Spring Beauty

This flower is aptly named. It's one of those tiny spring ephemeral plants that bring an early splash of color to the drab forest floor. In spring ,while sunlight can still reach through the tree canopy, they bloom quickly and then die back completely until next spring. Examples of these type of flowers are Spring Beauties, Dutchmen's Britches, Dogtooth Violets, Wood Anemone, and Trout Lilies. Some books include Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Rue Anemone, Wild Ginger, Hepatica, and Trilliums as spring ephemeral. They don't really qualify since they maintain leaves throughout the summer. Spring Beauties are easy to identify. They are always white w/ pink veining. My friend (and Master Gardener) Kris will be so proud that I remembered something she taught me about native plants.