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Early Spring Wildflowers
Wood Anemone
Anemone quinquelfolia
 The wood anemone is one of the first wildflowers of the spring
and is often found in open woodlands and thickets. The flowers
appear before the leaves. The single blossom on top of the four
to eight inch stem has four or five white sepals resembling petals.
Sometimes the sepals are pink or blue. The flower opens during
the day and closes at night. Ancient Greeks called the wood anemone "windflower" as
it was thought only the spring winds could open it up. The Chinese
and Persians felt the wood anemone was detrimental plant and
called it "death flower". It is known to be toxic and
an irritant. |
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Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
The jack-in-the-pulpit has unisexual flowers, male on the top of the plant and
female on the bottom. A striped green or purple hood that extends over the rest
of the plant will help identify the jack-in-the-pulpit. Bright red berries can
be found in bunches in the fall. This plant is found in rich, moist woods and
is one to three-feet tall. This plant should not be touched or eaten unless prepared
in the correct manner - it can be very irritating and the fresh plant has calcium
oxalate crystals (thought to contribute to kidney stone formation.) |
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Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
 Bloodroot is one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring and one of the
most beautiful. The white flowers are weather sensitive and fall off almost immediately
in late frost or if the flower is picked. Bloodroot grows in rich, mature forests
and will perish in full sun. Bloodroot got its name from the red sap that comes
from its stem and roots. Indians used this sap as war paint and for dying fabric.
Although poisonous when ingested, it was used as a throat lozenge and insect
repellent. |
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Hepatica
Hepatica americana
Hepatica is the earliest wildflower of the spring and may be found blooming December
through May. The flowers, which can be lavender to purple to pink to white, show
before the leaves on a hairy stem, three to six-inches in length. Hepatica is
an example of the "doctrine of signatures" which states that the shape
of the plant was nature’s sign as to what the plant should be used for.
In the case of hepatica, it was thought to be a cure for liver and lung diseases
because of its shape. |
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Large-Flowered Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
The trillium gets its name from having three leaves, three sepals, and three
petals. The large-flowered trillium can be found abundantly in rich, undisturbed
woods. The dark green leaves of the trillium are twice as long as they are wide.
The extravagant white one white flower turns pink as it ages. Indians used the
trillium to ease the pain of childbirth and as an eye medicine. Trillium was
also used as a love potion. In many states, it is illegal to pick the trillium;
however, a superstition is that if you pick the trillium, it will rain. |
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 Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
In May, the dazzling yellow flowers of the marsh marigold can be found in wet
areas such as along streams, swamps, wet pastures, and wet meadows. The five
to nine sepals (not petals) are set-off by the dark green kidney-shaped glossy
leaves. The leaves can be cooked and eaten; however, raw they are poisonous.
The flower buds can be boiled, sautéed, or pickled, and the sepals used
to make wine, potions, and brews. Marsh marigolds, also known as cowslips and
Mary-buds were used to honor the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages. |
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