squirrel corn?

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Love these names.

The next few weeks, be on the lookout for stinking Willie, wake robin, red dead-nettle, shooting star, lizard’s tail, gill-over-the-ground, toad shade, bleeding heart and Dutchman’s breeches. Many of these are in bloom at the nature center.

A wildflower that’s closely related to the last two 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 are notoriously parsimonious with what they are willing to share.

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