Gems of the spring forest floor
Many of us grew up with a certain awareness of the seasonal changes. For example, we learned that “April showers” bring “May flowers”. While May does not guarantee sunshine every day, it definitely brings with it an array of gorgeous wildflowers. Have you ever wondered why some wild plants bloom in spring instead of waiting for the warmer summer months?
The short answer is that every living being has a different survival strategy. Spring flowers populating wooded areas are no exception. Growing and blooming in the spring afford key advantages to the plants and to the ecosystem.
Step outside, find a wooded area, or sit beneath a tree in your yard. Look up to the treetops. Consider the amount of sunlight shining down on you and how this will change within the next month. Spring plants of the forest understory capitalize on the leaf-less treetops. These plants need a significant amount of sunlight making this the perfect time of year to grow. If they were to wait until summer, when leaves are out and the forest floor is shaded, they would not be as successful in surviving.
Next look down, odds are the ground is partially covered with dead leaves and other decomposing plant matter. The nutrients released by decomposition might be washed away by the spring rains if it were not for the plants currently “holding down the fort”. Spring plants absorb these nutrients, make use of them, and when they die, release the nutrients back into the soil to be used by the next wave of vegetation.
Why not take advantage of being outdoors and take a walk to see some local springtime celebrities? Early species such as Coltsfoot, Bloodroot, and Spring Beauty have likely passed, but you may be lucky enough to catch the tail end of Purple Trillium and Trout Lily blooms. Some June classics to look forward to include Dutchman’s Breeches, Bluebead Lily and Jack-in-thepulpit. This is but a sample of the spring blooms we can enjoy in our region.
When you start noticing the variety of wildflowers carpeting the forest floor, you might find yourself feeling like
Aladdin in the Cave of Wonders. Resist the urge to touch or pick these gems. The forest will not collapse if you pick a flower, however there are compelling reasons for leaving flowers be. The Purple Trillium takes up to seven years to flower. Years’ worth of work can be undone in a matter of seconds and the plant’s ability to reproduce may be negatively impacted as a result. As mentioned, these plants play a role in nutrient cycling making it important to conserve these key players in the spring ecosystem. The Yellow Marsh Marigold does not need as much time to flower, but produces substances that cause skin irritation. For these reasons, we encourage everyone to admire these spring gems where they lie. Instead, why not draw them in a journal or take a photo? That way, they may continue to grow and brighten the day of the next passersby.
What you see will depend on your location and the time of year, making it exciting to explore new places and get out as often as possible. Looking for a resource to guide you in your plant identification journey? Plantnet.org is a handy one worth checking out. We would love for you to share your springtime finds with us via our Nature Nerding Facebook page or by email at nature.nerding@gmail.com. Until next time, stay nerdy!