Woodland Wildflowers & Reports

Woodland wildflowers

Topics:

Forestry

It's wildflower season - get out and explore. Find emerging elegant patches of early spring color as native wildflowers unfurl their gentle blooms. Their dazzling show of spring color is only a limited engagement, so take time to see the flowers before they are gone.

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Wildflower Weekly Report
Report DateAreaDescription of Woodland Wildflower Blooms
3/31/2005Northern Iowa

Stinging nettles and Virginia waterleaf are starting to emerge in Black Hawk County.

 

Nettles and Virginia waterleaf are emerging in Emmet County.

3/26/2025Central Iowa

Anenome is emerging in Wright County.
 

Snow trillium is blooming at Jester Park in Polk County.
 

Snow trillium and hepatica (liverwort) are blooming at Pine Lake State Park and in the Iowa River greenbelt.

Find Dutchman's breeches on south facing hills in Jackson County. False rue anemone is popping up.

 

Wild strawberry is emerging but not blooming yet in Sac County.  Bedstraw and nettles are popping up, but not blooming. Prairie grasses are emerging.

3/29/2025Southern Iowa

Snow trillium is in full bloom in Marion County. Blood root is starring to bloom. Spring beauty, Virginia waterleaf, Jacob’s ladder and Dutchman’s breeches have emerged, but are not blooming yet. Serviceberry shrubs will likely begin blooming within the next week.

 

Snow trillium, bloodroot, false rue anemone and sharp-lobed hepatica are blooming along the trails in Jefferson County Park. Leaves of spring beauty, common blue violet, Dutchman’s breeches, prairie trillium, Jacob’s ladder and Virginia bluebells have popped up.

 

Spring beauty and redbud trees are flowering in Monroe County and Lucas County.  Jacob’s ladder, Virginia waterleaf, Dutchman’s breeches, licorice bedstraw and sweet cicely have emerged.

 

Woodland plants are emerging at Sharon Bluffs State Park in Appanoose County. Find leavesof Virginia waterleaf, trout lily, catmint, violet, bedstraw, gooseberry and sweet cicely. Dutchman’s breeches and Spring beauty are budding.

 

A solid week of seasonal spring weather has convinced wildflowers to bloom in Henry County. Snow trillium is on the decline, but you can still find it in sheltered areas. Sharp-lobed hepatica blooms are increasing. Virginia Bluebell blooms are increasing. Easily find scarlet cup fungus with its bright red color. Dutchman’s breeches are starting to emerge. Purple cress and Spring cress are in full bloom. Grape Hyacinth is in full bloom in the few places where it can be found. Blood root has emerged. Spring beauty are blooming in small numbers; they will not peak for several weeks. Prairie trillium have leafed out and are starting to bud. Virginia waterleaf and Jacob’s Ladder leaves are easy to find. 

 

Find rare putty root orchids on the woodland floor due to their single green leaf the size of a dollar bill. Dandelions are starting to bloom again. A close look at disturbed areas, like gravel and grass parking lots, reveal the very tiny common whitlowgrass in full bloom.

3/28/2025Western Iowa

Find snow trillium along trails in Martin's Access in Cherokee County. Pasque flowers are just starting to bloom. Virginia waterleaf has leaves, no buds yet. Find Virginia waterleaf leaves at Redtail Ridge.

 

Find Virginia waterleaf and Spring beauty leaves, no buds or blooms at Moorehead Park in Ida County. Maple trees are budding. Virginia waterleaf leaves are emerging in Sioux County.

 

Pasque flowers are in full bloom in prairies at Preparation Overlook in Monona/Harrison Counties. Ground plum is starting to bloom at Preparation Overlook. Pasque flowers are blooming in prairies at Mount Talbot State Preserve and Stone State Park and at Broken Kettle Grasslands and Joy Hollow Girl Scout Camp in Plymouth County.

 

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What wildflowers will you discover this spring?

Wildflowers are enticing treasures for wilderness lovers each year. One of the most encouraging signs of spring, the first wildflowers seem to bloom overnight.

Early spring wildflowers are commonly called ephemerals, which means “short-lived.”  They utilize a short time window when sunlight bathes the forest floor before tree leaves emerge to shade them out. It's a smart ecological adaptation and pretty, too. 

Wildflowers can be found by simply walking, or biking along trails, on a hike through a local or Iowa state park or just driving slowly along a county road. It's illegal to pick wildflowers in public conservation areas, so take a photo or sketch your finds and leave the plants untouched.

Spotting secretive wildflowers is a refreshing, unique spring activity for the whole family. Get outside this spring and see what you can find. Please take only pictures and leave the flowers for others to enjoy!

Common Spring Wildflowers

Wildflowers come in countless varieties and yet can be so fleeting. They sprinkle wild landscapes with color and send subtle fragrances into the nearby air. 

Look for these common Iowa spring wildflowers.

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Bring Your Camera

Spring colors are popping up across Iowa. Here are easy wildflower photography tips:

  • Avoid full, direct sunlight which can wash out colors. Early and late times of day yields dramatic side lighting.
  • Overcast days are best with soft and even light that contrasts nicely against saturated or delicate wildflower colors.
  • Moisture can help give photos interest. Shoot during light mist, or after a light rain. Droplets on leaves and flowers add interest.
  • Get down low for better flower photos. People are used to standing eye-level views.
    • For more dramatic photos, change the perspective and get down to flower level.
  • Wear old clothes or bring something to lay on to get down on a knee or your belly to create more interesting images taken from a ground-perspective.
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Make a Nature Journal

A nature journal is great for sketching the wildflowers you see. It’s also a fun way to record your outdoor adventures anytime you are out exploring - your backyard, a park or preserve. Look, listen, feel and have fun in nature!

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Resources

Ready to increase your wildflower activities and knowledge? These resources can help!

Wildflower Books & Guides

  • Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands by Sylvan Runkel and Alvin Bull
  • Iowa Trees & Wildflowers: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants by James Kavanagh
  • Wildflowers of the Midwest: Your Way to Easily Identify Wildflowers by Stan Tekiela
  • A Peterson Field Guide To Wildflowers: Northeastern and North-central North America by Margaret McKenny and Roger Tory Peterson
  • Wildflowers of the Midwest: A Field Guide to Over 600 Wildflowers in the Region by Don Kurz
  • Wildflowers of Southeastern Iowa -Volume 1 Spring by Don Weiss

Online Resources

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Fun Family Outdoor Activities

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Baby Wildlife - Leave them alone!

If you see wildlife babies on their own, let them be. Their parents know best, and most wildlife leave nests or dens well in advance of being able to care for themselves. Although broods or litters may become widely scattered during this fledgling period, they still remain under the direct care and feeding of their parents.

Not only is taking in wildlife illegal, it can often doom the creature you're trying to save. If you see injured, sick or wildlife in need, reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

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Tick Safety & Protection

  • More than a dozen tick species are found in Iowa, but three are most common: Blacklegged (deer tick), dog tick (wood tick), and the lone star tick.  Ticks are active March through November in Iowa.
  • Prevention is best. Protect yourself from ticks by:
  • Wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants tucked into socks
  • Wearing light colored clothes, which makes finding ticks easier.
  • Using repellent containing DEET
  • Adding permethrin repellents on clothing per label

  • Checking for ticks while you're out and once you're home  

    How to Remove Ticks

  • If you find yourself outdoors without tweezers and need to remove a tick:
  • Use fine weight fishing line, thread or floss tied into a simple overhand knot.
  • Gently tighten the knot around the head of the tick.
  • Slowly pull the ends of the line to tighten the knot and pull out the tick.
  • Always check your body and hair after spending time outdoors and remove ticks as soon as possible.
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