Dutchman's breeches

Wednesday
After another lovely breakfast, we vacated our room, handed in our keys and paid the bill, but before we left, we walked another of the trails on the property, which led to a viewpoint, where there was a bench and, scattered around at the foot of several trees, numerous little gnome figures. Then we went up the road a bit to Wahkeena State Nature Preserve. Unfortunately there wasn't really a lot to see there as it was too early in the season, but we had a good walk anyway. Then we went into the nearby town of Lancaster, which has a number of fine 19th century mansions. Historic Square 13 bounded by Wheeling and Main and Broad and High is considered by many architectural historians to be one of the finest collections of 19th century homes in a concentrated area. The architectural design was influenced by a mixture of Southern, Philadelphian and New England styles brought in to the area by the settlers in the 1800's. We had lunch there in an old-fashioned deli then, since the threatened rain and isolated thunderstorms still hadn't materialized, we went for a last hike at Cantwell Cliffs before beginning our journey home. It was during this hike that I blipped these beautiful wildflowers, known amongst other names as Dutchman's breeches. Their scientific name is Dicentra cucullaria, and they are native to the rich woods of eastern North America. "Dutchman's breeches is one of many plants whose seeds are spread by ants, a process called myrmecochory. The seeds have a fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes, and put the seeds in their nest debris, where they are protected until they germinate. They also get the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant nest debris."
If you're interested in seeing more photos of our few days away please check out my Smugmug gallery