Exceptional Clarity

We were walking about where the remains of the bedrock ridge dip into glacial gravel deposits.  This area is unique in the natural cycles that play out here.  Huge quantities of snow melt water pour into this area but no signs of surface runoff are ever seen.  Water stained snow works its way across some of the meadow but never reaches the point of sharply lower ground.

Three Cardinal Flower plants were placed near an occasional spring run in the hope that these plants could reproduce here.  That is a long shot at best but the attempt was free.  Today we discovered a jumble of three rather large chunks of ridge stone protruding out of the ground very close to the red flowers.  Gaps between those stones may allow the water to drain away keeping this spot moist but never submerged.

This picture reveals two special qualities.  One is the clear brilliance of the flower color that exceeds displays in our gardens.  That difference may be the result of generous soil moisture or a partially shaded location.  The clear image of a single open flower is rarely seen.  Flowering begins at the base of the raceme and works its way toward the top with one flower opening over the next.  Here a single open flower is surrounded by buds.  The buds are rather long and the seeds form deep at the base where the bud is surrounded by green.  How the pollen grains travel that great distance is a puzzle but the length of a humming bird's tongue may be a factor.  Three flower petals droop downward while two others resemble arms reaching toward heaven.  The white tipped tube is part of the reproducing organ.  There is nothing simple or easy about this plant.

Close by we found this area that is frequently flooded.  The usual pernicious field grasses are naturally absent from this spot while tufts of grasses usually seen near the pond leave some open ground.  This spot will receive several Cardinal Flower plants to see if they will grow here.  This area is in the shadow of the ridge and the snow cover lingers here.  Some natural protection from hard frosts might be found here helping the tender new growth to survive.  We know that a location where Cardinal Flower can survive long term is incredibly rare but we will persist in trying to find one.