The Butternut Valley Alliance will sponsor “Ephemerals and Edibles,” a nature appreciation event on June 5 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.  The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at Elmwood, property of Leslie and Kathleen Stroh, located on Peet Road in Morris.

 

 

Spring ephemerals are perennial woodland wildflowers which develop stems, leaves, and flowers and bloom early, go to seed and then quickly die back to their underground parts (roots, rhizomes, and bulbs) for the remainder of the year.   Examples of ephemerals likely to be identified are bloodroot, white and red trillium, trout lily and jack-in-the-pulpit.

 

“There should be stands of them and they are fun to find,” Stroh said.

 

In addition to ephemeral flowering plants, participants will also identify invasive species – plants which do not occur naturally in a specific area and whose introduction often harms the environment, the economy, or human health.  Invasives present on the Stroh property identified to date are honeysuckle, rosa multiflora, Japanese knot weed, burdock, and thorn apple (hawthorn).

 

For edibles, Stroh is looking forward to serving up a ramps and fiddlehead salad at a potluck picnic which will also be part of the event.  He also hopes to find wild asparagus and the May apples should be ripe.

 

Part of the walk is near a swamp, so participants should assume there will be wet spots and wear appropriate foot gear.  Stroh encourages participants to bring their cameras to photograph the flora found.

 

Participants may also wish to snap a picture of the Stroh’s stately federal style stone house built in 1821.  The house has known only three owners – the Morris’s, the Lull’s and the Stroh’s and is listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places as the “Morris-Lull Farm.”  The Stroh’s have been restoring the interior in a way that respects its period of origin.

 

Also on the property will be an informal outdoor sculpture show featuring works by local artists and students.

 

Guests are invited to bring a dish to pass for a potluck picnic which will begin at 3:30. Water will be provided but guests may bring their beverage of choice as well. 

 

Peet Road is one mile South of Morris at the Green Barn. Elmwood is on the other side of the bridge. 

 

Registration for the event is required.  Those wishing to participate should call Jack Maier at 263-5411 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or email jack.maier@rugnewsanddesign.com

 

The event is sponsored by the Butternut Valley Association, Otsego County Conservation Association, and New York Flora Association, Otsego 2000 and America the Beautiful.