Early Spring Flora of Little River Park

	Blueberry Vaccinium spp. White, sometimes pink flowers are bell shaped and often droop downward. Produces small, dark purple berries. Found in acidic soils along forest edges or open woodland. Blooms from March to May.
	Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis White flowers appear on individual stalks among the dark green, lobed leaves. Toxic - do not ingest. Blooms from March to April.
	Chickasaw Plum Prunus angustifolia Clusters of small, white flowers with 5 petals which produce a tart fruit in late summer. Grows on forest edges, meadows, and open woodlands. Blooms from February to May.
	Cranefly Orchid Tipularia discolor Produces a single leaf in the fall which is green with a purple underside. Leaf stays green throughout winter then disappears. There are no leaves when the orchid blooms. A flowering stem 15-20 inches long originates from the corm below ground. Moths are attracted to the blooms. Grows in pine-oak forests with rich acidic soil. Blooms from July through September.
	Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides The leaflets have a lobe that has the appearance of a toe of a Christmas stocking. The fiddleheads are also distinctive, with silvery, white scales. Prefers forests, rocky slopes.
	Ebony Spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron Sterile fronds are only 2-6 in. long, have short, blunt, alternate leaflets, and are evergreen. Fertile fronds are 1-2 ft. long, erect-arching, and bear short, alternate leaflets below and longer, opposite leaflets above. Fronds occur in loose clusters, arising from the clumping rootstock.
	Greenbriar Smilax spp. Tough, woody, high-climbing vine in the Lily family. It spreads from long, slender rhizomes. Along the stems are stout, flattened prickles. The smooth leaves have short stems and are bright green on both sides, with rounded to heart-shaped bases. The flowers are greenish to bronze, and the berries are green when young and blue-black at maturity.
	Heartleaf Ginger Hexastylis virginica Large evergreen, heart-shaped leaves mottled with lighter green. Flowers are dark red-brown to green-brown growing at ground level. Occurs in rich deciduous forests. Flowers from April - May.
	Liverleaf Hepatica americana A member of the buttercup family, it is native to the eastern United States and to central and eastern Canada. The leaves have three rounded lobes and grows to 4 inches tall and broad. It blooms in early spring, March - June with blue or blue-purple flowers on several hairy stalks.
	Pennywort Obolaria virginica Low growing perennial with thick, rounded, purplish-green leaves. Flowers are white to lavender in color, growing in clusters of 3 in the axils of the upper leaves. Prefers rich, deciduous forest. Blooms March through May.
	Pipsissewa Chimaphila maculata Evergreen leaves veined with white, grows from rhizome. Nodding white flowers in cluster of 2-3. Found in upland pine and deciduous forests.
	Running Cedar Lycopodium spp. Also known as clubmoss or ground pines, they are related to ferns and reproduce through spores. Prefers rich, moist soils. Provides habitat for amphibians and reptiles.
	Spicebush Lindera benzoin Aromatic shrub grows 3-9 feet tall with thin, oval leaves. Clusters of yellow flowers appear before leaves. Brilliant yellow leaves and red berries in fall. Food source for Spicebush swallowtail caterpillar, birds such as Thrushes and Veerys eat berries.
	Spring Beauty Claytonia virginica Distinct pink lines on white petals. Corms produce several stems which can produce up to a dozen flowers. Found in low, rich forests. Blooms from March to April.
	Cutleaf Toothwort Dentaria laciniata Leaves deeply divided in group of three grow from fleshy tuber. Small cluster of white to pink flowers on single stem. Blooms March through July.
	Trout Lily Erythronium americanum Trout lilies are easy to recognize by their wide, spotted leaves and nodding yellow flower. They grow in colonies along the wooded slopes of the river. Blooms from late February to May.
	Rue Anemone Thalictrum thalictroides White to pinkish flowers with 5-10 petals. Flowers in loose clusters above whorls of three -lobed leaves. Grows on wooded slopes and ridges. Blooms from March to May.
	Atamasco Lily Zephyranthes atamasco Found in wet meadows and low woods. Long, narrow leaves and funnel shaped flowers which turn from white to pink after being pollinated. Blooms from March to April.

Park Programs for March 2019



We've also added a Volunteer Workday on March 2nd and a Wildflower Walk on March 16th. Call the Park Office for more info: 919-732-5505.



Public Input Sought for Park Planning

Little River is currently developing a Master Plan to guide long term planning and development of the park and its facilities and offerings. Please take a moment to contribute to the future of the park by completing this brief survey. Thanks!


Link to Survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/littleriverparksurvey

Winter Walk Species Identification

Our Tiny Trekkers discovered some great stuff this morning and we just wanted to share the names and some info on a few things we found.

Running Cedar - this is a member of the clubmoss family and like other mosses, this plant produces spores in order to reproduce. It gets its name from the cedar bough like appearance of the plant. This evergreen was once used as Christmas decoration but so much of it was used, the plant was almost wiped out. 

Pipsissewa - also known as striped wintergreen. Its round, white, drooping flowers appear around late July. Indigenous tribes used this plant to treat gall stones, rheumatism and as a poultice on wounds. 

 

Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar - the caterpillar is covered with many tufts of fine bristles that can be white, yellow or orange. They also have longer "pencil hairs" at the front and back ends. The adults (moths) eat decaying plants with high alkaloid content which gives them a strong chemical defense against predators.

Programs and Events for December 2018

It's December already?! The park hours are from 8am - 5pm until the end of February. The park will be closed on December 24 & December 25. Here's what's happening at the park this month:

 

Tiny Trekkers: Winter Walk

Monday, December 3, 10am-11am

 

We’ll take a stroll along a trail and explore how the forest changes in winter. Maybe a story but probably no crafts for this program. Meet at the Large Shelter. Ages 3- 5 years; free.

 

Hike It Baby© - Hike with a Ranger

Saturday, December 8, 10am

 

Little River is teaming up with Hike It Baby/Durham to host a hike along the park’s beautiful trails. Baby backpacks and off-road strollers welcome. Call the park office for more information: 919-732-5505. Meet at the Large Shelter. All ages; free.

 

 

Star Gazing with Morehead Planetarium

Friday, December 14, 6:30pm-8:30pm

 

The fine folks from Morehead Planetarium will bring out the high power telescopes and give us a tour of the night sky. Bring a blanket, camp chairs or your own telescope or binoculars. Be sure to call the park office after 4pm for cloud/cancellation updates: 919-732-5505. Meet in the Play Meadow. All ages; free.

 

Registration is open for the Little River Trail Runs

 

Mark your race calendar for January 19, 2019 as we get set for the 14^th Annual Little River Trail Runs. Go to the Trailheads website for race details and the links to register:  https://www.trailheads.org/lrtr. There will be 10 mile and 7k distance options.

 

Free programs made possible by donations from the Little River Trail Runs and the Trailheads Running Club. 

 

 

Have a great December and we'll see you next year!