Spring ephemerals are among the first wildflowers to emerge in the spring, taking advantage of the brief window of sunlight that reaches the forest floor before the trees and shrubs leaf out. These plants complete most of their life cycle in early spring, blooming, setting seed, and then fading back underground by early summer.  

Spring ephemerals play an important ecological role by providing early-season nectar and pollen for pollinators. Their fleeting beauty is also a hallmark of New England’s changing seasons, and their presence certainly is a welcome sign of spring after a long, cold winter!

Next time you're walking around the woods, look down! Maybe you'll be lucky enough to see mayapples, violets, and other ephemerals, like my absolute favorite, painted trillium (Trillium undulatum, shown in the photo to the right). 

Check out the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's free, downloadable booklet on spring ephemerals: https://www.mass.gov/news/look-for-blooming-spring-ephemerals-with-our-field-guide