Locust Blooming, Fringe Tree, Poppy, Wood Poppy, Dames Rocket

There seems to be more dame's rocket this year, growing with the common relative garlic mustard. The picture was from early in the month, at the top of Rolandvue hill. This is another of those ambivalent plants, pretty blossoms, sweet smell in the evening, but moderately invasive. It is a Eurasia native, escaped from early gardens. It is a broccoli relative as well so the unopened flowers can be foraged, nutritionally similar to broccoli.

four petalled flowers of Dame's rocket, possible foraging since  invasive

The wood poppies have moved from Cloverlea to Rolandvue, along the western end.  Birds or animals may have spread the seeds, but not sure what happened to the original colony. Another semi-invasive but with attractive flowers.

Wood poppy has moved from Cloverlea to Rolandvue  west end on the north side.

This was an off-site curiosity, a poppy growing along the north central trail at mile 12. This could be a volunteer, or a entrepreneur starting a growth business.  There were a dozen plants. Not sure of the species or how productive the plant might be.

The fringe trees on the east side of Rolandvue hill were mentioned last year but this year caught the blossoms better, with a view of the characteristic multiple trunks.  This is a native tree that is under appreciated. I did not catch the fruit production in the fall and will look for that this year, attracts birds.

pair of Fringe trees along Rolandvue,hardy native trees

fringe tree blossoms 

characteristic multiple trunks of the fringe tree


Finally, a prominent feature of the country side  from early May has been the blooming locust trees.  I may have been more tuned to the locust since they were mentioned last year as being forage material(pod), invasive and subject to breakage. This is a tree along the Goucher trail that was downed by a spring storm.  It is still bearing the numerous white flowers. The rough bark is shown as well.  The grove of locust has lasted fifty years, they grow quickly and provide shade for previously open ares.

locust blossoms seen along every road side, here from fallen tree at Goucher

rough bark of a locust tree