Spring ephemerals are plants that are active for only a very short window in the early Spring. That window is between ground thaw and tree canopy development. They are a great indicator of life returning to the forest and sunny warm days ahead in Spring and Summer.
These plants are not only indicators of Spring, but also an essential piece to the forest ecosystem. The benefits they supply to the ecosystem are endless –
- They are an important source of nectar and pollen for native insects.
- They help retain soil from erosion and reduce water runoff during a time of year when few other plants are growing. For example, trout lilies have very efficient photosynthetic abilities. The photosynthetic process requires abundant amounts of water. Spring ephemerals typically grow in large populations and for that reason they can absorb large quantities of water that would otherwise runoff site, carrying valuable nutrients and soil with it.
- They increase organic material in our soil. Because they are “short-lived” plants, early in the spring season their foliage has already begun to quickly decompose providing readily available nutrients for other plants that begin growing later in the season…like our native trees!