Euphorbia myrsinites in Spring

This is Myrtle Euphorbia (Euphorbia myrsinites). Picture taken March 29, 2010. It has lasted through the winter in fine shape.

Link to previous post on this Euphorbia myrsinites:

Hyacinths

Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) at the foot of the tulip tree at Horticulture Gardens. Picture taken March 26, 2010.

Link to Hyacinth:

Link to Hyacinthus orientalis:

Link to Hyacinthus orientalis:

Drumstick primrose

Drumstick primrose (Primula denticulata), at Purdue Horticulture Gardens. This has been in flower for several days now. Picture taken March 26, 2010.

Link to Primula denticulata:

Link to Primula denticulata:

Primula denticulata is native the the Himalayas. The primrose family of plants includes our native shooting-star (Dodecatheon meadia).

Link to primrose family (Primulaceae):

Link to last spring's post on shooting-star (Dodecatheon meadia):

First daffodil flower

This daffodil just appeared today, the first one at Hort Gardens. The rest of them will be coming very soon. Picture taken March 19, 2010. Spring equinox is tomorrow March 20.

The tree in the background is this tulip tree:

Link to spring equinox:

Scilla

Scilla, could be Scilla mischtschenkoana. Pictures taken March 17, 2010.

Link to Scilla mischtschenkoana:

Link to Scilla mischtschenkoana:

Link to Scilla:

Reticulated iris

This is Iris cristata or something closely related to Iris cristata. The native Iris cristata has pale lavender color flowers and can be found in parts of southern Indiana. Picture taken March 17, 2010.

Link to Iris reticulata:

Link to Iris cristata:

Link to Iris cristata:

Link to Iris cristata:

Link to Iris lacustris:

Link to Iris lacustris:

Link to Iris cristata distribution map:

Revision 3/19: Iris reticulata appears to be a much closer match with this iris, post title changed from Dwarf crested iris to Reticulated Iris.

Periwinkle

A few periwinkle blossoms are showing up already. Vinca minor 'Bowles'. Pictures taken March 16, 2010.


The Vinca minor flowers that are shown in the top picture are from this patch. Green plants in the background are unopened daffodils. Note the smooth grey bark of the tree in back, that is this juneberry tree:

Link to Vinca minor 'Bowles':

Link to Vinca minor:

Lycoris in March

These are resurrection lilies (Lycoris squamigera). The leaves disappear long before the flowers pop out of the ground. The sign didn't show up well in the photo, but you can use it to help find where these plants are located. This picture was taken March 16, 2010.

Link to previous post when the Lycoris was flowering last August:

Orris root

Orris root (Iris pallida 'Variegata'), showing some early spring growth. Picture taken March 1, 2010.

Link to Iris pallida:

Link to Iris pallida:

Link to orris root:

Conium maculatum

This is poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). This also is at Purdue Horticulture Gardens, but it's an unintended plant that showed up here on its own. Conium maculatum is a cool-season plant that is green and growing even in the late winter when snow is on the ground. It's not native to Indiana but it's very common here wherever the land has been disturbed and unattended. Picture taken March 1, 2010.

Link to Conium maculatum:

Link to Conium maculatum:

Link to Conium maculatum:

Winter aconite

Winter aconite (Eranthis) just started showing the yellow flower buds yesterday, March 3, 2010. This is at Purdue Horticulture gardens. You can also find winter aconite at Clegg Gardens, east of Lafayette.

None of the early-blooming plants in the last three posts (aconite, snowdrops, daffodils) are native to Indiana. All of them are poisonous. This time of year there is not much for rodents to eat, the poison could be a strategy these early plants have to keep their whole populations from being consumed by hungry mice.

Link to Eranthis:

Link to Eranthis:

Link to Eranthis:

Link to Clegg Gardens:

Galanthus

Snowdrops (Galanthus) are emerging and will flower very soon. These snowdrops are a few steps from the entrance to the greenhouse at Purdue Horticulture Gardens. Picture taken March 2, 2010.

Link to Galanthus:

Daffodils are emerging

These daffodils (Narcissus sp.) are emerging from their underground bulbs, at Purdue Horticulture Gardens on the Purdue campus. Flowers coming soon. Pictures taken March 1, 2010.

Link to daffodil: