Spring is finally here. The air is warming, and life is returning to the forest. On my most recent walk through the woods, I took the opportunity to take a few photos of the first plants to rise from the newly thawed soil.
The only flowers hearty enough to have already bloomed were the snowdrops, of which I was able to find two different species growing together side by side. I always appreciate finding these delicate white flowers in the early months of the year, often before the snow has melted. They are originally native to Europe but have since naturalized to the woodlands of eastern North America. Since the well-drained woodland soils that they rely upon for habitat are in decline, and that members of their genus are the most commonly collected bulb species on earth, habitat destruction and overharvesting threaten the future survival of these beautiful early blooms. Thankfully, international law under the CITES agreement makes international trade of either living or dead snowdrops illegal without a permit. The collection of snowdrop bulbs is also illegal in several European nations. These are important efforts as a biological compound derived from snowdrops called galantamine has shown to be effective in treating cognitive diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer's when applied in conjunction with other medical treatments. When I see these flowers in the woods, I am reminded that they, along with many of the other plants that inhabit the same woods, are much more than a pretty thing to photograph; they are potent, complex, and mysterious beings as well.
Greater snowdrop (left) growing alongside common snowdrop (right)
While I didn't come across any other flowers while on my walk, I did find plenty of other signs of early spring. The wild leeks, blue bells, and trout lilies were all sprouting from the moist soil of the steam banks and forest lowlands, while the garlic mustard, ferns, and hepaticas lined the upland slopes.
I look forward to returning to these woods over the coming weeks and months to witness the wildflowers blooming in their full glory. I hope that you will join me here again once they have. Thank you for walking with me!
Greater snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii):
Common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis):
Bristly Greenbrier (Smilax tamnoides):
Eastern Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens):
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides):
Common Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana):
Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum):
Field Sagewort (Artemisia campestris):
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica):
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata):
Wide Leek (Allium tricoccum):
Striped Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata):
Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia):
Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba):
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