Question: I am writing on behalf of a forest kindergarten class who is looking for an id for the plant described …
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Question
I am writing on behalf of a forest kindergarten class who is looking for an id for the plant described with photos attached. The school is located in Central Vermont. The student who found it wrote this description: "This is in the school woods. I found it, and it's short. (about 12-13 inches tall). It has purple flowers. It's starting to bloom. We don't even know if it poisonous or it's all good. " Any information you can provide about the plant would be helpful.
Answer
Dear Becky, the plant in the photograph is Daphne merzereum (February daphne). It is a non-native shrub that grows here and there in New England (while non-native, it is not invasive). It is related to our native Dirca palustris (eastern leatherwood). One of the first woody plants to flower that has showing flowers. Best wishes.
