NEcology #78 - Forest Ephemeral Roundup

Spring is "wildflower season" in much of the northeastern United States simply because that is the time the forest ephemerals come out for a brief time! These plants do as much as they can while the trees are still mostly leafless, then return to ground for much of the year.
Plants of interest:
Polygaloides paucifolia - "Gaywings"
Lysimachia borealis - "Starflower"
Uvularia sessilifolia - "Sessile-leaved Bellwort"
Equisteum arvense - "Field Horsetail"
Anemonoides quinquefolia - "Wood Anemone"
Cypripedium acaule - "Pink Lady's Slipper"
Aralia nudicaulis - "Wild Sarsaparilla"

[@labzee7855]

Spring ephemerals are so interesting and special.

[@thequeenofsporks]

I was also obsessed with finding Lady Slippers when I was a child but my parents aren’t outdoorsy so I only saw one once. I was robbed! 😂

[@natureman494]

I saw gay wings for the first time last year in northern MI, I never looked more into it, thanks for the info! I should of realized that it’s in the order fabales but I was mesmerized by all the other stuff in the region when I was there.

[@SquirrelAssassin247]

The channel that inspired you that you mentioned - is it Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t? You seem like you have a bit of that vibe.

[@NEcology]

It is! I'm also a big fan of the channel "New England Forests" which takes a very different approach.