May 15: Winter Cress and Redstem Stork's Bill

Today I am again amazed at the beauty of wildflowers which are considered weeds.

You've probably seen this one by the side of the road. It's Winter Cress.

Winter Cress

 Winter Cress is a favorite food of deer. When the seeds come, you can use them as a pepper substitute, because they are hot and peppery. In folk medicine, the plant is used as a poultice. But I just like the way it looks. :-)

I almost missed this next plant because it's so small. I noticed a grassy field with a hint of purple on it, so I got out to take a closer look. Turns out that it was inundated with these tiny pink flowers, Redstem Stork's Bill.

Redstem Stork's Bill

 This plant is recognizable by its fern-like leaves and hairy stems. It grows quite close to the ground and is easy to miss unless you look closely. It's known to grow mainly in the southwestern U.S., but several Michigan counties now have it too. Since it's considered a weed, though, so you won't find it in any wildflower book.

In addition to various herbal uses, Redstem Stork's Bill is rumored to have amazing abilities to straighten out one's thinking! :-D According to a blog about it, the flower is 
"used to relieve obsessive anxiety or worrying and for those who give disproportionate attention to trivial events and small problems. It is said to help them gain a wider and truer perspective on issues which to so many of us are routine events. It helps such people to spend less time worrying about things which they have blown up out of all proportion."

Just by looking at it, I tend to agree, though perhaps not for the same reason. I am reminded of Jesus' comforting admonition: "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you?"