Seen This Week: Forest Flowers and Whorled Leaves

Bluebead lily, Clintonia borealis, Forbes State Forest near Spruce Flats Bog, 29 May 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) 30 May 2026 This week I went birding with friends in the Laurel Highlands at Bear Run and in the Forbes State Forest near Spruce Flats Bog. Even on a bright sunny day the tree canopy was so dense that the ground was mostly in shadow. This made it challenging to take good photographs. At top, bluebead lily or yellow clintonia (Clintonia borealis) is always in the shade. Below, the whorled leaves of wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) are eye-catching. This whorl does not have flowers but even if it did the flowers are inconspicuous compared to this striking set of leaves. Wild yam leaves at Bear Run Nature Reserve, 28 May 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) Indian cucumber (Medeola virginiana) starts off as a whorl of 5-12 leaves. Whorled leaves of Indian cucumber, Bear Run Nature Reserve, 28 May 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) When it flowers it grows a second tier of leaves that hides…