It’s spring, and Isabella and her sister, Flora, are excited to go flower hunting to look for woodland wildflowers. They have a special patch of “peppermint flowers” they hope to find on their walk.
The sisters discover that their peppermint flowers have another name: Claytonia virginica. Discovering the wildflower’s scientific name teaches the sisters about Virginia’s colonial history, key aspects of botany,- and the natural history of spring wildflowers and their role in the ecosystem.
This story is for children and parents alike — for nature has endless hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
A brilliant as well as a delightfully well written book that will surely inspire any child with an inquisitive mind to appreciate the beauty and diversity of plants. Susan has artfully woven history, science, and botany into a tale that captures the rich complexity of plants. Though written for children, adults, too, will find it equally interesting and informative.”
— Rosemary Gladstar
Herbalist and Author
Author
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Susan Leopold, PhD.
Susan is an ethnobotanist and passionate defender of biodiversity. Over the past 20 years, Susan has worked extensively with indigenous peoples in Peru and Costa Rica. She is currently the Executive Director of United Plant Savers, dedicated to medicinal plant conservation of the United States and Canada. She also serves as a board member of Botanical Dimensions and Center for Sustainable Economy. and is Director for Sacred Seeds Sanctuary Network.
Susan and her three children are proud members of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia and live on a farm where they raise goats,
peacocks and herbs.
Illustrator
Nicky Staunton
Nicky is a Virginia conservationist and advocate for native plants and the habitats that support them. She was the State President of the Virginia Native Plant Society for three terms. Since retiring she has become a recognized artist, mainly in pen and ink illustrations. Her work has appeared in several books and many Bulletins. She studies dry brush watercolor with Lara Call Gastinger; is a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, American Society of Botanical Artists, and Southern Appalachian Botanical Society.
Her botanical taxonomic skills are from studies with Marion Lobstein and were used for the plant inventory of the 500 acre Occoquan Bay NWR in Woodbridge when the land was US Army Harry Diamond Lab.