Identifying Spring Wildflowers Part 2/2

Apr 28, 2011

By Steve Blight

The last Outdoors in the Land O’ Lakes column was intended to help readers identify five common and attractive woodland wildflowers that bloom during early spring. This week, we’ll take a closer look at another five showy flowers that bloom a little later, typically beginning at mid-spring. None of the following plants are considered ephemerals, as under the right conditions they can persist above ground well into the growing season.

Large-flowered Bellwort

Large-flowered Bellwort showing unfolding leaves. Photo: William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

(or Bellflower) is a perennial member of the lily family that is typically found in hardwood forests in alkaline (i.e. containing more calcium) or neutral soils. Its nodding six-petal yellow flower blooms in late April or early May. Curiously, the petals are slightly twisted as they hang downwards and its stem appears to pierce the leaves.

Fringed Polygala

(or Gaywings) is a spreading, low-growing member of the milkwort family. Often found in small colonies in woods dominated by conifers, it has a showy rose-purple and white flower that blooms in May. The half-inch (1.5 cm) long orchid-like flower has three central petals that are fused into a tubular structure with a delicate fringe on the lower lip. This dainty little plant is often overlooked because of its diminutive size, but is one of my personal favourites.

Lady’s Slippers:

Three species of lady’s slippers can be found with a bit of searching in our area. Pink lady’s slippers (or moccasin flowers) are normally found in very acidic soils in dry pine stands or in wet sphagnum bogs and bloom in late May. Yellow lady’s slippers found in moist hardwood stands tend to prefer more alkaline soils and begin blooming in mid-to late May. Spectacular rose and white showy lady’s slippers are the least common of the three species, typically found in treed wetlands like the Purdon Fen near McDonalds Corners and bloom in late June.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper

Canada Mayflower

or (false lily-of-the-valley) is a common woodland wildflower that can often be found growing in large colonies throughout our area. Its delicate white flowers form on a spike that blooms in mid-spring, eventually forming a few reddish berries that are dispersed by birds. While they are found in many different woodland conditions, they seem most common in forests with acidic soils, particularly near pines and other evergreens.

Canada Mayflower

Trilliums:

Red Trillium

Finally, what list of Ontario wildflowers would be complete without trilliums? Red and white trilliums are both common in hardwood stands across the region. In my experience, red trilliums come into full bloom a few days earlier than white trilliums. Some people have linked observations of lower numbers of trilliums to high numbers of deer, which browse heavily on them in spring. Flowering from the end of April to well into May, trilliums may not come up in following years if they are picked. Enjoy the flowers of spring, before they are gone for another year!

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.