Dutchman's breeches

Woodland wildflowers are blooming now. This time of year is a great time to take a hike in the woods.

More woodland flowers bloom in early spring than at any other time of the year. Most trees have only begun to leaf out at this time and sunlight is able to warm the forest floor, encouraging flowers to grow.

The flower shown here is native to Southeast Missouri. It is called Dutchman's breeches because the blossoms look like pantaloons hung out to dry. Like many other native wildflowers of the forest, this flower will bloom for only a few weeks. It will then seem to disappear from the landscape, only to reappear the following spring.

Ants are often seen climbing on Dutchman's breeches, collecting the seeds. Ants will carry the seeds to their underground nest, where they will eat an outer portion of the seed structure. Upon discarding the flower's seed, the ant inadvertently will plant the seed. I wonder whether the expression "ants in your pants" originated with this flower.