Ephemerals appearing – April 25

The red-berried elder blossoms have advanced considerably since the last posting. Photo iNaturalist 190706276, (c) Jeff Steele

Spring ephemerals are bursting into view with a certain urgency. They sense the need to bloom before the first leaves on understory and trees will cast their first shadows. Dutchman's breeches and trillium, usually blooming weeks apart, are raising their white blossoms almost simultaneously, and everything in between on the ephemeral calendar is peaking through last year's wilted brown leaves covering the forest floor.