West Virginia Ephemerals

Virginia Heartleaf

 I had an opportunity to do just a little hiking this week. Yesterday it was a quick walk into Piney River Canyon near Beckley. The only thing I found was these Virginia Heartleaf. I suppose saying 'the only thing' is not  a good choice, because it is the first real ephemeral of the Spring and it means that this is the begining of a great Spring.

Virginia Heartleaf

Trout Lilly

Today, I had a spare grandson. (The grand kids outnumber their parents so during ball season there is a spare one or two around most of the time which needs transported to practice or otherwise entertained.) I told this one we were going to Camp Creek to look for Trout Lillies and he was ready to go, except he thought I said playground. Well, we spent a fair amount of time at the playground and throwing rocks in the creek but did hike up a forest road and saw Trout Lillies in their prime. The weather has been great and tomorrow heavy rain starts.

Trout Lilly

Trout Lilly

Trillium and Hepatica were up and Brush Creek Nature Preserve should be amazing in about 1-1/2 weeks 

Hepatica

Piney Canyon

Piney Canyon is home to Piney River, an important feature in the history of Beckley, WV.  It was a travel route by foot and horse and then a railroad for timber and coal. The cities founder had a grist mill on its waters.It is relatively quite today with only an occasional train. The coal mines are gone, the early 20th century community has vanished with almost no trace. It is a great place to hike and spot wildflowers. I had another after school event, so I spent an hour or so hiking into and then out of the canyon, once again in shirt and tie like a country gentleman.

#40- Foam Flower

#41- Sweet White Violet

Mixed Group- Spurred Violet, Chickweed and Sweet White Violet

Red Trillium