Depending on where you live you may have seen these strange white things on the ground in the fall. They blossom only when the conditions are perfect in the cover of darkness of the first below-freezing days in the fall. These wonderful things are called frost flowers.
Frost flowers are incredibly elusive. The weather conditions have to be absolutely perfect for the magnificent flowers to be formed and as quickly as they appear, they vanish.
Frost flowers are nothing more than fine strings of ice woven together from the winter air. The moisture for the flowers comes for plants with larger stems. They develop when air temperatures are below freezing while the ground temperature is warm. The warm condition allows the roots to still pump moisture through the plant. Once the water flows up into the stem, the cold air freezes them. As this moisture freezes and expands, the stem will crack open and the ice crystals will come out creating the amazing beauty of frost flowers.
Each flower is unique. Each stem blossoms its own wonderful design. The layers of ice form beautiful curves and dynamic patterns that need to be appreciated and applauded.
Each flower forms its own petals of ice, ribbons of white that speckle the ground in the early morning light.
These flowers are very fragile as they are extremely delicate.
Each flower’s life is short for as soon as the sun’s rays hit them they quickly disappear forever. Once a flower has formed; no more can appear from that plant ending the very short period of time we get to see this magical wonder.
To find these, look for areas of tall weeds where it’s not been recently mowed usually in areas that are home to blackberries and wingstems. I find them mainly along roadways where they only mow once or twice a year. But remember, the conditions have to be perfect, normally the first below-freezing night so get out early to look for them as the sun rays will melt them quickly.
If you are ever lucky enough to see these wonderous creations be sure to take some pictures and share the magic with your family and friends. Get in close to really appreciate the details of Mother Nature’s design.
