Capital Region Native Plant Society

We’ll forage for Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) at Gray's Crossing located east of the village of Ballston Spa. Come along for a fun outing to search and forage for the young shoots of this edible invasive plant.

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers),
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth),
• snow, freezing rain or sleet, or
• air temperature <32°F.

Join us at Joralemon Memorial Park (Town of Coeymans) as we look for ephemeral spring wildflowers in bloom. The parking area (USE THIS LINK; also the orange area on the trail map) is located along the south side of Starr Road ~0.3 mile north of its intersection with Fares Road (or ~750’ south of the entrance road into the park) – use the directions available from Google Maps by clicking on the “parking area” link above. We’ll gather in the parking area before crossing Starr Road to enter the park. We'll begin by strolling north on the blue trail, then pick up the red trail to continue on before wandering around near The Ledges depicted on the trail map. We’ll then return to the parking area via the red and blue trails. Trail surface is a dirt path with many scattered puddles – please wear proper footwear.

We’re hoping to find some ephemeral spring wildflowers and other blooming beauties along our route.

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).

Join us at Deer Mountain Park (Town of Coeymans) as we look for ephemeral spring wildflowers in bloom. The parking area (shown in the photo) is located along the left side of Deer Mountain Village Road approximately 0.8 mile south of its intersection with Jarvis Road North – use the directions available from Google Maps by clicking on the “Deer Mountain Park” link above. We’ll gather around the picnic pavilion (shown in center of the photo). We'll begin by strolling through the woods along the East Trail to about its midpoint, then return. We’ll continue by strolling along the West Trail through woodland and a swamp (on an elevated boardwalk) to about the midpoint of this trail, then return to the parking area. Trail surface is predominantly a dirt path with many exposed tree roots and rocks and some scattered puddles – please wear proper footwear.

We’re hoping to find some ephemeral spring wildflowers and other blooming beauties along our route.

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers),
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth),
• snow, freezing rain or sleet, or
• air temperature <32°F.

We will stroll along the red trail that crosses a bridge over the pond at Ann Lee Pond Nature and Historic Preserve to experience up close the beauty and fragrance of some spring wildflowers.

We may encounter any of these native blooming beauties:

• Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
• Early Azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)
• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
• Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum)
• Pink Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
• Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)
• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
• Yellow Clintonia (Clintonia borealis)

Learn more about the following native wildflowers, each of which has appeared on my blog, Curious By Nature, as part of my weekly series entitled "What Wildflower Begins Blooming This Week?"

• Early Azalea
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit
• Mayapple
• Painted Trillium
• Yellow Clintonia

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).