February EcoQuest

Flowers in February

Before the trees start leafing out and shading the forest floor, some plants take advantage of the abundant sunlight and get a jumpstart on the season. These spring ephemerals act as important resources to pollinators as the reemerge before spring. Native species like Common Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and many non-native plants such as Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia) and Greater Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) have all been observed with flowers in February.

Most of the flowers people have come to associate with spring are not native to North America. Although they are beautiful, they can quickly colonize a forested area or block sunlight before native spring ephemerals have a chance to grow.

Many of these species are small with conspicuous flowers, so take a close look and see how many you can find!