Ginger

Large-flowered Bellwort

What do you like to do on your birthday?

Back to the woods

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I love visiting the woods throughout the seasons, investigating what new flowers are blooming and what fruits have ripened. A couple of mornings ago, I visited one of my favorite places, Upper Buttermilk Falls. Once Mathew is in school, I visit it often, since it is just a mile away from the school and a lovely hike with gorges, waterfalls and chock full of biodiversity. Almost every time I visit I see something new.

On my last hike, I came across several fruiting plants that I had the pleasure of seeing earlier in the year while they were in bloom.

jack in the pulpit fruitIt is always thrilling to come across Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) whether it is in bloom or fruiting. It’s hard to miss its bright red clutter of berries.

doll eyesI find the fruit of the White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) or better known as Doll’s Eyes rather interesting and creepy. The berries contain cardiogenic toxins, when eaten raw, your cardiac muscles will quickly become sedated and you know what happens when your heart stops beating – cardiac arrest (ie: death). Now that’s pretty creepy. I think it is best to leave them for the birds since they enjoy them with no ill affect.

LobeliaI love coming across Great lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) in the forest. Its deep bright periwinkle blossoms are always a welcome sight among the green background of the early fall forest. Lobelia is one of the forest plants that have become commonplace in cultivated gardens, we even had it in our wedding flower arrangements. Lobelia is useful for serious respiratory problems as it is a powerful antispasmodic, relaxing the chest and opens constricted bronchial passages, therefore great for asthma and bronchitis. It is very powerful and should only be taken in very small dosages to begin with as it has varying effects on different people. Another name for it is pukeweed as it can induce vomiting in some people. Lobelia is on the United Plant Savers “to watch” list, so please do not pick it, just enjoy it’s beautiful blossoms.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.