Fordham Gneiss, one of the oldest rock formations on Earth, characterizes Van Cortlandt’s dramatic cliffs in the Northwest Forest. We'll explore the oak-hickory forest on rocky heights overlooking valleys dominated by tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipifera) and century-old oaks, with early lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium). Ground layer wildflowers are extraordinarily diverse in the Northwest Forest. There is bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), and wood rush (Luzula multiflora). And if we're lucky, wild pink (Silene caroliniana).
We'll walk eastward to Croton Woods, stopping to see Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) to the woodsy wildflower slope with wild ginger (Asarum canadense), cut-leaved toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) - see above pic -, and more bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). We'll ford a brook and walk to the old Aqueduct Trail to see smooth yellow violet (Viola eriocarpa) and Canada violet (Viola canadensis) and try to relocate the red mulberry (Morus rubra) I saw 20 years ago.
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Walk Leader: Marielle Anzelone is the founder of NYC Wildflower Week. She talks local flora on WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show. Follow @nycbotanist on instagram
NYC Wildflower Week thanks Con Edison for their generous support of these botanical tours.
