Plants that grow in the forest or under the canopies
of trees and shrubs mostly flower either very early in spring before the leaves
appear or late in autumn. Few forest plants can cope with the shade of late
spring, summer and early autumn enough to be able to produce enough nutrients
to bare flowers at the same time. Especially in early spring the woodland can
be carpeted by often low-growing plants known as cryptofytes, a term coined by
the Danish biologist Raubkiaer. These plant all retreat into the ground when
growing conditions become unfavourable. Most of these plants have underground
tubers or rhizomes; some have bulbs.
The Japanese Liverwort (Hepatica japonica) is a dainty
little plant that naturally grows in mountain forests. It is often the first
plant to poke its flowers through the snow. The Wood anemone is related to the
liverworts and grows all over Europe. The plant disappears completely after it
has set seed to resurface early the following year. The Dogtooth violet
(Erythronium den-canis) isn't related to violets, but a bulbous plant in the
lily-family. As the flowers mature they will fold upwards like cyclamen. Like
cyclamen and liverworts the leaves are mottled or covered with spots. This
feature enhances the amount of natural light the leaves can process.
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