Thirsty for Knowledge Thursday #1 - If You Don't Know, Now You Know...
About the remarkable little plants growing on the forest floor.
They spring to life and grow prior to the trees gaining their leaves but after it has turned warm enough for their fragile flesh to survive.
Spring ephemerals are perennial wildflowers that grow on the floor of deciduous forests. Every year I look forward to these treasures on my hikes through the woods. The weather is pretty perfect and there is an added bonus of little splashes of color peeping out from the fallen leaves and clutter.
Ephemeral means:
>adjective
lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory
Plants use photosynthesis to make energy and the sun drives this cycle. These flowers take advantage of the sunlight reaching the ground in the early days of Spring (or late Winter). Once the canopy forms they have completed a life cycle and retreat back underground. These flowers could be around for your enjoyment a few weeks or just a few days.
There are several species of spring ephemerals. Popular ones are trillium, pink lady slipper and bloodroot. I am featuring Hepatica sp. in this article because it is native to the forest in my area of North Carolina and it has starting showing already this year.
Hepatica is in the buttercup family and can be found in parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The leaves have three lobes like its namesake, the liver. They can grow to a height between 10–15 cm and can only spread through its seeds,which are transported by ants. " The flowers have a fresh, delicate scent, their fragrance promises that spring is just around the corner." Source
These pictures were taken on February 21st, 2018 in Davie County, North Carolina. I am planning on traveling to the Appalachian Mountains in a few weeks to catch other spring ephemerals like the popular species I mentioned earlier. I encourage you to explore for these remarkable little plants.
Thanks for peeping!
Kiristin
I am fairly new to the Steemit Community and I am trying to get my bearings and decide the direction of my blog because it is a work in progress. This post is the first in a series I will continue every Thursday called "Thirsty for Knowledge Thursday - If You Don't Know, Now You Know..." I'll be tossing Jeopardy worthy knowledge and tidbits at you every Thursday.
Stay Tuned and Happy Steeming!
Hi, @kiristin! First off; great photos! I'm really looking forward to reading your Thirsty for Knowledge Thursday post series. There's nothing better than learning new stuff here on Steemit :)
I love the spring ephemerals myself; it's really special when the first flowers show up in spring. The first typical flowers to pop up here in Norway is Tussilago farfara and Hepatica nobilis, but it's still way too early for them here, and we need to wait until March or April.
Hepatica nobilis from the spring of 2017.
What I really like about the spring ephemerals is that they aren't really that competitive, and would easily be outcompeted by "stronger" plants if they had grown later, so therefore they need to complete most of their life cycle before the other plants even begin theirs.
Best regards from @valth
You're quite right about them not having to compete. I didn't even think of that aspect (silly me!). Another reason to admire them. I love you have these in Norway and you have a picture to share! So neat!
We have had the warmest February on record this year. We have shattered records nearly everyday this past week. This happened last February, as well. It seems our Winters get shorter and shorter every year. It is still technically winter for another month and it could still freeze in April. I hope for the sake of the farmers it stays mild for the next few weeks.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment! I am excited to finally have a direction to head in with my blog.
Those are beautiful. My wife would have a fit if she found those growing on our property!
You could very well have them. You're in Virginia? You may have not only these but lady slippers and trillium. Probably bloodroot as well!
For sure we have lady slippers, trillium and Jack in the pulpit. Love all those. I'll be on the lookout. Thanks.
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