COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio's meadows and woodlands are putting on their best spring finery as the annual wildflower-viewing season gets underway, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Virginia bluebells, fire-pink, bloodroot, blue violets and spring beauties, as well as varieties of trilliums are just a few of the flowers that are beginning to bloom across the state. Warmer temperatures and increased daylight hours are carpeting forest floors in shades of blue, pink, yellow and white.
As Ohio parks and natural areas protect some of the best remaining natural habitats in the state, they also make for spectacular wildflower viewing, said Jim McCormac, a botanist with the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. Ohio's vast array of native wildflowers offers something for everyone.
To help nature enthusiasts make the most of this very special outdoor season, ODNR has compiled a list of the most popular and showy wildflowers and where they are most easily and abundantly found. Here's a list by species and region:
SOUTHERN OHIO
Indian paintbrush - One of the very few wildflowers with an orange blossom, this native species grows 4 to 6 inches high and blooms at the end of April. A tiny pioneer cemetery tucked into the vast Shawnee State Forest in Scioto County offers the best viewing opportunity. Take Route 125 west from Shawnee State Park Lodge to Upper Twin Creek Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles to the cemetery. Indian paintbrush is also locally abundant along the back roads of nearby Adams County.
Yellow ladies'-slipper - Outdoor enthusiasts can look for this uncommon beauty in mid-May when it begins to appear in scattered numbers along the roads and hiking trails of southern Ohio. Indian legend says the big, yellow sac-like flowers could be worn as moccasins- hence the name. The Lampblack Bridle Trail in Shawnee State Park in Scioto County is a good viewing location. Park at the state park office and walk west toward the lodge. Turn left onto the service center road that becomes the trail. The flowers are about a half-mile from the trailhead on the right.
Long-spurred violet - Easy to spot by its unusual pale lavender blossom, this wildflower shoots a long "spur" from the back of its flower head. It blooms in early May throughout southern Ohio. The trails of Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve in Hocking County provide good viewing opportunities. Take Route 664 south from Logan to Route 374. Go a mile north to Big Pine Road, then a quarter mile east to the preserve parking lot.
Hoary puccoon - One of the easiest locales to find this small, yellowish-orange wildflower is Adams County. They grow about 6 inches high and bloom in early May, then form a hard, bony fruit. Adams Lake Prairie State Nature Preserve, located inside Adams Lake State Park, is home to significant numbers. The park and preserve are located a mile north of West Union on Route 41.
CENTRAL OHIO
Bloodroot - This April "bloomer" has one of the shortest life spans of any Ohio wildflower. Its large, white blossoms are frequently visible for only a day! Seymour Woods State Nature Preserve in Delaware County offers good viewing opportunities. Take U.S. 23 north from Worthington 8 miles to Winter Road. Go west three-quarters of a mile to the preserve's gate.
Virginia waterleaf - One of four waterleaf species found in Ohio, the Virginia waterleaf is probably the showiest. It blooms pale to dark purple flowers throughout much of May and is common at Davey Woods State Nature Preserve in Champaign County. Take U.S. 36 west from Urbana 7 miles to Neal Road. Go north a mile to Smith Road, then west a half mile to Lonesome Road, which leads to the preserve's parking area.
NORTHERN OHIO
Marsh marigold - True to its name, marsh marigold is found in wet woodland habitats such as Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve in Richland County. The plant's vivid yellow blooms appear about 6 to 8 inches off the ground in late April. To find Fowler Woods, take Olivesburg-Fitchville Road 6 miles from Olivesburg to the preserve. A handicapped-accessible trail is available.
Large-flowered trillium - Ohio's official state wildflower blooms in early to mid-May and covers woodland floors with large white blossoms that turn pinkish with age. Large-flowered trillium is found in a variety of places throughout Ohio, but one special spot is Howard Collier State Nature Preserve in Seneca County. Take County Road 58 east from McCutcheonville for 3 miles to Township Road 131. Turn north for a half-mile to Township Road 38, then east for a quarter-mile to the preserve's parking lot.
Wild blue phlox - Found in nearly all areas of Ohio, this delicate blue wildflower carpets shaded woodlands in the early spring, then seems to disappear when the tree cover closes overhead. Showy displays can be found at Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve in Wayne County from mid April to mid May. Take Route 57 north from Orrville 4 miles to Fox Lake Road. Turn east a mile to the preserve's parking lot.
Fire-pink - This brilliant red wildflower grows 8 inches tall and features a five-petal blossom. It is generally found along dry, wooded roadsides and blooms from late April to mid May. Kendrick Woods State Nature Preserve in Allen County is home to significant numbers. Take Route 81 west from Lima to Defiance Trail. Turn north a half mile to the preserve's parking lot.
The ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves oversees 126 state nature preserves throughout Ohio. Eighty-one of the preserves are open to the public from dawn to dusk daily. Visitors to the remaining 45 preserves must first obtain a permit from ODNR or managing agency. For more information on Ohio's spring wildflower season visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com .