Bloodroot is one of the many wildflowers that will pop up in natural areas this spring. (Submitted photo)

COLUMBUS – As the Buckeye State welcomes the arrival of native spring ephemerals, wildflower enthusiasts and nature lovers can track when, where, and what is blooming by accessing the weekly Ohio Spring Wildflower Bloom reports published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves at https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/see-the-sights/wildflowers.

“Despite Ohio’s very snowy and cold winter, early spring wildflowers, like skunk cabbage and harbinger-of-spring, are a welcome reminder that spring is just around the corner,” said Chief Jeff Johnson, ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. “ODNR’s weekly reports are a great way for Ohioans to discover the beauty of our native wildflowers and the special places where they can be found in bloom.”

Ohio’s woodlands provide the backdrop for a large and lovely array of native wildflowers across forest floors from late March until mid-May. The best and most diverse collections of wildflowers are found in relatively undisturbed locations away from urban areas. State nature preserves, parks, forests, and wildlife areas are excellent places to find dozens of wildflowers in bloom.

Available every Friday on ODNR’s website and social media platforms, the reports are organized by region (north, south, and central) and each report offers an extensive list of which wildflowers are blooming and the best places to see them. Additionally, the reports include wildflower and state nature preserve spotlights.

Though the southern and northern regions of the state may be several weeks apart in bloom time, by mid-April, dozens of wildflower species like spring beauty, bloodroot, squirrel-corn, Virginia bluebells, and trout lily may be just hitting peak bloom, while others, such as Jack-in-the-pulpit, wild geranium, and Solomon’s plume, won’t arrive until early May. Wildflower enthusiasts can keep track of what they see by using ODNR’s Spring Wildflower Checklist at https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/natural-areas/Wildflowers/wildflowerchecklist-horizontal03092021.pdf.

ODNR encourages Ohioans to share what’s blooming in their region and share images of native wildflowers on social media using the hashtag #OhioWildflowers and #OhioHeartofitall. Follow @ohiodnr and @ohionaturalareas on Instagram and Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves on Facebook to learn more about Ohio’s spring wildflowers. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.