Spring Ephemerals VNPS Members Walk

Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 pm

Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve

Spring is finally here and next week should be a great time to visit our early floral friends at Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve in Lancaster.  Next week’s weather forecast is sunny to mostly sunny with some rains forecasted but Thursday the 10th looks just perfect for spring botanical walk. We will meet in the Hickory Hollow parking lot at 1 pm.

This is a member-only walk but feel free to bring a non-member friend(s).  Novices and experts alike are welcome, and the walk will be led by Chapter President Betsy Washington and Vice President Kevin Howe. We plan to hike to Cabin Swamp, the globally rare seepage swamp, but members can walk as long or as far as they wish.

A visit to the Preserve yesterday revealed such blooming spring ephemerals as Pennywort – the March’s Plant of the Month, along with Trout Lilies, Serviceberry, Northern Spicebush, Violets, Marsh Marigolds, Golden Ragwort, Virginia Heartleaf, and Pussytoes. We expect more next week!

If you cannot make the walk, we suggest you visit soon as some of these ephemerals, such as the Trout Lilies bloom only for a few days. Incidentally, the name Trout Lilly comes from their beautifully speckled leaves which early European settlers thought looked like the sides of our native Brook Trout.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS to Hickory Hollow: From Kilmarnock, follow VA 3 towards Lancaster. Just before you reach Lancaster, turn right onto Reginia Rd., VA 604. The preserve is on your left.   Please Join Us.

Any questions, please send an email to nnvnps@gmail.com.