Advertisement
  • National News
  • State News
  • Contact Us
Subscribe for $2.50/month
Print Editions
Pocahontas Times
  • News Sections
    • Local
    • Sports
    • A&E
  • Obituaries
  • Community
  • Magistrate News
    • Circuit Court News
  • Compass
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Southern Baptist
  • Pocahontas County Veterans
  • etimes
  • Classifieds
  • Login
  • FAQ
No Result
View All Result
Pocahontas Times
No Result
View All Result
Print Editions
Pocahontas Times
No Result
View All Result

Around the Forest

March 7, 2018
in Community
0
0
SHARES
11
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Wild Geranium or Geranium Maculatum

by Kristen Beverage-Doss

Mysterious Spring Ephemerals ~ a guide to your favorite vernal bloomers

Early spring is always an unpredictable time here in West Virginia. The weather could be sunny, rainy or even snowy.

Many people take advantage of nice spring days to warm up and begin tasks for the summer.

In the forest a similar process is occurring.

Just after winter some plants, called Spring Ephemerals, rise from the ground seeking sunlight and warmth. Unfortunately, these unique types of plants disappears just before summer. Some of these are vernal bloomers, meaning they produce some of the earliest flowers in the forest.

“The blooming of the spring ephemerals, ephemeral meaning short-lived, is an event not to be missed,” South Zone Ecologist Amy Coleman said. “At the first sign of spring, the forest explodes with wildflowers seeking the warmth of the sun in a brilliant display of color. These wildflowers make an early appearance in an effort to take full advantage of the sun rays before the leaf cover returns and the dense canopy begins to shade the forest floor.”

Other West Virginia native ephemeral favorites include: The Carolina Spring Beauty or Claytonia Caroliniana. These petite purple and white flowers populate moist rich forests in almost every county in West Virginia from March to May. The Trout Lily Erythronium Americanum is also found in every county. This herb produces vibrant yellow, purple or brown flowers and blooms from March until May.

Growing up in Pocahontas County I was always attracted to a soft pink or purple flower that populated our local fields. I later learned my favorite spring ephemeral is the Wild Geranium or Geranium Maculatum. It blooms from April to July and is also located in every county in West Virginia.

So, this spring, find your favorite ephemeral in the forests, fields and thickets.

More articles are on their way, and great things are happening in the Forest.

Until next time – Get outside and enjoy your public lands!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Enter your email address to weekly notifications.

You will receive a confirmation email for your subscription. Please check your inbox and spam folder to complete the confirmation process.
Some fields are missing or incorrect!
Lists
Previous Post

Yew Mountain Center to host bee-keeping workshop

Next Post

Warriors fall to Highlanders in playoff game

Next Post
The Levels Depot sets up at Taylor’s

Warriors fall to Highlanders in playoff game

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News Sections
  • Obituaries
  • Community
  • Magistrate News
  • Compass
  • Spiritual
  • Pocahontas County Veterans
  • etimes
  • Classifieds
  • Login
  • FAQ
Call us: 304-799-4973

  • Login
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
body::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 7px; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-track { border-radius: 10px; background: #f0f0f0; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { border-radius: 50px; background: #dfdbdb }
No Result
View All Result
  • News Sections
    • Local
    • Sports
    • A&E
  • Obituaries
  • Community
  • Magistrate News
    • Circuit Court News
  • Compass
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
    • Southern Baptist
  • Pocahontas County Veterans
  • etimes
  • Classifieds
  • Login
  • FAQ