squirrel corn?

One of the great things about the early spring wildflowers is their creative monikers. These folk names that have survived over the years are not nearly as formalized–some might say starched–as bird common names.

In the next few weeks, be on the lookout for stinking Willie, wake robin, red dead-nettle, shooting star, lizard’s tail, bleeding heart, gill-over-the-ground and Dutchman’s breeches.

A wildflower that’s closely related to the last on this list gets its name not from what you see but from what you don’t see–under the ground.

Squirrel corn has yellow corms that look like kernels of Grandma Pearlie Mae's sweet corn. It’s reported that hungry squirrels are fond of digging up and eating these small underground bulbs.

Curious about the taste, I’ve asked several gray squirrels. All refused to commit even after generous bribes of toast and peanut butter. But that's just the way it is. If you want information, don't go to a squirrel; they'll look at you in dismay that you do not already know the answer.