I found the first Slinkpod, Scoliopus bigelovii, blooming on a sunny spot on the forest floor a few days before Christmas.

This diminutive member of the Lily family is our earliest blooming wildflower. It stands only about an inch and a half high. See the emerging leaves cupping the stem? There are two leaves, and by the time they are full grown, they can be six to twelve inches long with mottled spots!

If you have never found this wildflower, look for these mottled leaves in the spring. They will tell you where these exquisite little flowers come up. You should start looking around Christmas.

We had another rip roaring storm last night. 2.23 inches in Rick's and my rain gauge. Season to date is 38.97 inches. 50 inches is a normal wet winter here. Boy, are we well on our way! Now we have some days to dry out.