phenology (n): study of the influence of climate on recurring natural phenomena
1881, from German (phänologisch, Karl Fritsch, 1853) from Latin phaeno-, from Greek phaino-, from phainein “to show”
Show yourselves, little plants of Maramech Forest Preserve! It’s early April, time for some of you to wake up.
Hello skunk cabbage & marsh marigold. Laying low this year after last year’s early arrival eh?
Hello extremely small currant leaves. Welcome back after your hibernation. I hope it was comfortable inside of those leaf buds.
Hello Viburnum flower buds. When you burst you look like brains.
The following plants are spring ephemerals.
These guys live in woodlands and bloom early in the year before the tree leaves come out.
That way, they can take advantage of the higher sunlight levels.
Hello tiny trillium leaves. You have an exquisite mosaic.
Hello cutleaf toothwort?
Hello baby spring beauty?
Hello tiniest Dicentra spp. flowers I’ve ever seen.
Are you a squirrel corn or a Dutchman’s breeches? If I’d looked at your bulblets I’d know.
Anyhow, your foliage is already magnificent.
Hello little waterleaf. Nice spots.