Every wondered how to tell a squirrel corn from a Dutchman's breeches? Did the Indians really use wild ginger for their Thai dishes? Can you name the three kinds of wild trilliums? You will learn all this and more if you attend one of 3 upcoming wildflower walks hosted by Bill Malcolm.

The Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve in conjunction with the Indiana Native Plant Society Central Chapter has three spring hikes taking root in April at Marott Woods Nature Preserve, located at 7350 North College Avenue [BB23 on map].

Nature enthusiast and NPSCC member Bill Malcolm explained, "I started theses hikes two years ago and the reason was to promote the natural splendor of wildflower parks in the Broad Ripple area. My friend, Norma Wallman, wrote a book, Wildflowers of Holliday Park and leads hike every year including in nearby Holliday Park. She taught me about the various species of wildflowers there which are also present at Marott Woods. There are a variety wildflowers, starting with the Hepatica and Bloodroot then the trout lilies and cut leafed toothwort, followed by the showy Celandine poppies. The display ends in early May when the may apples and wild geraniums round out the season." Her book can be purchased at: Holliday Park Nature Center, Kids Ink at 5600 North Illinois Street, Artifacts at 6327 Guilford Avenue and Wild Birds Unlimited at 3956 East 82nd Street.

"The month of April is when they bloom. Since they are spring ephemerals, they have to flower and seed before the trees get their leaves. Each week a new species of flowers bloom. We start with the first April walk where we hope to see the showy yellow trout lilies. Everyone is welcome but parking is limited."

There are three excursions next month. One is the Trout Lily Festival Hike on Saturday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to Noon where registration is at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trout-lily-festival-hike-at-marott-woods-nature-preserve-tickets-1227058096799.

Another is a Mid-week Spring Hike, scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at Noon, where registration is at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-hike-mid-week-at-marott-woods-tickets-1227059842019.

The last hike is the Celandine Poppy Festival on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon where registration is at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hike-during-celandine-poppy-festival-at-marott-woods-tickets-1227061476909.

"The most rewarding thing about these nature hikes is sharing my knowledge of the wildflowers with the community. We are so blessed here in Broad Ripple to have three parks: Holliday Park, Marott Park, Broad Ripple Park. All of them have wonderful wildflowers and it makes our Broad Ripple community great," Malcolm noted.

For more information, see the Facebook group, Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve.