Early Spring Wildflowers

These are some of the first flowers to peek through the leaf litter in the Enchanted Mountain forests. These were all found in Allegany State Park from early March to early April, a few years ago.

Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis)

The hepatica are the taller 6-7 petal flowers with hairy stems. They bloom in April and May. The smaller, five-petal blossoms in the foreground above are Carolina spring beauties. Below, the hepatica flowers emerge from a mix of forest plants, including christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).

Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis)

Hepatica flowers can be white, like those in the previous photos, or lavender, like the ones pictured above and below. The above hepatica is keeping company with Carolina spring beauties (to the left, not yet open), and a trout lily (slender, mottled leaves to the right). A trout lily leaf is visible in the background below as well.

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

This species and its stinky cousin the Red Trillium (T. erectum) are fairly common in the woods near streams. They bloom in April and can be seen through early June.

Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

The rather large (for an early spring woodland flower) blossoms can be found from March to May throughout the forests of the region.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Sometimes mistaken for dandelions, these native flowers can be found on roadsides and in farmland as well as in clearings in the woods. They bloom from March to June.

Canadian Anemone?

I'm not sure what this is. It resembles Anemone canadensis, but the leaves appear to be different. Can anyone help me out?

Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana)

These common early bloomers are found all over the woods in the region (and there are woods all over). They are among the first flowers to appear in early March, and blossoms can be found into early June. The one below is shaded by Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum).