One of the things I learned about when I worked at a local land trust was spring ephemerals. Going into the job, I didn’t know much. I knew a lot about other topics, but spring ephemerals had escaped my attention.
After I worked at the Mississippi Valley Conservancy in 2019, I learned to look for these essential spring woodland plants. While walking in the Northwoods this week, I saw that the trilliums had sprouted and bloomed.
Until their white blooms grace the brown and early green understory of the forest, you don’t realize they’re getting ready to put on a show. Once I saw them on the trail, I noticed them everywhere this week.
Seeing them inspired me to do two things: 1) notice what else was happening in the woods, 2) write a poem about what I saw.
Just over three years ago, I wrote about spring ephemerals. You can check out that post below.
Trilliums are a native woodland flower that blooms in the spring. Here is more about trilliums specifically:
You should never pick a trillium in the wild. In some states, certain species are threatened or endangered. Below, I’ve listed a few sources that discuss that. My neighbor told me that harvesting Trillium from woodlands in Wisconsin was illegal (and I have no intention of doing so) but I have yet to find a resource that states that.
https://www.charlevoixareagardenclub.org/post/trillium-are-threatened-with-extinction
Instead, last year I bought Trillium seeds and spread them throughout our woods. Prairie Moon Nursery has trillium seeds. It takes a long time for the seeds to germinate but I think this beautiful plant that signals spring is worth the wait!
Today is Poetry Friday. Romona has the round up on her blog,
Thanks for hosting!
Delicious phrasing:
fern fronds unfurling
raspberry brambles
So many beautiful poems this week about gardening and flowers!
Poets are gardeners. caring for words and caring for plants. I didn’t know about trillium until I lived in Washington. But I knew to enjoy them, but to never cut them. They are definitely protected plants. Great May observations. I bet your dog loved giving chase to the squirrels.
Carol, the trilliums in your photo are dainty flowers with such a beautiful white hue against the forest green. Your walk with your dog allowed you to observe nature’s growth. I am enjoying your sights and thoughts. Have a lovely springtime.
Oh I hope your trillium bloom and prosper. They are beautiful!
Even the word trillium is beautiful to say. I learned about these sweet flowers today. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your delicious poem.
When you talk of eternal ephemerals it sounds like a contradition in terms. However when I read your ekphrastic poem. the meaning becomes quite obvious. Thanks Carol. You invoked my curiosity and provided me with an answer.
I really like your alliteration and echoing sounds, Carol. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Laura. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem – )
Thanks for taking us on your walk with you! I love how the triangles of the trillium petals are deftly displayed at an angle to the triangle of the trillium leaves. The beauty of nature! Fingers crossed for your seeds.
Thanks, Tabatha! I love the patterns found in nature too.