As daffodils, cherry blossoms and other domesticated flowers are blooming in yards all over New Haven, wildflowers such as marsh marigolds, trout lilies and spring beauties are showing their colors as well. Enjoying them just requires a little more effort.
In Connecticut Wildlife (2004), Geoffrey A. Hammerstein notes that nearly all early spring wildflowers are perennials, having stored enough resources during the previous year to produce flowers now instead of later. They typically bloom prior to the formation of a leaf canopy, when more sunlight reaches the forest floor. Aptly called spring ephemerals, these plants flower, produce seeds and soon die back, leaving primarily underground plant structures until the next spring. Poking through the leaf litter in Connecticut forests, their delicate, short-lived blooms are like the prizes of a natural scavenger hunt.
So, hunting I went. Bright sunshine and a warm breeze greeted me as I headed into the woods at the Van Wie, Stony Creek Quarry, Hoadley Creek and Brooks R. Kelley Preserves in Branford. These and other locations are managed by the Branford Land Trust with the aim of protecting local natural resources. Forming a contiguous area with several walking trails, these preserves surround the active, off-limits Stony Creek Quarry. Trail relics including an old thick metal cable and large slabs of granite hinted at the quarry’s 150-year mining history.
The Green trail meandered up and down, over hills and rocky outcrops, but was never particularly steep. Coming over one rise, a bit of color among the leaves caught my searching eye, so I bent down for a closer look. No wildflowers yet, though. Instead, several large and brightly patterned bird feathers glistened in the sun.
When I came to a fork, I went right, then right again at another fork, thinking I might peek into the quarry area noted on my map. When I was close enough to hear the sound of machinery in the distance, several signs indicated the danger of getting closer to the edge. Tempting as it was to explore further, I heeded their warnings, retracing my steps and picking up the Pink trail instead.
A chorus of birdsong provided a pleasant soundtrack as I scanned the brown leaves and emerging greenery on the forest floor for a pop of color. Turning west on the Pink/Blue trail, I descended from a low ridge to a small stream. There, in the moist ground near the flowing water, I hit paydirt: yellow trout lilies scattered between the rocks and roots. Single yellow flowers nodded downward on each stem, above mottled green and brown leaves. On many of the blooms, the petals curved backward, revealing the brown stamens inside.
Stepping onto the small bridge to cross the water, I noticed some marsh marigolds, members of the buttercup family. Growing in clumps at the water’s edge and in shallow areas of the stream, the sunny yellow blossoms were surrounded by green foliage and swayed in the slight breeze. While attempting to photograph them—and not trample any plants or get wet feet—I startled two frogs that had been sunning nearby, a bonus nature sighting. Satisfied for now, I picked up my pace as the now-Blue trail turned to Green and headed south to my car.
A few days later, another spring morning dawned mostly clear and I ventured to a second Branford Land Trust property, the Branford Supply Ponds, which connects to other preserves as well. From the northernmost parking area next to the ponds, I started exploring the Orange trail. The air was fresh and birds were plentiful. The terrain seemed promising for wildflowers, although, in a long stretch to the right, the woodland floor was instead carpeted with non-native periwinkle.
I doubled back and then headed up the Blue trail into the woods, where some trees showed damage from heavy storms of past years. Just when I thought the brush and downed trunks must be hiding the small plants I was looking for, I rounded a corner to find several patches of spring beauties. Earning their name, these delicate flowers, less than an inch across, had gorgeous veins of purple on white petals with touches of yellow towards the middle. After capturing some photos, I continued along the path, turning right a few times to return to the parking area.
There were some spring ephemerals I was hoping to see but didn’t, like dutchman’s breeches and bloodroot. But the real prize was something any of us can find: time spent roaming our local woods.
Written and photographed by Stephanie Wratten. This updated story was originally published on April 22, 2021.
