Wet, Wild, and Rare: Understanding Michigan’s Fens and Bogs Recap by Sandra Bergh, Wild Ones River City Vice President and Programs Chair Our March program, “Wet, Wild, and Rare: Understanding Michigan’s Fens and Bogs”, was held on March 16 as a Zoom Webinar. Our speaker, Ben Botwinski, is the director of the Lansing Public Schools’ Ebersole […] Continue reading "March 2026 Program Recap"
Natives to Know: Yellow Trout Lily, Erythronium americanumCompiled by Joyce Tuharsky, Wild Ones Member When Yellow trout lilies start blooming on the forest floor, it is a quiet sign that spring has begun. These flowers are cherished for their lily-like shape with 6 bright yellow tepals that curve elegantly back, exposing 6 prominent brown stamens […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Yellow Trout Lily"
The Birds Thank You for Native Plants! Compiled by Joyce Tuharsky, Wild Ones River City Chapter Member Native plants produce berries and other fruits that provide crucial, high-energy food for birds in winter, when other food is limited. The following plants help birds survive the coldest months: Dogwoods (Cornus sp.): Dogwood berries appear in early […] Continue reading "The Birds Thank You for Native Plants!"
Bluebead Lily, Clintonia borealisBy Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Bluebead lilies are charming woodland perennials that emerge in early spring with simple, smooth, glossy leaves that grow wide and strappy. Each plant has 2 to 4 curved leaves, up to 12 inches long, with parallel veins, including a prominent central vein. Before its blooms appear, this […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Bluebead Lily"
Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus By Joyce Tuharsky, WORC Member Thimbleberries are native to western North America from California to Alaska and in some northern areas of the continental U.S. such as the cool, moist, coastal regions of the Great Lakes. In Michigan specifically, Thimbleberries are found on Isle Royal, throughout much of the upper peninsula, and […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Thimbleberry"