![Lesser Yellow Lady's-slipper at Riveredge Nature Center](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00614-1030x685.jpg)
Spring flowers are flourishing right now at Riveredge! These are known as ephemerals, meaning they won’t last long – so get here to experience these beauties soon!
![](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00504-1030x762.jpg)
Great White Trillium Trillium grandiflorum has been blooming for a few weeks along the Milwaukee River trails. “But that flower isn’t white?!” you say? Indeed! As trillium flowers age, they commonly turn pinkish or purple before the petals wilt.
![Golden Alexander at Riveredge Nature Center](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00484-1030x685.jpg)
Golden Alexander Zizia aurea is one of the spring flowers blooming along the trails at Riveredge. It might not be immediately obvious, but this forb is in the carrot family.
![Wild Geranium](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00515-1030x696.jpg)
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum is blooming throughout forested areas. This herbal plant has been used for pain relief throughout history.
![](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00470-1030x707.jpg)
Another example of Wild Geranium, this image better displays the vascular structure of the petals.
![](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00529-1030x704.jpg)
Swamp Buttercup Ranunculus septentrionalis can be found throughout our moisture-rich lowlands. It can easily be confused for Marsh Marigold, but its flowers are much more pointed.
![Lesser Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Lesser-Yellow-Ladys-Slipper-1030x713.jpg)
Lesser Yellow Lady’s-slipper Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin, or Small Yellow Lady’s-slipper, is one of the more elaborate flowers, so named because of its appearance (the image above may show a better angle of the slipper appearance. Learn about our Native Orchid Restoration Project here.
![Small Yellow Lady's-slipper](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00621-1030x692.jpg)
Sometimes, don’t you just feel like a third slipper?
![Prairie Smoke](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00635-1030x689.jpg)
Blooming Spring Flowers in the Prairie at Riveredge
![Wild Columbine](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00647-1030x675.jpg)
One Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis was observed blooming in a shady spot adjacent to the dry prairie at Riveredge.
![Prairie Smoke](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00637-1030x703.jpg)
Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum is springing up from the soil, but hasn’t yet opened to show the wispy tassels for which it is named.
![Prairie Shooting Star](https://riveredgenaturecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC00464-1030x724.jpg)
Prairie Shooting Star Dodecatheon meadia is just beginning to blossom in a few spots. This flower is easy to distinguish because it looks like it’s pointing to the ground.