Who am I? Help solve this springtime mystery
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hey little bud! I just woke up from a deep slumber, and I can’t quite figure out who I am. I know I spoke to a naturalist last year who helped identify what I was. Do you think you can you help me? Thanks so much!
I spent all winter sleeping underground, dreaming about the sun on my face and taking a long stretch to work out all the kinks. When I first popped out from the ground, I noticed it was wet, still kind of cold and nice and sunny out. I was all red and shiny. Do you know of anything like that?
I beg your pardon? No, I don’t think I am a cardinal, although my appendages do come out to sharp points at the ends like a cardinal’s mohawk!
Cardinals will sometimes visit me in the colder months. They have pointy beaks that they sometimes use to remove round berries from my vines. Wait that’s right! I grow berries in late summer, and in the fall I help feed the birds. Does that help?
Ok, bloomer. I am not honeysuckle. That plant grows fast and takes over an area. They really hate to share their space with anyone, so I try to stay away from them.
I know that most of the time I grow on the ground as cover. I also have a hairy stem. The hairs that I grow help me climb and creep up anywhere I choose. It’s the coolest.
I am great at climbing and crawling. Sometimes I am more like a vine, and this is my favorite way to grow. I can grow up a tree, fence, wall, building — anything that I can attach my vines to. I love growing this way because then I can find sunny spots and grow there or find shady spots when it gets too hot for me. I’m a plant that likes choices!
I also can grow on my own, almost like a tree. I can grow to be 10 feet tall, but I think I get more height when I use a tree or building as my base. Can you think of anything like that?
No, I’m not Virginia creeper, but I feel like we are getting closer! Virginia creepers are like my cousins. They have five leaves that grow on a hairy vine. They are actually part of the grape family, called Vitaceae. Don’t ask me how to pronounce that, though. I think my family name is a little easier to pronounce. I am part of the cashew family! See! Way easier to pronounce!
Words to know
Appendage: A projecting part of a living organism that has a distinct appearance or function.
Slumber: Sleep.
The last thing I remember the naturalist saying before they walked away was “Leaves of three, leaf it be,” and they laughed as they walked away. What’s so funny about that? Humans are weird.
What? You know what I am? Tell me!
You’re unbeleaf-able! That’s it! I AM poison ivy! I forgot that sometimes the oil on my leaves can cause people to have a rash. That’s why that naturalist said that! Leaves of three, leaf them be.
I know that even though you might not react to my oils now, you could develop the allergy at any time! Imagine that. Being besties with me your whole life, then one day — poof — you can’t hang out with me anymore! Well, we can hang out, maybe just from farther away.
Well, thanks for all your help! I am going to grow along now; there’s a really nice spot on this tree that I want to try to grow up to. It has a perfect view of the pond, and I can really feel the wind blowing through my leaves if you catch my drift!
Keep your eyes on the ground and feet on the path as you look for me this year. Don’t be afraid to say hi, but definitely keep your hands away from the leaves and my hairy stem. See you soon!