Lions and Tigers and Zebras – Oh My
Field of Lyre Leaf Sage
May is an amazing time at Warner Park. The park, with its fresh spring colors, is magical. There are interesting sites around each corner. In fact, if you look close enough, you will find exotic creatures in everyday things.
Dandelion
This pretty yellow dandelion can be found everywhere in the Warner Parks. Although this may look common, it is an amazing botanical specimen. There is some debate as to where the name comes from. Examine the leaves, they are jagged and remind some people of lion’s teeth. The belief is that the dandelion’s name could be derived it from the French term 'dent de lion' meaning 'tooth of the lion'. Or it could be the yellow color of the flower reminds many people of a lion mane. No matter how the flower got its name, there is more to this plant than beautiful yellow flowers. This plant provides food, drink, medicine, and entertainment. The root has been used as an ingredient in medicines for problems such as dyspepsia, constipation, gallstones, insomnia, dropsy, and jaundice. Wine is produced from the flowers, they young leaves are wonderful in salads, and the root has been used as a substitute for coffee.
Dandelion Seeds
Of course, nothing can compare to the joy of blowing dandelion seeds. Many children spend happy hours blowing and chasing these seeds. Is there is no greater accomplishment than blowing all the seeds off the head of a dandelion?
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Picture by Bob Allen
It is always a delight when you encounter this beautiful yellow and black swallowtail. Look for these beautiful large butterflies in the fields on the lawns and in the gardens of the park. This swallowtail is found all over the Eastern United States and some states in Mexico.
Pipevine Swallowtail
Males are always yellow with black stripes. The females can be yellow and black but have a dark morph, that resembles the poisonous pipevine swallowtail butterfly. The adults can be found nectaring at many flowers but the host plants are Black Cherry and Tulip Popular.
Young Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar Older Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
When the caterpillars are hatched from a small green egg, they are brown and white and resemble bird poop. Later as they mature, they become bright green. The caterpillar has big eyes that make it look like a snake. If the snake eyes do not repel the predator, the caterpillar can also emit an unpleasant odor.
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
May is a wonderful time to spot a zebra butterfly. Found in the eastern US, they are more prevalent in the south. A small swallowtail with black and white stripes, this is the state butterfly of Tennessee. Look for them around pawpaw tress, where they lay their eggs. Or look for in the dappled sunlight along the trail. Because of their short probiscis the butterfly is found nectaring on zinnias, button bush, fleabane, and other flowers without long tube blossoms.
Zebra swallowtail caterpillar
The female zebra swallowtail lays a pale green egg on the underside of a pawpaw leaf. The caterpillars are hard to find because they eat at night and hide during the day. Once hatched, the caterpillars are voracious eaters, some will even eat their siblings. Before building a chrysalis, the caterpillar goes through three instars. (An instar is a stage of growth for a caterpillar.) When attacked they emit a stinky odor or move to another leaf. It takes about a month for the butterfly to develop from an egg to a butterfly. An adult butterfly can live up to 6 months.
Moss on the forest floor
Take some time to go out on the trails in May. Go with open eyes and an inquisitive heart and you will never know what you will find. If you do find lions, tigers, or zebras, please let us know.
By Melissa Donahue
