Insectivorous Plants and Mid-Spring Flowers

Insectivorous Plants and Mid-Spring Flowers
Yesterday I was out weeding the big garden in the country and I am happy to report that the Prisepia sinensis bushes are in full bloom. Also, the first blue camas flower started opening. I remember reading that Prinsepias are native to North America. They have sharp, narrow thorns, narrow leaves, and graceful arching stems. The flowers have five petals and the fruit is a flattened drupe with a single seed that looks like a bumpy smarty. I think the seeds would make a good substitute for buttons if someone were to drill holes in them for the thread. There is not a great deal of pulp in the fruit, however it does make a delicious jam tasting of both peach and apricot.
Although their growth is somewhat slow, they do not suffer from cold damage here in our zone two climate. It takes me from three to five years to bring one of these guys from seed to flower (without fertilizer). I have also observed that buried branch tips tend to root, and roots near the surface tend to sprout leaves, so these plants might also be propagated asexually. The bush’s growth form is somewhat mushroom-shaped. With the profusion of sharp thorns I think this is an ideal plant in areas plagued with deer, moose, and other browsing herbivores. It would also make a great hedge as nothing would want to press up against those formidable thorns.
Blue camas or Camasia quamash is a perennial in the lily family. Indigenous people of North America used to slowly roast the roots in the coals of the fire in order to caramelize them – a treat in an area lacking in sweet foods. The blossoms are startlingly indigo blue and catch your eye from a great distance. Everyone asks me what that incredibly blue flower is. When I tell them it’s a camas, the next thing they say is, “Oh, so it’s poisonous then.” No, it isn’t. Although they share the same family, blue camas belongs to a different genus than the green, white, or death camases (Zygadenus). They make a wonderful addition to any bulb bed, but will require about three years to make it from seed to flower.
My crabapples are blooming and my butterworts and sundews are finally up. I was certain that the butterworts would over winter in the structure I described for you several weeks back, but I only had the plants for less than a year. I am still anxiously waiting for the pitcher plant and sundew seeds to germinate. I will keep you informed. MM.