Spring ephemerals are woodland wildflowers that bloom in the spring. As spring days lengthen and temperatures rise, the timing of these flowers’ emergence is key to survival on the forest floor. Before the leafing out of the canopy above and subsequent blocking of the sun’s rays from reaching the forest floor, these ephemerals have only this narrow window to complete their life cycle. Many ephemerals may be present for only a matter of weeks, during which they play an important role in the ecosystem, providing food for emerging pollinators and improving soil health. Some of these plants include the Yellow Trout Lily, Dutchman’s Breeches, bloodroot, Great white trillium, and Jack-in-the-pulpit.
Some of our members have been out and about in the woods, from their own backyards to nature preserves. Please enjoy the photos below, which capture the fleeting beauty of these incredible native plants in their natural habitat!
Viola macloskeyi (Northern White Violet)
Claytonia (Spring beauty)
Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells)
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman’s breeches)