| Story by Meghan McMahon |
3/12/2024
The arrival of spring means many things, and among them is the blooming of ephemeral wildflowers.
To be treated to this seasonal show, you’ll need to head to the woods. The woods are where the action is because ephemeral wildflowers are taking advantage of the sunlight hitting the forest floor before trees leaf out, according to the University of Illinois Extension.
Ephemeral wildflowers have to emerge from the forest floor, flower and set their seed quickly, before they lose sunlight when tree canopies fill in. Because of this, their blooms don’t last long.
Our forests are full of these wildflowers, arriving in waves starting as early as February. Because the blooms last only a short time, each trip to the woods in spring can be a new experience as old blooms fade away and new ones add pops of color.
Our spring wildflowers can be identified based on many factors, but the easiest is their flowers. Here is a look at many of the ephemerals that pop up in Will County each spring.
Want to see what’s in bloom this spring through the eyes of an experienced naturalist? The Forest Preserve is hosting a series of Where the Wildflowers Are hikes at different preserves throughout the season. All hikes require registration.