I am embarrassed — quite literally — by the riches of this springtime. Again and again, I find myself at a loss as to what a blooming roadside weed, shrub, or even tree might be. Today, along Piney Woods Church Road, I encountered a tree, still devoid of leaves, holding clusters of brightly glowing tiny yellow blooms. I scanned my tree field guides and hundreds of images on the Internet in vain. I suspect it is a tree of which I am quite familiar, but one that I have never noticed in blossom before. Over the years, I have spent many spring days in search of woodland wildflowers, learning their forms and habits. Yet I have never bothered to learned to identify trees by their blooms. I suppose I will have to wait for the leaves…..
Addendum: On April 3rd, I finally figured out what these blossoms are: sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Compare the image below to this one.
