Spring Wildflowers

We may not be able to tell exactly when winter ends and spring begins, but the plant community all around us has determined that the change has already happened for this year.  With the longer days and warming weather comes myriad changes in the plant community.  This is the chance for us to observe many species that come and go very quickly at this time of year.  These are the wildflowers of spring, and a few early ones to look for on your walks are listed below.

One of the more showy flowers is Shooting Star, Dodecatheon meadia.  A delicate pink, lilac or white bloom droops from a single tall stalk in the middle of a grouping of lance-shaped leaves.  The plant may stand from 6″ to 20″ high.  The flowers form a cone surrounding the stalk with lobes bent backwards.  This plant is pollinated by female bumble bees that collect the yellow powder-like pollen by vibrating the anthers with two or three short sonic bursts called buzz-pollination.  The place to observe all this activity includes brightly lit open woods and meadows.

Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica, may not be in full bloom, yet, but will soon be spectacular in their showiness.  They are found in rich, damp woodlands, many times along streams and rivers.  In many areas, they can be found growing in great swaths covering large areas of the forest floor in open woodlands.  Trumpet shaped flowers nodding from a long stalk are about an inch long, pink when young but turning to a beautiful, rich hue of blue. 

Dutchman’s Breeches, Dicentra cucullaria, is a common species found in open, dry woodlands.  The flower, in white or pink, appears as if someone is hanging out their trousers to dry. The green base of the plant is located far below the naked flower stalk and is composed of several fern like leaves.  This flower is mainly pollinated by bumblebees, who have a longer proboscis than honey bees, allowing them to tap the flower for its nectar.

Another showy but short-lived bloom in the woods at this time is Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, found in dry woodland areas.  Sanguine, an adjective for the color of blood, appropriately describes the juice derived from the plant.  A single leaf divided into five to nine deep round lobes clasps the flower stalk, wrapping around the base.  A single white flower rises 3″-6″ above the leaf.  The flowers contain no nectar, but attract a variety of female bees as well as the false blister beetle to collect pollen.