In the forest setting in spring, you will find a type of wildflower called spring ephemerals. These flowers are usually very low to the ground and bloom in the leaf litter of the forest. Ephemeral flowers bask in the early-spring sun—when the trees haven’t leafed out and the sunlight reaches the forest floor. This is their time to bloom, set seed, and die back—all before the leaf canopy grows in fully.
Spring ephemerals play a critical role in the forest ecosystem by helping to stabilize the soil and reduce water runoff, contributing important nutrients to the forest floor, and serving as a source of nectar and pollen for early-spring pollinators.
They’re also pretty and have fun names! As of the time of this post, you can find some spring ephemerals (with fun names) in bloom around the Larchmont Reservoir. Today, meet the Trout Lily (below)—with the speckled, fish-like leaves and yellow flowers. We’ve also recently spotted the Dutchman’s Breeches (above), which look like a pair of pants hanging upside down on a clothesline.
