- KATHLEEN SCAVONE
- Posted On
The Living Landscape: First flowers
“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.” – Gertrude S. Wister
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Trillium has, in the past decade, beat out all of the other flowers – both wild and cultivated, as the first to arrive, but this year the daffodils beat out the trillium by blooming in January!
Once the trillium was up, in February, it took over the shaded areas pushing up through the detritus of old leaf matter.
Also known as 'tri flower, wakerobin or birthroot, it proliferates all throughout mild regions of North America and even Asia.
Another late winter flower in Lake County is that of the alder tree.
Alder flowers resemble hoards of caterpillars hanging from the bare tree, and prefer moist homes near other moisture-seekers such as bay laurel and cottonwood trees.
These brownish-green appendages are called catkins.
Alder catkins litter the ground and float upon the creek, reminiscent of nature collaborations by artist Andy Goldsworthy.
Some varieties of alder catkins are edible, and boast a high protein content. Lake County Yuki Indians called alder, “Um-se,” while the Pomo Indians named it, “Ga-shet.”
Historically, the tannic acid in the alder allowed for its use in tanning hides, and a dye also could be made from the tree.
Alder bark has been used for everything from smoking fish to various medicinal rubs. There is a town in Austria known as Grossari that depicts a drawing of the alder tree as the town's coat of arms.
Bay laurel trees also are in the running as the first to flower in late winter to early spring.
Their lively yellow flower clusters stand out amongst the glistening green branches of the California bay laurel, or Umbellularia californica, drawing pollinators, such as bees to them.
Bay laurels mature in many habitats – enjoying shade, sun, forest or coast. They belong to the same family as the avocado. When found in dry areas, the bay trees are scrubby in nature, while those near streams take on a much larger form.
Bay laurels have been called California bay, pepperwood tree, balm of heaven and spice bush.
Lake County Pomo Indians called the bay laurel, “Ba hem,” while the Yuki Indians named it, “Pol-cum ol.”
According to the book, “Indian Uses of Native Plants,” California Indians used the fruit of the bay tree by peeling it, then roasting it, then used it as a condiment or pepper.
Bay laurel tree leaves have been dried and used in culinary endeavors for centuries, but have always been removed from the dish prior to serving, as the dried leaves can sometimes be razor-sharp.
Other uses of the bay include decorative wreaths for the home and discouraging ants in the kitchen.
Critters such as woodrats like to include bay leaves in their nests, possibly to prevent fleas and other irritants from taking up residence.
Manzanita's evergreen shrubs bloom in late winter as well. The delicate pink-to-white beauties form in stunning, hanging clusters.
Manzanitas are, thankfully, quite drought resistant. They are located in various habitats, from the coast to woods and mountains in California.
Many California Indian groups enjoyed manzanita's nutritional berries: the Cahuilla, Wailakis, Concow, and also, more local groups such as Pomo and Miwok.
For a fascinating look at the very first flowers, those found in fossils around the world, be sure to check out the PBS DVD, “First Flower” at your local library.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.