Nodding Trillium Unlike central Minnesota, where trilliums are found in abundance, the far less common nodding trillium is about the only variety you're likely to find in the true northwoods. To best spot this wildlflower, look for the large trillium leaves, then look underneath for the shy bloom. Look for it in moist shady locations, in richer soil.

Wild Ginger This is one of our most unusual spring wildflowers. To find it, first look for the green heart-shaped leaves (they're about as big around as a baseball when fully grown), then look under the leaves to find the purplish three-pronged flower that grpows from the base of the plant. Look for wild ginger in moist soils, especially bottom lands. It is fairly common in our area. Also, the roots can be harvested and soaked in sugar syrup before baking to create a ginger candy.

Bush Honeysuckle One of the northwood's most abundant plants, the bush honeysuckle blooms in early June, much to the delight of area bumblebees. This low-growing shrub is identified by its paired (or opposite) leaves and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that grow at the tips of the branches.

Coralroot Unlike most plants, this member of the orchid family has no chlorophyll. Instead it derives its food from decaying vegetation, much like fungi. Look for the small, three-lobed flowers and tall (up to 12") purplish stems in shady locations.

Click here for flowers of summer