Perhaps the best time to look for wildflowers is early spring when numerous types of “spring ephemerals'' flower in the sunlight before the trees leaf out. Some common species to look for then include Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and Wild Phlox (Phlox divaricata) among many others. Ferns love the summer weather and, in later summer, look for Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), which is common throughout the park, as deer seem to avoid it.

Guess what? Poison Ivy is a native that provides berries in the winter for birds and insects and caterpillars feed on it. So keep your distance and just leave it do its job in the ecosystem.

Also, check out this more complete plant list for Cabin John Creek Stream Valley Park. Use the iNaturalist​ app to identify plants along the trail.

Create a conservation garden of native plants in your yard to support the ecosystem!