Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.
Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).
What is this miniature ice formation? Photo by Patricia Jaquith.
Frostweed.
This is frostweed (Helianthemum canadense). In the summer, this perennial has yellow flowers that last only one day each. In the late fall, ice crystals form on the sap that exudes from the plant’s stem, creating frosty formations. Other common names for this two-trick plant include rock frost, frostplant, and frostwort.
This week’s contest winner was Karl Hallen of DeRuyter, NY