Horticulture in Arkansas

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I returned to Artist Point near Mountainburg, Arkansas to search for the Galearis spectabilis - common name: Showy Orchis. Two years ago, I noticed this plant nestled in the lush moss only a foot or so away from the walking path. I wanted to revist the location the following year to catch the bloom so that I would be able to correctly identify the plant. I failed again. Up until recently, I promised myself to be on time - I would not miss the flower a third time! Sunday as I searched desperately to find the orchid, my mind began to wonder if something had happened: poachers, harsh weather, pollution, physical damage by fallen trees or animals. Having given up, I began to accend up the hillside when I noticed a familiar location next to a young Beech tree. My eyes focused on a little clump of dead orchids. Something did happen, but I am not sure what killed the Showy Orchis.

While in the area, I spotted some of nature's intricate designs:

Erythronium albidum


Urnula craterium

We even decided to stop by the recently completed Lake Fort Smith and see how the fish were doing.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I left for Artist Point in Mountainburg, Arkansas. I was there last year and discovered a unique plant. However, it was not flowering. My plan was to catch the plant in flower so that I would be able to identify it. But once again, the plant had already flowered nor was any fruit attached to the plant. One difference from last year, there seems to be many more of these plants than last year! I wont miss it another year! Ha!

After studying the foliage and the fruit of the plant from last year. I think this plant is Galearis spectabilis. It flowers from April - July (I was totally wrong about going out there this time of year). Anyway, I will be looking for this plant next year! Wish me luck!



Silvia and I were at the end of the trail near the small waterfall. Very wet area, great place for strange creatures! As I was digging through the dead leaves and turning over logs, we discovered a beautiful spotted salamander.