[Powdermill Nature Reserve](https://www.carnegiemnh.org/powdermill/index.html), the biological research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has been dedicated to research, education, and conservation for over 50 years. It serves as a site for scientists, students, and families who are interested in the natural world to come and explore. ;xNLx;A wide variety of public education programs serve children and adults throughout the year. Researchers from around the world visit Powdermill to conduct diverse scientific studies in various fields such as botany, entomology, herpetology, and ornithology.;xNLx;;xNLx;Follow the link here to go to the main website: [Powdermill Nature Reserve](https://www.carnegiemnh.org/powdermill/index.html)
Powdermill Nature Reserve, the biological research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, has been dedicated to research, education, and conservation for over 50 years. It serves as a site for scientists, students, and families who are interested in the natural world to come and explore. A wide variety of public education programs serve children and adults throughout the year. Researchers from around the world visit Powdermill to conduct diverse scientific studies in various fields such as botany, entomology, herpetology, and ornithology.
One of the earliest blooming spring wildflowers. Their white flowers open during the day and may last only 1-2 days. The bright red sap of the roots was used by Native Americans to produce dyes.
One of the earliest blooming deciduous shrubs, with a rich, spicy fragrance like cloves.
Also known as liverleaf, is named for its 3-lobed leaves which resemble the lobes of a liver. Its purple flowers bloom in the early spring.
This is the earliest spring “flower” to bloom, attracting flies to its fetid smell.
This small and delicate plant is a real harbinger of spring.
Mottled leaves surround a banana-scented flower.
This early spring flower is said to be deer resistant, but at Powdermill deer eat it when they can get near it.
Toxic native perennial used by American Indians for vomiting.
A bushy plant with saw-toothed leaves and clusters of white flowers. It produces a poisonous bright red fruit. Traditionally used to treat gynecological disorders, but reportedly had negative side effects.
The medicinal properties belong to P. Quinqufolia
Silvery markings on the arrowhead shaped leaves bring light to woodland banks.
Fragrant early spring flowers give way to bright red berries, which smell like familiar old world spices. Larval host plant of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.
This native perennial is the host food plant for the toothwort white, Pieris virginiensis.
A southern species with mottled leaves, also found in Michigan
Evergreen fern for neutral woods.
A distinct species found in wetter places than A. Triphyllum.
Handsome blue flowers in spring.
Evergreen groundcover with narrow leaves.
Evergreen groundcover, foodplant of the American Lady butterfly.
Small bulbs carpet hillsides and floodplains in early spring.
Violet lines on bottom petals and twisted upper petals identify this tiny violet. Climate change has made it bloom later in some areas.
A shy bloomer, the trout lily has more flowers in sunnier locations. Some gardeners feel that the bulbs sink in a natural process, and planting on a small flat rock will prevent this and result in more blooms. The leaves are beautifully mottled with brown spots, which may be why the plant is called “trout lily.”
Carpets the road edges with a blue haze in spring.
This fragile wildflower is the larval host plany for Pieris virginiana,the toothwort white butterfly.
An upright 1-2’ tall plant that blooms blue trumpet shaped flowers in the spring.
This is the only species in the genus, although there are several extinct species described from fossils. The flower stalks are long pointed wands.
Distinguished by pointed petals shaped like triangles.
Green stout thorny climbing shrub to 30’. Leaves leathery, round, shiny, basal leaves heart shaped. Lily family, found in dry woods and thickets. Thorny, not recommended for garden but found in woodlands.
Maroon to deep red or brownish-red flower with 3 petals in the spring. The leaves also come in groups of threes.
A drooping bell wildflower that blooms during the spring. Quite attractive to hummingbirds. Printed.
Looks like tiny laundry on a line. A true spring ephemeral, it will fade away by mid-summer.
An edible onion, which has become a culinary trend. Don’t harvest in the wild; grow your own.
This tiny ground cover thrives on dry slopes and on channery.
The flower petals are bent back over the leaves.
Semi-evergreen leaves and early spring flowers on this barrens plant.
Latin Name: Asarum Canadense Common Name: Wild Ginger Facts and Concepts: A low growing plant with dark heart/kidney shaped leaves and small cup-shaped purple flowers. Although it is not related to culinary ginger, its roots produce a similar smell and Native Americans used them to season food. Seeds or Division: From seeds or division of the rhizomatous roots in fall. Date of Flower: April W3 PNR Garden Name: Shady Woodland Garden Flower Color: Maroon to deep red or brownish-red flower. Forms with green or yellow flowers occur. Flower Height: 6″ Flower Spread: 6-12″ Family Name: Birthwort Environmental: Neutral Woodland Soil Soil Type: Moist Light: Shade to part shade Zones: 3-7
A clump forming woodland plant that has pink saucer shaped flowers that bloom in the spring. Its tissues can be used to produce an astringent that stops bleeding of wounds.
Native to rich woodlands and has an unbranched stem and a leaf whorl where a single white flower emerges in April.
This “weed” of lawns is widespread. An edible native (both flowers and leaves) high in Vitamin C and potassium. Seeds are cleistogamous, producing seeds underground without pollination. Pollination of the flower results in normal seeds.
This plant is grown for its attractive leaves and its tiny, exquisite flowers.
This trillium bears the largest flowers in the genus, sometimes 4″ across. Recurved petals.
The spur is at least as long as the petal blades.
A southern species of Trillium with bent stems.
Found often within colonies of T. Grandiflorum, but much less commonly.
A groundcover that blooms with fragrant, white bottlebrush shaped flowers in the spring.
A smaller species found in moist places. Powdermill has all three species growing on the Black Birch Trail.
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