T his wildflower bloomed in the low pine woods along North Carolina's Tar River. The blossom, called a pink lady's slipper, was plucked nearly nine decades ago - on May 16, 1936 - and stored away. This pair of pink lady's slipThese from 1997 had blossomed by mid-April, a full month earlier than their counterpart 60 years before. These from 1997 had blossomed by mid-April, a full month earlier than their counterpart 60 years before. At this rate, the orchids may eventually bloom before bees are fully out and about, cutting the chances that pollen catches a ride to other pink lady's slippers and that plants procreate.

Source: Washington Post June 10, 2024 05:02 UTC