It seems Arkansas only had one good week of fall weather before winter chilled the state. The bread and milk aisles may already be empty but this early cold front did give us a small treat. Head outside to see if you can spot any of the early-blooming frost flowers.
Small fields of frost flowers have already popped up around the state.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Bonita Bateman Typically Arkansas doesn’t see frost flowers until late December or even well into January.
The unexpected cold snap caused the flowers to “bloom” early.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Teri Turner These little sculptures are created when freezing weather occurs while the ground is still warm.
The flowers can have quite a few forms, depending on how the plant’s sap froze.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Bonita Bateman The stems of small plants will snap once the sap freezes and expands. The escaped water will freeze into different shapes from wide wings to swirly ribbons.
From afar you may think you’re seeing crumpled up paper, but tread lightly, you may have stumbled upon one of the dainty flowers.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Lynn Pugh Johnson Be sure to snap a picture, these little flowers won’t last long after winter officially sets in and the ground freezes.
If you know when to look for them, frost flowers can be spotted as soon as you walk out the door but don’t stop there.
Facebook/Lodges of Arkansas Use this early blooming as an excuse to get outside and hike one of Arkansas’ gorgeous trails! The Cedar Falls Trail in Petit Jean State Park would be the perfect place to start.
We would love to see your frost flower and wintry photos in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. Many of the photos featured today came from our group members! You should join for your chance to be featured (like Bonita Bateman, Teri Turner, Lynn Pugh Johnson today) and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Bonita Bateman
Typically Arkansas doesn’t see frost flowers until late December or even well into January.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Teri Turner
These little sculptures are created when freezing weather occurs while the ground is still warm.
The stems of small plants will snap once the sap freezes and expands. The escaped water will freeze into different shapes from wide wings to swirly ribbons.
Facebook/Arkansas Nature Lovers/Lynn Pugh Johnson
Be sure to snap a picture, these little flowers won’t last long after winter officially sets in and the ground freezes.
Facebook/Lodges of Arkansas
Use this early blooming as an excuse to get outside and hike one of Arkansas’ gorgeous trails! The Cedar Falls Trail in Petit Jean State Park would be the perfect place to start.
If you’re needing some outdoor inspiration take on this gorgeous stairway waterfall trail.
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