Snow is melting, birds are chirping, and days are lengthening, it must be spring! Many of us are eager for plants to awake as we keep a close eye on the ground for signs of growth. It’s at ground level that we find this season’s treasures, spring ephemerals.

A colony of large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) in bloom.

What is a spring ephemeral?

There are many spring wildflowers, but not all are ephemeral. Spring ephemerals are wildflowers that complete their entire lifecycle before tree leaves fully emerge and create a shady, closed canopy. Ephemeral flowers primarily grow on the forest floor, but some also grow in prairie and savanna habitats.

Spring ephemerals begin stirring as soon as the soil thaws. They have just a few short weeks to burst from the earth, bloom, and set seed before shade sends them back into dormancy. Because their access to sunlight is so limited, spring ephemeral flowers take many years to mature from seed. They are very susceptible to pressure from invasive species, especially garlic mustard and buckthorn, and are difficult to restore once they’re gone.

Spring ephemerals serve an important purpose in native ecosystems. They are the first flowers to bloom at ground level, providing essential resources for queen bumblebees emerging from dormancy. Many ephemerals also support ground-level pollinators like ants, who collect and transport seeds so plants can spread.

10 spring ephemerals in Minnesota woods

Walk through Minnesota’s woods in April and May for the best chance to spot spring ephemerals. These plants are often inconspicuous and can be partially concealed by leaf litter. Ephemerals are small and easily stepped on, so walk on trails when possible and use camera zoom to get close photos of ephemerals. Stepping carefully saves spring wildflowers!

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Bloodroot signals spring with its single white flower that blooms for just a day or two. When flowering, the leaves remain wrapped around the flower stalk. They unfurl as the blooms fade, gathering energy before the plant returns to dormancy in June. Bloodroot gets its name from a deep red juice in its roots that was historically used for dye.

Look for bloodroot in moist, well-drained woods, or along ditch edges.

White trout lily (Erythronium albidum) flower in bloom. — White trout lily (Erythronium albidum).

White and Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium albidum and americanum)

Trout lilies are delicate plants with small, hanging flowers. Both white and yellow trout lilies are found throughout eastern Minnesota, and plants can form huge colonies when undisturbed. They most often grow in moist, deciduous forests, but colonies can occasionally be found in mixed coniferous woods.

Round-lobed hepatica (Anemone americana) in bloom. — Round-lobed hepatica (Anemone americana).

Round-lobed and Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Anemone americana and acutiloba)

Two hepatica species native to Minnesota can be spotted in spring sporting attractive pink-purple flowers. Round-lobed hepatica is more common in drier, acidic soils, especially in the mixed upland woods of northeastern Minnesota. Its counterpart, sharp-lobed hepatica, prefers more mesic deciduous forests. The two species have significant range overlap, so don’t be surprised if you find both in the same area!

False Rue Anemone (Enemion biternatum)

False rue anemone is primarily found in southeast and east-central Minnesota. While its white blooms appear similar to true anemone flowers, false rue anemone is part of a different genus. You’ll often find it growing in moist, shady spots, such as north-facing slopes and maple-basswood forest.

Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia)

Wood anemone is a true anemone flower that grows to form mat-like colonies. While a spring ephemeral, wood anemone has white, petal-like sepals that help it maintain a flowering appearance longer than other early spring flowers. You can find wood anemone in a wide range of forests with varying soil moisture. It grows in every Minnesota region except the southwestern prairie counties.

Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman’s breeches gets its name from the funny flower shape, which indeed resembles an old-fashioned pair of pants. It is relatively widespread throughout rich woods in Minnesota. Dutchman’s breeches is a favorite nectar source for queen bumblebees in early spring.

Large-flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

Trilliums are the slow-growing heroes of spring ephemerals. It takes five or more years for large-flowered trillium to mature and begin flowering. The wait is well worth it, as the large white blooms are quite eye-catching. You’ll find large-flowered trillium in rich woods throughout eastern Minnesota. If undisturbed, trillium species will form sizable colonies.

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Spring beauty blooms with delicate pink flowers poking out of the leaf litter. It can be found growing in moist woods throughout eastern Minnesota. If you’re hiking in the Arrowhead region, you may also encounter Carolina spring beauty (Claytonia caroliniana). It is very similar to spring beauty but its Minnesota range is limited to areas within a few miles of the Lake Superior shore.

Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

Toothwort has large, distinctively cut leaves. This plant forms colonies faster than many other ephemerals. Dozens of white and pink flowers bloom in early spring, attracting a host of pollinators. You’ll find toothwort throughout southeast and east-central Minnesota.

Bishop’s Cap (Mitella diphylla)

Bishop’s cap emerges with two large leaves, then grows a delicate flower stalk rising no higher than 18 inches. Small white flowers emerge along the stalk, adding an ethereal, floating texture to forest floors and shade gardens. Look for bishop’s cap in shady, rich woods throughout eastern and central Minnesota.

This spring, take a wildflower walk and keep a close eye on the ground for emerging spring ephemerals. If you’d like professional help spotting spring flowers, consider attending a guided wildflower walk. These are offered by many Wild Ones chapters, as well as by local nature centers and conservation organizations. You’ll hone your ID skills and be better prepared to spot spring ephemerals!

What’s in a Name: Spring Ephemerals