Flora

Gooseberry

The Gooseberry brings back memories of our backyard in a rural area of 

Charles City Iowa. These served as our hedges and protected our land from 

the fierce winds that came across farmers fields that surrounded our home.  

My mom "Fleetta" mastered the art of pie making with these berries and we always looked forward to them in the fall.  

I found this specific gooseberry plant halfway up "Steep Rock Trail" overlooking the valley. 

May Apple

May Apple - a.k.a. American Mandrake

It blooms in late April to early May.  The fully ripened fruit is edible and can be used in jellies, pies and other sweetness delights.  The rest of the plant is mostly poisonous in large doses although the root has been known for medicinal uses by Native Americans from what I've read.

Folklore:  The English version of the plant "Mandrake" talks of the plant having human feelings and when you go to uproot the plant, it screams causing the puller to go insane.  Don't try pulling this in the park as the plants and animals are all protected here.  

Warning:  The Animal Poison Control Center warns that this plant is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.  So keep the cats and dogs on a lease and don't let your horses wander loose in the park.

Showy Orchis

Showy Orchis - a.k.a. Preacher in the Pulpit. 

The plant is part of the lily family but very small and doesn't look much like a lilly at all save for the leaves.  It's about 6" tall from what I observed in the park.  It blooms from mid May to June and grows in either small clusters to individual plants.  

These plants were found off a trail leading from one of the southern most campsites to "Hole in the Rock" trail.

Watercress underwater

Watercress is native to the park, loving the cool waters that are spring fed here.  

It is part of the mustard family and is edible, has lots of vitamins and minerals and does have a mild hot mustard flavor.  It is used in salads and makes a great replacement for lettuce in sandwiches.  

Do not pick watercress in the park as you shouldn't pick, dig or molest plants as there are here for all to enjoy.    

Watercress under water and tree stump

Folklore:  The Persian king, "Xerxes" ordered his solders to eat watercress to keep them healthy in battles and the Greeks believed that eating watercress would make them witty.  It is also been known to be used as a hair growth tonic.