I’ve been watching for the first signs of Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) making its spring appearance. And today, this is what I found. Perfect timing!

In just a few days the plant will develop flowers and green leaves. You can see a leaf on the left which looks like a green butterfly. This “butterfly leaf” is why the plant has its “twinleaf” name.

Here’s a better look at the leaves and a seed pod that is just beginning to develop.

And this funny looking guy is actually an opened seed pod ripe and ready for ants which love these seeds, to come along and take the seeds to their nests. The seeds have appendages called elaiosomes which is what the ants love about the seeds. The ants will bring those seeds with the elaiosomes back to their nests and feed their larvae those elaiosomes. That will leave the seeds in the nest in a perfect spot to take root, spreading the Twinleaf plants, thanks to the little ant farmers.

All this will take just a few days to develop. I’ll be checking on the new plants everyday to see what is going on. And for tonight — Happy Astronomical SPRING!

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