Another plant that has hidden flowers, this time hanging beneath the leaves. They were not yet out today.

There are many, many species of hawthorn, all with thorns and creamy white flowers in spring.

A colourful patch of wildflowers.

The spring greens of newly opening leaves makes a walk through the old woods particularly pleasing, that and the various wildflowers that can be seen there.

The flowers of this native plant grow low to the ground, so you have to get down on your knees to see them. THE USDA website has an interesting explanation for why the flowers are the way they are:

"The flower evolved to attract small pollinating flies that emerge from the ground early in the spring looking for a thawing carcass of an animal that did not survive the winter. By lying next to the ground flower is readily found by the emerging flies. The color of the flower is similar to that of decomposing flesh. Whether these flies pollinate the flower or not is in some dispute. Nevertheless they do enter the flower to escape the cold winds of early spring and to feast upon the flowers pollen. Some of the pollen attaches to their bodies and is taken with them when they visit the next flower."

THese native spring wildflowers are so fleeting (hence the name that applies to this and other early blooming spring flowers - ephemeral). It was only a few weeks ago that I photographed the freshly blooming flowers and now they have entirely vanished, but the large leaves remain for now.