Woodland wildflowers to spot in
springtime
Take a walk into your nearest local woodland during spring and you’ll start to see the woodland floor reawakening with new growth and colour.
The pretty wood anemone is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in March, taking advantage of warmer temperatures and the light streaming in through the leafless canopy above. The star-like flower is held on thin stems above deep green leaves. When the sun shines, the delicate blooms open fully. Look closely and you’ll see an explosion of golden yellow stamens in the centre, surrounded by pure white petals that are often tinged with pink. If the weather turns cloudy or the rain arrives, the flowers will close up. According to folklore, fairies would jump inside the flower and close it up to shelter from the rain! Wood anemones spread very slowly, so if you discover them growing in a woodland you could be standing in a very special habitat: ancient woodland. In England, ancient woodland is classed as an area that has been wooded since 1600. Ancient woodlands cover only 2.4 per cent of the UK, and because they have been left relatively undisturbed by humans, they are home to a huge range of wildlife, from insects that rely on decaying wood to specialist woodland bird species. The delicate wood sorrel is another wildflower of ancient woodlands, flowering a little later than the wood anemone in April. Look for it growing within cushions of moss on fallen logs. The small white flowers are veined with pink, while the vibrant green leaves are trefoil shaped, comprising three heart-shaped leaflets. A favourite of wild food foragers, the leaves have a refreshing citrus taste and are said to be good for quenching a thirst while out walking. Wild garlic is another staple on the forager’s calendar – its long, smooth leaves being a tasty addition to salads or the base for a wild pesto.
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