How absolutely fascinating! It takes extra study and patience to cultivate our little native plants, I wish your Bloodroots well! The intricacy of the interactions is so fascinating - we wanted to introduce some Pink Lady Slipper Orchids into a new area but learned that they have such delicate relationships with the fungus in the soil that transplants rarely survive. Amazing how well they do in the wild with all these quite specific needs and conditions!
Thanks for the info about the seeds and ants. I have quite a few on my acreage and occasionally transplant some to areas where they are not in hopes that they will proliferate on their own. I do the same with Sweet Williams, Blue Bells, Wild garlic (Ramps), and White Trillium. Jack-in-the-Pulpit seems to spread by the seeds that I collect and spread. Columbine spread well from seed if the competition is tolerable. I love the season that is soon to arrive, especially for the woodland flowers. A key thing to do is to remove invasive honeysuckle and garlic mustard. The spreading of these flowers and the native trees and bushes that I've planted will be my legacy (I am 81).
Absolutely, best of luck. You are a real scientist! I learn something wonderful with every article you post. How marvelous that ants have a more important role than invading my kitchen every spring. Thanks for giving me a better appreciation of them.
Great article, Diane! I love my bloodroot plants. I think my Celandine poppy seeds are also spread by ants in this way. Nature is amazing, and everything has its place.
Hi Diane, I am on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. I was given the bloodroot plant and told it was not native to our area but that it should do okay. It died back the first year and though it came back, it was sparse and did not seem long for this world. Perhaps it needed a sunnier springtime location as you are describing. Or, perhaps I should not be introducing it to our area? hmm? Lord knows we have oodles of wonderful native plants that I can focus on here! 🤗
Oh yes you have my wish for luck, too! I live in the land of ant hills! Usually many per acre of any land free of development. Many different types of ants, too. Some of their paths stretch for very long distances across fields and are easily visible with ant traffic in both directions. Many carrying anything from fallen brethren to a single tiny seed or working together to hoist the remains of a butterfly or caterpillar. I believe they also help peonies open by nibbling along the outer petals of the buds.
Sadly, I knew nothing of how bloodroots have a two-year cycle and gave one the old heave-ho when it was looking poorly and hadn't bloomed. 😥 I think the striking simple white flowers would be worth the wait and will look for a replacement. And I want to see those red seeds and elaiosome! And over time see where the ants plant them. 😄
How persistent and intrepid you have to be to get these to grow from seed! Thanks for another weird and wonderful observation of coevotion, and a new word that I promptly forgot*.....and good luck!
What a great bit to learn today! Thank you!
How absolutely fascinating! It takes extra study and patience to cultivate our little native plants, I wish your Bloodroots well! The intricacy of the interactions is so fascinating - we wanted to introduce some Pink Lady Slipper Orchids into a new area but learned that they have such delicate relationships with the fungus in the soil that transplants rarely survive. Amazing how well they do in the wild with all these quite specific needs and conditions!
I sent your story out to family and friends every where. What fun !
Thanks for the info about the seeds and ants. I have quite a few on my acreage and occasionally transplant some to areas where they are not in hopes that they will proliferate on their own. I do the same with Sweet Williams, Blue Bells, Wild garlic (Ramps), and White Trillium. Jack-in-the-Pulpit seems to spread by the seeds that I collect and spread. Columbine spread well from seed if the competition is tolerable. I love the season that is soon to arrive, especially for the woodland flowers. A key thing to do is to remove invasive honeysuckle and garlic mustard. The spreading of these flowers and the native trees and bushes that I've planted will be my legacy (I am 81).
So amazing! My appreciation for ants continues to grow…
You are a delightful observer, educating me every time I stop by.
My son documented the construction of an amazing ant hill in a sun pattered area in the woods on Vancouver Island.
It’s three feet high! The ants collected “twigs” hardly bigger than themselves, and carefully built their home. Twig by twig.
A bear stopped by one day and tried to break through but could not, and the disruption was quickly put right again by the team of workers.
Bless the observers, for they will be rewarded with many a smile.
Wal, Bloody Fascinatin', Mateys!! Who'd a thought?!
Another amazing example of Symbiosis in action!
Mom-Nature knows what She's doin'!!
And YOU are in the Mix, Diane!!!😁🌻
Absolutely, best of luck. You are a real scientist! I learn something wonderful with every article you post. How marvelous that ants have a more important role than invading my kitchen every spring. Thanks for giving me a better appreciation of them.
You continue to amaze me and grab my attention with your knowledge and experience, which captures the beauty of nature!
Great article, Diane! I love my bloodroot plants. I think my Celandine poppy seeds are also spread by ants in this way. Nature is amazing, and everything has its place.
Hi Diane, I am on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. I was given the bloodroot plant and told it was not native to our area but that it should do okay. It died back the first year and though it came back, it was sparse and did not seem long for this world. Perhaps it needed a sunnier springtime location as you are describing. Or, perhaps I should not be introducing it to our area? hmm? Lord knows we have oodles of wonderful native plants that I can focus on here! 🤗
Oh yes you have my wish for luck, too! I live in the land of ant hills! Usually many per acre of any land free of development. Many different types of ants, too. Some of their paths stretch for very long distances across fields and are easily visible with ant traffic in both directions. Many carrying anything from fallen brethren to a single tiny seed or working together to hoist the remains of a butterfly or caterpillar. I believe they also help peonies open by nibbling along the outer petals of the buds.
Sadly, I knew nothing of how bloodroots have a two-year cycle and gave one the old heave-ho when it was looking poorly and hadn't bloomed. 😥 I think the striking simple white flowers would be worth the wait and will look for a replacement. And I want to see those red seeds and elaiosome! And over time see where the ants plant them. 😄
I so love your patient observant eyes that see all that happens around your yard and in your forest.
How persistent and intrepid you have to be to get these to grow from seed! Thanks for another weird and wonderful observation of coevotion, and a new word that I promptly forgot*.....and good luck!
*elaiosomes
Pity the poor fiction writers--who could make up a story more surprising? Thank you so much for sharing.
Fascinating! Thank you 😊