July 2

Rabbit’s Foot Clover is growing in the roadside ditch of Route 56 at the crest point where the airport runway is visible off to the east.

I also spotted at this same location the first Monarch Butterfly of the season, with wings spread wide in the morning sunshine, seated atop a tall grass head. The timing seems about right, as the milkweed has matured to flower and is now perfuming the air with its sweet scent.

Look for signs of the Jewel Weed in the shady hollows. There is an emergent grouping on Nanigian Road, midway up on the east side, just past the stream that runs through the culvert underneath the road. It is cool and moist here, conditions ideal for the orange blossoms of the jewel weed, with its succulent stems and delicate leaves.

Jewel weed is also called touch-me-not, which is an apt name once the flowers go to ripened seed pods in the fall. At the slightest touch, they really do spring open, throwing seeds in all directions.

It is a bit early yet for jewel weed, though we’ll see more throughout the shady parts of town as the next months unfold toward autumn.