Consider-the-Lilies Web Gallery
Spring Beauty
New to the Gallery for 2007, this is one of the earliest wildflowers to appear in Virginia. I first found it in early March.
Although Claytonia virginica appears fragile, this native perennial continued to produce buds and blossoms in early April through several nights of unseasonable temperatures in the teens, along with some some light snow.
Returning to the marsh after the cold snap, I found several other wildflowers, such as Mayapple, that were blasted by the cold and unfortunately will not bloom this season.
This
hardy jewel of an early bloomer prefers a damp environment; I
came across it growing in the soggy soil at the edge of a vernal pool.
Like Rue Anemone and Trillium, this plant will go dormant with the advent of drier weather and warmer temperatures of late Spring.
But until then it will continue to live up to its name, cold temperatures or not!
Native Americans dug up the corms of this plant as a source of food.
The early colonists enjoyed them, too, and finding they tasted like the common potato, gave this plant another name: Fairy-spud.
Although historical references tell of masses of these flowers covering large areas of marshy bottomland, this species was not plentiful in the preserve where I found it this year. But even if flowering in such great numbers as to "blanket a meadow," I don't think I could sacrifice even one Spring Beauty for a "taste treat."
But, before I get too self righteous, I must acknowledge that I had a sandwich in my knapsack and wasn't starving as perhaps others in the past were when they dug up these native perennials!
So, although I can't tell you if Fairy-spud lives up to its alternative, olden name, I am pleased to share these views of this miniature wildflower as a "feast for the eyes!" that truly does live up to its other name, Spring Beauty!
Go to the Main Directory to consider more lilies of the field.