EARLY SPRING WILDFLOWERS

Unlike garden bulbs and domestic perennials that respond to warm temperatures and moisture, wildflowers take their cues to bloom directly from the sun. As daylight hours increase, so do the variety and numbers of blooms.

ODNR facilities throughout the southern portion of the state reported sightings of snow trillium, the state's earliest blooming wildflowers.

Hepatica, harbingers-of-spring, spring beauty and cut-leaved toothwort have also been spotted.

Other early wildflowers, such as harbingers-of-spring, spring beauty and hepatica begin showing their colors about the same time as snow trillium.

Harbingers are a type of parsley that grow about 3 inches high and are easily overlooked on woodland walks. Hepatica, however, feature snowy blooms on a tall, slender stalk.

Spring beauty, a white and pink striped species that grows about 6 inches high, holds its blossoms for as long as three weeks. Cut-leaved toothwort, a member of the mustard family, also grows about 6 inches high and features a delicate white to lavender bloom.

Bloodroot, a white wildflower with yellow stamens, begins showing its face in April, along with dozens of other wildflower species.

Among the most prevalent and distinctive are trout lilies and Virginia bluebells. Named for their speckled leaves that resemble a trout's scales, trout lilies are common throughout the state. The trumpet-like blooms of Virginia bluebells turn from pink to blue as they mature. They are among the most common Ohio wildflowers, blooming in April and May in wet, wooded areas and along small streams.

Wild violets also grow throughout the state. While purplish blue is the common color, violets are also found in hues of yellow and white. Moist, open woods are their favorite habitat, although they are frequently found in suburban yards.

Ohio's rarest wildflower, the Lakeside daisy, blooms in early May in a former quarry near Marblehead in Ottawa County. Now a designated state nature preserve, the quarry is one of only three places in the world where this endangered wildflower thrives.

BRIMMING WITH COLOR

Ohio's earliest-blooming spring wildflowers will soon begin to decorate the state's landscape, signaling the start of the wildflower-viewing season. From trilliums to trout lilies – these colorful blooms can be found in the forests of state parks and nature preserves across Ohio.

After a long, gray winter, the first blooms of spring are a welcome sight. Wildflowers take their cue to bloom from increased daylight and warmer temperatures.

Early wildflowers, such as harbingers-of-spring, snow trillium, spring beauty and hepatica should already be showing their colors. Other common Ohio wildflowers, such as bloodroot, trout lilies, wild blue phlox, Dutchman’s breeches, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and Virginia bluebells, bloom in April and May in moist, wooded slopes and along small streams.

Wild violets can also be found throughout the state. While purplish blue is the common color, violets are also found in hues of yellow and white.

Ohio's state parks and nature preserves are among the best places to view the state's numerous species of wildflowers in their natural settings. ODNR has put together a list of some of the best places to visit this spring.

In Northern Ohio:

Dwarf Larkspur picture by Eric McCune

Howard Collier State Nature Preserve (southwestern Seneca County) – This 115-acre preserve is located on the Sandusky State Scenic River. One popular trail follows the ridge top and drops dramatically over the hillside to the floodplain of the Sandusky River.

Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve (eastern Huron County) – This 132-acre natural area offers beautiful views of the Vermilion River Gorge. It is an excellent spring wildflower destination that includes bluebells, wild hyacinth and showy orchis.

Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (southern Fulton County) – This 321-acre wooded preserve is reminiscent of the Great Black Swamp, with some of the oldest remaining trees in the state surrounded by an array of wildflowers, such as spotted coral-root and three-birds-orchid.

Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve (northeastern Portage County) – This 473-acre floodplain forest features a wide variety of wetland communities that support more than 100 species of woody plants and at least 70 species of wildflowers.

Malabar Farm State Park (southern Richland County) – Featuring the former homestead of Pulitzer-Prize winning author Louis Bromfield, the park also offers many natural features, including woodlands, lakes and streams laced with wildflowers, such as trillium, spring beauties and wild blue phlox.

Crane Creek State Park (northern Ottawa County) – The park’s coastal environment is home to a variety of animal and plant life. A half-mile boardwalk trail provides access to the many different habitats in the park, winding through small ponds, woodlots and open marshlands.

In Central Ohio:

Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve (eastern Franklin County) – While only 54 acres in size, this swamp forest is an excellent site to view spring wildflowers, including several species of trillium and hyacinth.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve (northern Greene County) – This 269-acre preserve is considered one of the best places in the state to see wildflowers, including the rare snow trillium. The preserve protects a spectacular gorge and contains a portion of the Little Miami State Scenic River.

Shallenberger State Nature Preserve (central Fairfield County) – This 88-acre preserve offers views of significant geologic formations as well as a multitude of wildflowers.

In Southern Ohio:

Clear Creek State Nature Preserve (southern Fairfield County) – The 4,729-acre preserve is located in the Clear Creek Valley, which is considered to be one of the finest remaining stream valleys left in Ohio. In addition to excellent wildflower viewing opportunities, bird watchers will enjoy seeing at least 18 species of warblers nest in this scenic and geologically significant area.

Boord State Nature Preserve (southeastern Logan County) – The 89-acre preserve offers a stream gorge 60-80 feet deep lined with hemlocks. Numerous scenic cliffs and overhangs occur along this ravine, highlighted by a variety of beautiful wildflowers.

Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve (central Jackson County) – This magnificent natural area encompasses more than 1,900 acres, featuring excellent trails and diverse spring wildflower displays, such as rare bigleaf and umbrella magnolias, as well as sandstone cliffs.

Lake Hope State Park (southeastern Vinton County) – Considered one of Ohio's most historic and scenic state parks, the park features oak and hickory woodlands with numerous species of shrubs and wildflowers. The yellow lady's slipper, one of the state’s rarest and most showy orchids, blooms in secluded hollows.

Hueston Woods State Park (bordering Butler and Preble counties) – An extensive system of trails gives visitors a front-row view of beautiful wildflowers throughout the park. It is also a popular fossil-hunting destination.

Pike Lake State Park (northwestern Pike County) – Located in the midst of the scenic wooded hills of southern Ohio, this park offers a forest that is filled with a variety of plant and animal life. The wide array of wildflowers creates a spectacular display – spring through autumn.

Visitors to any state park or nature preserve are reminded that collecting natural materials is prohibited.