More Flowers!

As spring continues, more and more flowers are coming and going. Why do different plants flower at different times? How does a plant know when to flower?

Crimson Clover

Strawberry Flowers in the Garden

Stinging Nettle Flowers

Trailing Blackberry

Our native Blackberry species

Bitter Cherry

Evergreen Huckleberry

Coralroot

This plant does not photosynthesize! It gets nutrients from what fungus decompose.

Dead Nettle

This nettle does not sting and is edible

Common Lilacs

Scotch Broom

This invasive plant has bright yellow flowers

Fringe Cups

Salal

Depending on the plant there are many things that can start the production of flowers. Day length, amount of sunlight, rain, and temperature are all factors that influence a plant’s signals to start blooming. This signal is in their DNA. In a simple definition, DNA is much like the microscopic instruction manual inside of every living thing on Earth. It produces proteins that tell living things how to grow and function. Different plants have different requirements for when they can start blooming. With some plants, once one starts blooming, it sends chemical signals, called pheromones, through the air to other plants of the same type to start blooming too. This way they can reproduce successfully.

The progression of flowers from different species blooming throughout the spring and summer is important because they provide food for pollinators and other animals. Long term changes in weather and temperature (climate change) are having an effect on when and for how long flowers bloom. The study of when plants bloom, seed, lose leaves, ect is called phenology. Phenology literally means “the study of phenomenons.” In this case we study the how climate affect the cycle of plant growth, a natural phenomenon. It is something you, as a citizen scientist, can help scientists collect more data on. posting pictures of flowering and non-flowering plants throughout the year on iNaturalist helps provide data for phenology research. Another great resource and way for you to help with phenology is through the National Phenology Network: https://www.usanpn.org/usa-national-phenology-network . Learn more about citizen science and iNaturalist here: http://www.soundviewcamp.com/nature-blog/2020/4/17/the-at-home-naturalist-citizen-science

Check out the flowers and more at our self-guided day adventures happening now! Find out more and register here: http://www.soundviewcamp.com/new-events/2020/5/6/sound-view-day-adventures