While paddling the Hudson River this past week, I was delighted to see the shiny, vividly red seed pods of Pale St. John's Wort (Hypericum ellipticum), one more stage of colorful beauty for this native wetland wildflower.
Just a couple of weeks ago, every stretch of shallow river shoreline was filled with masses of this lovely bright-yellow flower that sometimes grows right out into the water.
How oddly misnamed, calling it a "pale" species, this Pale St. John's Wort, with its bright orange flower buds, its brilliant yellow blooms, and finally its ruby-red seedpods. There's nothing pale about this flower at all!
I often think, how much beauty I would miss if I didn't have my little lightweight solo canoe that allows me to mosey close along the Hudson River shoreline.
Yes indeed, a canoe gives access to many special places.
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