Dutchman's Breeches at Culp's Hill
Those who merely drive through the park in spring are apt to miss more than the stories on the monuments. Spring on the battlefield provides a glimpse of new life where so many Americans fought. Since the battlefield has remained relatively undisturbed, it is home for many native wildflower species as well as a plethora of animals. A meandering walk, reading monuments and checking for position markers can also be a chance to see the flowers that were here in Pennsylvania, and much of the Northeast during the lives of the soldiers. Spring ephemerals are generally shorter plants, with few ranging as high as a foot, so you'll need to look down and be observant. This group of plants takes advantage of the sunlight which streams through leafless forests. Once the trees leaf out and deeper shade takes over, the ephemerals will disappear.
At Culp's Hill, on the one way road that circles around an area occupied by New Jersey sharpshooters during the battle one can find a profusion of Dutchman's Breeches, Dicentra cucullaria. Lacy gray green leaves characterize this native species. The distinctive leaflets appear first, signalling that the flowers will soon decorate the reddish stems. The leaves have a sheen that makes the grayish green look almost powdery. The common name is derived from the shape of the flowers, which look like pantaloons, or breeches, commonly worn in the 18th century. Flowers are creamy white, hanging from the stalk like breeches hanging on a clothesline. Each flower is really four joined petals, which meet to form the characteristic shape. At Culp's Hill, the plants bloom in April usually, forming lacy green beds on the brown oak leaf covered forest floor. The picture above was taken April 9, 2013. In this area, the flowers were visible from the road, along with bloodroot and cut-leaved toothwart.
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cut-leaved toothwort |
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, is a native wildflower which is almost tropical looking. This plant is native to the Eastern United States in rich forest land. Creamy white blossom arise on stems with a single clasping leaf. There may be between 8-12 petals surrounding the yellow center. The flowers are above were also at Culp's Hill. Appearing on the dull brown crumbling leaves, the flowers of bloodroot are a welcome sign of spring. Their name is based on the red liquid in their stems, which is poisonous. Despite its toxicity when eaten, bloodroot was used by Native Americans as well as European settlers to treat some wounds.
Cut-leaved toothwort is a showy native with clusters of flowers atop leaves that look like cutwork. Cardamine concatenata was used by various tribes, including Algonquian and Cherokee as a medicinal herb. It can be found from Maine to Florida, and westward to Oklahoma. This plant gained its name because of its appearance, and was used to treat toothache.
Anemone, Anemone on Confederate Avenue and Wright Avenue near Roundtop
One of the most beloved of the spring anemones is liverleaf, anemone americana, also known as round-lobed hepatica. Blooming from March to early May, these native flowers range in color from white, to indigo, pink, and purple. Sometimes called tri-lobed hepatica, these plants have attractive leaves with three lobes. Even with their vivid color, they are easy to overlook if you are walking along.
Although there are usually 6 sepals that look like petals, there may be from 5-10 on different plants. The flowers above were blooming in early April, although it is not uncommon to find flowers in March.
