Now that we're finally getting warm, spring weather perfect for woods walks and ephemeral planting, OE updated our scavenger hunt and woods activities for the end of May. While K-3 has been planting ephemerals (mostly bluebells), some of the 4th and 5th grade classes have been solving riddles and identifying plants. Want to play along? Here's the worksheet they were given for this activity (scroll down for answers and some accompanying pictures):
(1) I look like a large umbrella under which I hide my white flower. Find me in the GOLDFINCH plot right near the top of the main trail to the classroom circle.
What am I?
(2) I have three big oval leaves on each stem and above these leaves (in the middle) a dark red flower with 3 petals. There is a big cluster of these plants in the GOLDFINCH plot along the new trail that cuts through the middle of the plot. Look next to the big white oak.
What am I?
(3) My blue flowers have been blooming all over in the Crestwood woods for weeks! My flowers are in clusters. They are blue and bell-shaped, which gives me my name. Find me in the CARDINAL plot near the bend in the path.
What am I?
(4) You’ll notice my unique leaves right away. I look like a prehistoric plant right out of Jurassic park. That is because my type of plant is older than the dinosaurs. I have many upright stalks that grow direct from the ground. My fronds have many leaflets that grow off the main stem. Find a large cluster of these in the GOLDFINCH plot across from the Blue Jay mosaic sign.
What am I?
(5) I grow in big clusters of heart-shaped green leaves. I keep my brown flower hidden underneath my leaves close to the ground. Find me in the BLUE JAY plot along the main pathway to the classroom circle near the Blue Jay mosaic sign.
What am I?
(6) You can see my blooming yellow flower growing in big bunches. My green leaves have an unusual shape with many lobes on the leaves. Find me in the ROBIN and BLUE JAY plots on both sides of the main pathway to the classroom circle.
What am I?
(7) I am low to the ground with deep green heart-shaped leaves. Sometimes I am mistaken for garlic mustard, but you know better. I stay lower to the ground. My flowers are delicate in shape and can be deep purple or white with purple flecks. Find me in the NUTHATCH plot on both sides of the trail. Remember to find the Nuthatch plot you have to take the trail behind the classroom circle.
What am I?
(8) I am a non-native plant that has “creeped” into our woods from other places. I am another low-lying plant with green leaves but my leaves have ruffled edges. I also have tiny purple flowers different from #7. Find me along the path at the top of the NUTHATCH plot near the large fallen log that looks like a dragon!
What am I?
(9) I appear like a carpet of leaves above the forest floor. My leaves are a light lime green and are in groups of 4 all arranged at the top of my stem. My stem is hollow and the juice from my plant can be used to relieve pain and itching caused by poison ivy and stinging nettle. Find me along the trail that circles the CHICKADEE plot, near the gigantic white oak tree.
What am I?
(10) I am a plant with very unusual leaves. I have just two leaves joined at the middle. That is how I was named. My leaves are shaped almost like elephant ears. Please do not pick me. My cluster of plants is the only one in our woods so far! Find me in the CHICAKDEE plot behind the triangle garden that is located next to the classroom circle.
What am I?
Answer key: