Vernalization and spring flowers

Vernalization is the the process of flowering in the spring as plants that have lain dormant through a cold winter emerge into the longer days and start touting their nectar to insects and other pollenators with bright and colourful blooms. The word comes from the Latin vernus, meaning “of the spring” and is (obviously) related to vernal, as in vernal equinox. Such a simple definition belies an incredibly complicated underlying biochemistry. But, that’s for another blog, this one is all about the pretty pictures:

Tags: flowers, spring, vernalization