April 30

Thursday, Remi and I traveled 13 miles southwest of Alma to the small village of Sumner and hiked on the Walking Trail in Centennial Park. We stepped out of the car around 7:30am to overcast skies, still air and a chilly temperature of 36 degrees. Near the trail entrance, I paused to take in the sights and sounds of the Pine River that flowed south along the park’s western border. I followed the path north along the river flats where several Skunk Cabbage plants were popping up through the leaf litter. I paused by a young plant, broke off some leaves and smelled the “rotting flesh” odor that gave it the name. Surprisingly, the stench is quite beneficial to the plant's survival as it discourages animals from eating its leaves and disturbing the wetland habitat it prefers. The smell also attracts bees and flies that act as its pollinators. Besides the putrid smell, they are one of the few plants that exhibit thermogenesis, meaning they have the ability to raise their own temperature. Much like a warm-blooded mammal, the plant can raise its temperature well above the outside temperature during the day and night. This attribute allows the plant to melt its way through snow and frozen ground. Continuing on the trail, some very white bracket fungi caught my eye. As the path circled back to the south, I spotted several patches of my first spring wildflower, called Bloodroot. I pulled up a few to observe the red sap on the roots from which it is named. Native Americans once used this sap for dyes. The rootstock is caustic and poisonous if ingested, but has been used medicinally for its antiseptic and emetic properties. Continuing south, I noticed the Honeysuckle bushes along the trail were beginning to leaf out and green up the woodland. Nearing the car, I scanned a tall tree where a Chipping Sparrow was singing loud and clear. After much searching, I barely spotted it among the dense branches with its rust-colored crown and thin black, eye patch. Finally, we got in the car and headed east toward Alma.

Where’ve you been

Where will you go

Staying the course

Pine River, flow

Channel is full

Current is slow

Life giving source

Pine River, flow

Wisdom of your waters

I long to know

Nature’s treasure

Pine River, flow

D. DeGraaf