I was just commenting to Phil that I hadn’t seen an Indian Pipe wildflower yet this summer. And then, not even 5 minutes later, there was one on the side of the John Kendrick Woods Trail. It was perfect, under the tree with a little bit of sun shining on it.
Indian Pipe, a whitish, waxy, scaly stalk with nodding bell-shaped flowers, does not contain chlorophyll, so it doesn’t photosynthesize. Its nutrients come from decaying matter. They bloom in the rich woods from July through September, so you still have time to see it.
Have you ever seen one?
So many people have been asking about the 5 clearings on the Red Maple Swamp Trail at Fort Hill. We bumped into one of the experts and a ranger the other day and they told us the story: (Click on blog link for other photo.)
The reason that they have cleared these areas is because many invasive plants have taken over this area and killed the Red Maple trees. Clearing the land, the trees are able to self-germinate and grow because it is an open area full of sun. The small white stakes that you see are Red Maple seedlings that the park service has planted.
They have already seen much progress and hope that the Red Maple trees will again be the dominant trees in this area.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a view of Nauset Marsh that wasn’t just gorgeous. Each one is unique and spectacular! Don’t you agree? The sky is so pretty…
The Crown Vetch wildflowers are blooming all over Cape Cod and are just gorgeous! Crown Vetch are a bicolored flower which form golf-ball size clusters at the end of stalks. They are a creeping plant which makes a nice ground cover.
I took this photograph on the Nauset Marsh Trail past the amphitheater at the Visitors Center.
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
