Our property in Anchor Bay has sandy soil. Matsutake mushrooms thrive in it and so do two very interesting and rare plants. The first is Gnome Plant, Hemitomes congestum. In years past, we have had a handful of them appear. This year we have a village of them! Gnome plants have no stem or leaf, and they produce no chlorophyll. They get their nutrients from decayed matter

Sugarstick, Allotropa virgata, is quite rare. Here are two emerging. On the far right are stalks of Sugarstick that bloomed two years ago. Amazing that after two winters worth of storms that the stalks are still standing. These plants also produce no cholrophyll. They get their nutrients from fungus.

The Gnome Plants and Sugarsticks are growing in the same area. And, yes, we find Matsutakes in the same area.

It will be fun to show you how these Sugarsticks evolve.

We are having a beautiful sun-splashed day today. Happy Mother's Day to all women who make an impact on children's lives.