Mystery, Solved!

We have a winner! Thanks to LilyB, who recommended the Wildflowers and Trees of Western Pennsylvania website, we have determined the common identity of the yellow flowers!

Our answer comes from the gracious Bob Zuberbuhler, author of Wildflowers and Trees of Western Pennsylvania. Here is what Bob had to say:

“I think the flowers you photographed are Lesser celandines, Ranunculus ficaria, in the buttercup family. I've never found one in Western PA, but understand they are more common in the eastern part of the state. The 9 petals are consistent with a buttercup, and the leaves look a lot like those of the Lesser celandine.

Please don't hesitate to send on any further unknowns; I enjoy trying to figure them out.

Hope you enjoy PA.

Bob”

Thanks for all your help Bob, and thank you to all the Arborealists who offered suggestions, thoughts, and other ideas! I appreciate everyone’s input with our ongoing discoveries.

A touch of sunshine, and voilà!

Yesterday's incredibly bright sun did indeed coax open the flowers, along with more green leaves. As you can see, it was one seriously sunny day - the tree shadow is what really allows us to enjoy the flowers in this image. So, any new thoughts on what this might be? I'll keep searching!

Here's a thought: perhaps this is another type of ranunculus? I just learned that one of my favorite flowers, the columbine, is also a part of the ranunculus family... who'd have guessed?

I spent yesterday afternoon with the landlady and learned many new things about the surrounding trees and plants on the farm, as well as their history. There is so much to share!

Just around the tree trunk

Located just outside my cottage are several large trees. They line the lawn which extends down into the lower fields of the farm. These trees are my constant companions, and a wonderful source of inspiration.

If you peek around the trunks of these trees, and step over the daffodils into the brush, you will find an enormous patch of the unidentified yellow flowers and their lily pad shaped leaves.

I think that these flowers need a bright sunny day to open them up all the way. Today brings a warm morning, and there is nary a cloud in the sky!

Sunset under the trees

I’ve been waiting all week for this tiny patch of mystery to blossom! Does anyone know the name of this little plant? She grows quietly under the trees next to my cottage, and looks wonderful in the setting sunlight.

The road to recovery is paved with springtime discovery

Greetings Arborealists! I hope that you all had a wonderful week and a fabulous full moon. As for me, I woke up in the dark of Monday morning with a terrible flu! After being unable to do almost anything all week long, I am finally starting to feel semi-normal. And guess what happened while I was sick in bed?

This…

and THIS…

and this…

and these...

and of course, these too...

Yes, while I was sick in bed, Springtime decided to make herself known. And so, with three more days until the Vernal Equinox, here in eastern Pennsylvania we at last see the beginnings of the coming season in the most beautiful of places.

What wonders hide beneath the earth, just waiting for the sun and rain to coax them forth again!