For Bored Hunker-Downed Kids ~ Backyard Wildflower Treasure Hunt

Wildflower Backyard Treasure Hunt!

Hey kids, see if you can find these common weeds and flowers. 

During this pandemic, go outside for some nature sleuthing. 

Keep your distance from other nature sleuths, and wear a 

mask if needed, but get outside for some fresh air and 

sunshine! Celebrate earth day tomorrow or any day! Enjoy the 

birds and plants of the earth. Send me your happy hunting 

photos or checked off ‘finds.’  

   1. Ground Ivy  

Tiny flowered ground cover. Look 

under the grasses on edges of 

flowerbeds or under bushes/trees. 

Other names: gill-over-the-ground, creeping charlie, alehoof, tunhoof, catsfoot, field balm, and run-away-robin. It is also sometimes known as creeping jenny.  Isn’t it pretty?

2.  Henbit Deadnettle  -    This is everywhere! Look in 

flowerbeds and besides sidewalks or driveways.

3. Red Deadnettle or Purple Deadnettle  

 Same as Henbit but has red leaves on top

4. Dandelion    My second favorite childhood flower. I spent hours putting the stems in ice water to watch them curl.

5. Garlic mustard  Invasive. Feel free to pull plants out when you find them. And pop off the flowers from the main stem as this crazy plant can set seeds even after being pulled out! 

6. Wild garlic   

 This is everywhere too. It will bloom if it’s not pulled out or mowed. I pull these out too and throw the bulbs in a trash bag so they don’t spread.

7. Common Blue Violet   

 My favorite flower as a child. I picked so many of these for bouquets for my mom. 

8. Wild Strawberry   

These are fun flowers and vines. If you find a patch, maybe you’ll see a box turtle too. They love to eat the strawberries that grow from the flowers. Indian Strawberry is also a wild strawberry, only with yellow flowers.

9. White clover   Bees love clover so wear shoes!

10. Oxalis or wood sorrel has heart-shaped, clover-like leaves.  May not be out until later in the season. 

        

11. Robin’s Plantain 

   White or pink daisy-like flowers that rise high from flat leaves closer to the ground.

Good luck!! Have fun and stay healthy and safe.   

~ Sharon