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!).
The Northeast’s recent blast of summer-like weather set in motion some early spring buds and blossoms. To what plant do these speckled leaves belong?
Rattlesnake-plantain.
These leaves belong to that of a checkered rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera tesselata), a member of the Orchid family. In July, this plant will send up a single stalk of white flowers on loose, spiraling spikes.
This week’s contest winner was Ginny Remeika of Pownal, ME