Adirondack Wildflowers: Carolina Springbeauty (8 May 2013)

Explore the Adirondack Mountains:
Wildflower Walk: Spring Ephemerals
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Trip Report

Adirondack Wildflowers: Dwarf Ginseng on the Heron Marsh Trail (8 May 2013); Trout Lily on the Boreal Life Trail (4 May 2013); Spring Beauty on the Heron Marsh Trail (8 May 2013) Spring Ephemerals at the Paul Smiths VIC: Dwarf Ginseng, Trout Lily, Spring Beauty

Have you noticed the explosion of springtime flowers happening before leaf-out? These spring-blooming wildflowers are perennial woodland plants that sprout from the ground early each spring, then quickly bloom and seed before the canopy trees overhead leaf out. This strategy allows these plants -- known as spring ephemerals -- to take advantage of the full sun hitting the forest floor early in the growing season. Once the leaves are out and the forest floor is deep in shade, the leaves wither away leaving just the roots, rhizomes, and bulbs underground. Join VIC Naturalist Michelle Berrus on a wildflower walk from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM to learn more about these fleeting beauties. Cost: $20, $15 for Friends of the VIC.





















Explore the VIC

The Paul Smiths VIC offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year to educate and inform Adirondack Park residents and visitors about the natural wonders of the Adirondack Mountains. You can help support these programs by joining the Friends of the VIC. More information on Friends of the VIC memberships

Explore the Trails

The VIC trails are free and open to the public, from dawn to dusk, spring through fall. In winter, the trails are open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers for a fee. Day or season passes may be purchased.