Ephemerality

To be short lived, temporary, or fleeting. The Greek origin is "ephemeros" (meaning "lasting only one day").

Right now the spring ephemerals are making their annual appearance. The ephemerals appear when the weather warms, but before the tree canopy fills with leaves shading out the forest floor.

The Virginia Spring Beauties have been waiting to bloom, and now they are beginning their beautiful , brief show. Virginia spring beauties have long thin leaves, while Carolina spring beauties have rounded wider leaves.

The blooms last about three days, but the five stamens are only active for a single day. The petals are striped with pink veins that reflect ultraviolet light that signals spring pollinators.