Recent weather has confirmed winter is really here. While the hours of sunshine will be getting marginally longer in a few days, the appearance of frost in the morning is not a surprise to anyone.
Last week’s painful cold temperatures will lead to noticeably higher power bills in the coming weeks. The short days and low thermometer readings have taken a toll on plants too.
Sweet gums, cherries, some oaks and many other hardwoods, weeds and shrubs have lost their leaves. Their period of seasonal dormancy is here as they await spring’s reawakening.
For a minority of plants, the frigid temperatures and short days are the ideal environment to sprout, bloom and grow next year’s seeds. Wild radish is one such plant which is currently in bloom.
Raphanus raphanistrum, the scientific name for wild radish, is a native of northern Europe and northern Asia. This annual flourishes in marginal soils and has spread to most of the world, especially areas with disturbed soil.
Crimson Clover, the cool season annual frequently seen on road shoulders, is just beginning to produce foliage noticed by the human population. Deer, however, have already noticed the plant’s tender leaves and nibbled at greenery.
The term Raphanus has a Greek origin meaning quickly appearing. This accurately describes the rapid emergence and growth when the soil temperature falls below 65 degrees and enough moisture is present.
The bloom color of wild radishes can vary. Yellow and white are the most commonly encountered colors, but lavender is occasionally on display.
When first emerging wild radish leaves are kidney shaped and covered with hairs on the top, bottom and on the stems. Ultimately, the plant may reach three feet in height, but it will rapidly decline with the return of warm weather.
Crimson clover is another cold season annual commonly seen in wintertime panhandle Florida. Their delicate-appearing leaves remain viable under a coat of sparkling frost and never wilt.
Three clover leaves per stem is the most common structure on this densely growing legume. Persistent searching will reveal the infrequent four-leaf clover for the lucky individual.
This European native germinates in late autumn but has a slow, steady growth pattern which lets it escape notice until about this time of year. The plants are currently becoming clumps of green leaves among brown grass.
The distinctly red blooms appear in spring and are an early season nectar source for European honeybees. The scientific name, Trifolium incarnatum, references the “blood red” bloom color which produces a striking vista when mass plantings occur.
Crimson clover is commonly seeded on roadsides to stabilize the soil and add organic matter. This annual legume will reseed itself when conditions are right.
The Roundleaf Bluet, or Innocence, is a tiny, native wildflower currently in bloom. Its white flowers are about the size of a dime and appear in clusters of ten or more blooms.
The height of this plant is less than two inches and barely appears above the decaying leaf litter. The plant requires partial sun, but it uses the protection offered by the tree canopy, along with its natural hardiness, to produce blossoms during periods of cold and frost.
Like plants, many of the insect pollinators are inactive during the cold weather. One which is active is the Syrphid fly, sometimes called a hoverfly.
They work with the available cool season pollen and nectar sources to assure seed production for next winter’s blooming annuals. Their wasp-like appearance serves as a bluff to deter potential predators like birds.
While insect activity has slowed during the winter, the appetites for tasty bugs are as intense as ever and a successful winter pollination season depends on cool season pollinators.
Leave a Reply