SHANNON HEIST
Blacklick Woods Naturalist
Spring wildflowers are short-lived. They grow when conditions are right – when temperatures are rising and more sun is shining. They complete their entire life cycle in spring before the tree canopy forms and blocks their access to sunlight. These ephemeral plants grow leaves, bloom and produce seeds in just a few weeks before withering away.
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Blooms mid March to mid April
The root of this flower is reddish-orange and has been used as a dye.
Dutchman’s Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria
Blooms late March to early May
Bumblebees are the only bees strong enough to pry open the flowers of Dutchman’s Breeches for pollination .
Harbinger of Spring
Eriginia bulbosa
Blooms late February to mid April
These plants can be easily overlooked – they are only 2- to 3 inches tall!
Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
Blooms in mid February to April
This is the first flower to bloom in the spring. They produce their own heat and can melt snow!
Large-flowered Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Blooms in early April to mid May
This is the official state wildflower of Ohio.
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Blooms late April to mid May
The leaves of this flower look like an umbrella and it makes a fruit.
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Blooms early April to early May
This showy flower likes to bloom in large colonies near creeks and rivers.
Yellow Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum
Blooms late March to late April
One yellow trout lily can take up to seven years to bloom. And the leaves look like a trout.
Wild Hyacinth
Camassia scilloides
Blooms mid April to early May
This plant has an edible tuber that was once a staple for the local American Indians.
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Blooms mid April to late May
The root of this plant smells and tastes similar to the ginger you can buy at the store, even though they are not related.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
Blooms late March to May
This is one of Ohio’s most unique looking wildflowers.
Swamp Buttercup
Ranunculus hispidus
Blooms mid April to mid May
Buttercups have five, glossy, yellow petals.
Visit your closest State Nature Preserve to search for spring wildflowers. Metro Parks with nature preserves include Sharon Woods, Highbanks, Blacklick Woods, Clear Creek, and Pickerington Ponds. Stop by every couple of weeks in the spring to see what is in bloom – things can change fast!