Spring wetland wildflowers of Alley Pond Park

Oakland Lake is the largest glacial kettle-hole pond in Alley Pond Park. Its shoreline and feeder stream support diverse freshwater wetland vegetation, a community type that's rare in New York City. This time of year, the star of the show is Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) shown at top, which is only found in wetlands. A rare native wildflower, this member of the buttercup family is often confused with its relative, the invasive Lesser Celandine. We'll spend some time looking at similarities and differences.

Other uncommon wildflowers we will see in bloom in the woodland include: Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) - shown above-, and violets(Viola spp.).

Along the soggy border of the pond, we'll see other wetland species leafing out like sedges, while others like Skunk Cabbage will be in full foliage, and Field Horsetail is an evergreen. We'll also take some time to admire non-vascular plants, fungi and wildlife.

Meet location in RSVP confirmation email.

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.

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