Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 12, 1991 TAG: 9104120240
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Patricia C. Held
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Although blossoms are somewhat dependent upon weather conditions, this year's wildflowers began their preparation last year.
The key to blossoming is photosynthesis, which uses air, water and sunlight to produce sugar and starch in the plant's leaves. These substances are stored within the plant and play an important role in the production of blossoms.
Most wildflowers bloom before their leaves appear. They draw their energy from food stored during the past year, since the current year's leaves have not unfolded.
How the plant stores food varies. Annuals, or plants that die after one growing season, store all their food in seeds. Woody plants hold food in roots and stems. In non-woody perennial plants, the summer growth dies back. Their food must be stored underground in the stem, bulb, tuber or roots.
Each species has a requirement of sunlight hours to complete its yearly cycle of food production, blossom development, leaf growth and reproduction. Some plants need a great deal of accumulated sunlight before they can bloom. These usually hold off flower production until autumn.
In contrast, spring blossoms need much smaller amounts of sunlight time and burst forth with blossoms in just a few weeks. These early bloomers literally bottle up sunlight from the previous year in the form of starch and sugar and draw upon this stored-up energy for rapid spring growth.
As the rays of sunlight reach through the bare trees, the spring wildflowers race through their blooming cycles. Woodland plants must complete this process before trees' leaves expand and cut off most of the sunlight. For many woodland plants, NATURE PATRICIA C. HELD the next few weeks is their only chance to shine.
Unlike summer fields that become ablaze with bright colors, spring wildflowers are more delicate and are not so easy to see. But a walk through the woods during April will reveal a world of exotic blossoms.
Hepatica is one of the prettiest. Named for the Greek word for liver, the shape and color of its leaves closely resemble that organ. The plant was sometimes a remedy for liver complaints.
Another of spring's woodland flowers is rue-anemone. Found around the spreading roots of old trees, each plant produces two to three blossoms on slender stalks above a whorl of small three-lobed leaves.
Also out in abundance are peppermint-striped spring beauties. They are found in moist woodlands, especially around brooks and streams. Don't bother to look for them on cloudy days because they do not open unless the sun is shining.
Among the spring beauties are purple violets and dog-toothed violets. The latter, which is really a lily, is also known as the yellow trout lily. This flower has reflexed yellow petals that are brownish-purple underneath. Each plant has two broad and mottled leaves.
Probably the most striking spring flower in our rich woodlands is the bloodroot. This pure-white flower remains hidden within a curled up leaf until its spotless, showy petals open. Each flower has from eight to 10 petals surrounded by a center of gold. The plant's roots produce a red dye when crushed, hence its name.
If you want to look for spring wildflowers, it is important to get into the woodlands now. As soon as the leaves of the trees unfurl and blot out the sun's warmth, most of these blossoms will disappear, and it will be another year before we can enjoy such a wonderful display.
Patricia Held will respond to readers' questions on the plant and animal wild life in the region. Mail inquiries to: Patricia C. Held, P.O. Box 65, Goode, Va. 24556.
Patricia C. Held is the former director of the Nature Center Museum in Middletown, N.J. She lives in Bedford County.
by CNB