Germany lies in the temperate climatic zone of Europe and has a species-rich flora that adorn forests and meadows with a real play of colors. The forest flowers in the local climes allow a unique view of the diversity that nature offers. If you are interested in Germany's forest flowers, you can easily recognize them by their bright colors.
What colors are there?
Anyone who has spent part of their childhood in the forest will be able to easily identify many of the flowers that can be found in the undergrowth and on the edge of the forest. It is true that the German flora focuses on a small selection of colors that are original and, in contrast to tropical plants, appear rather simple. Forest flowers bloom in the following colors:
- White
- greenish
- blue and purple
- reddish
- yellow
- multicolored
Tip: When determining a flower, don't just use color as a guide. Patterns on the leaves, the shape of the flowers and the growth provide further information about which plant it could be.
Forest flowers in white
The local forests have a tendency to white flowers, which stretch between the green undergrowth towards the sun to greet hikers and nature lovers with their flowers. In addition to the yellow flowers, they form the largest group and are extremely popular due to their coloring. What is striking about the white forest flowers are the numerous flowers, which are in the most varied Find shapes on the plants and from magnificent umbels to panicles, as with the foam flowers. They stand out very much from their green leaves and are very popular as hair accessories. Some of the species, including lily of the valley, woodruff and wild garlic are among the most famous plants that can be found especially in spring. The woodruff is even one of the first plants that can be found in the forest in spring and has been used by people for thousands of years.
The following forest flowers bloom in white:
- Giersch (Aegopodium podagraria)
- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
- Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
- Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
- Forest foam herb (Cardamine flexuosa)
- Meadow foam herb (Cardamine pratensis)
- lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Forest strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
- Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
- Forest goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus)
- Immenblatt (Melittis melissophyllum)
- Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- Little Bibernelle (Pimpinella saxifraga)
- Foam flowers (Tiarella)
- Great witch herb (Circaea lutetiana)
- Märzenbecher (Leucojum vernum)
Forest flowers in greenish tones
The number of flowers in greenish hues is extremely low, as flowers prefer flashy colors to attract bees and other pollinators. Not so with these three species, which, compared to the other plants, have a light green color that often combines yellow elements. Above all, the alternate spleenwort has an intense green tone that even appears golden or yellowish in different light spectra. On the other hand, the real Solomon's seal with the flowers hanging down in an extremely pale shade of green, almost white, is abundant and attracts many people because of its scent. But you have to be careful here, because the Solomon's seal is poisonous and can lead to a variety of symptoms. In Russia, for example, it was used as an emetic. This is why you should look at this flower from a safe distance. The sage germander is found mainly in light forests and is more widespread in southern Germany.
- Alternate leaved milkweed (Chrysosplenium alternifolium)
- Real Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum)
- Sage germander (Teucrium scorodonia)
Forest flowers in blue and purple
In the case of blue and purple forest flowers, it is often difficult to define whether the flower is blue or purple. If it's not obvious, like the fragrant violet or the liverwort, it is very easy to mix up the individual species. The European cyclamen is one of the most poisonous flowers that you can find in the Alpine region. It is protected in Bavaria and should never be picked yourself, as the effects can be life-threatening. The spotted lungwort is an old medicinal herb and is very popular due to its flower shape, which resembles a calyx, and the intense color, plowed and given away. Blue and purple forest flowers are visible in the forest within a few moments and they are often among the species that thrive in partial shade or shade. Of course you can
Scented violets should not be forgotten here, which were already consecrated to deities in antiquity, as they have an extremely intense scent that has made them a flower of love.- Spotted lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
- Fragrant violets (Viola odorata)
- Forest cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum)
- Creeping Gunsel (Ajuga reptans)
- Gundelrebe (Glechoma hederacea)
- Marsh skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata)
- Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)
- Purple orchid (Orchis purpurea)
- Hollow lark spur (Corydalis cava)
- Hepatica (Anemone hepatica)
- European cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens)
Forest flowers in reddish colors
Flowers in reddish tones can be seen from afar on their blossoms, which, like the red foxglove, can be found on a shoot that rises up away from the leaves. It is the most common foxglove species in Europe and also an extremely poisonous plant in which all parts of the plant are poisonous. Nevertheless, due to its red, almost purple color, it attracts many enthusiasts who photograph the plant. The narrow-leaved willowherb is one of the most famous forest flowers in reddish color.
In the 18th In the 19th century, the German botanist Christian Konrad Sprengel observed the concept of cross-pollination, which has led to a better understanding of the entire plant world. The Immenblatt is the only representative of this genus and has chosen a location in deciduous forests with precious woods. The Immenblatt is popular because of its sweet scent, which mainly attracts bees and bumblebees. They even smell like honey.
- Red thimble (Digitalis purpurea)
- Real comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
- Red carnation (Silene dioica)
- Immenblatt (Melittis melissophyllum)
- Narrow-leaved willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium)
- Purple dead nettle (Lamium purpureum)
Forest flowers in yellow
It appears yellow in the forest. Yellow flowers belong to the most species-rich group when it comes to colored flowers that can be found in the forest. When taking a walk in the forest, it is worth looking at trees, under ferns and other corners of the forest, because this is where some of these specimens may be hiding. The following forest flowers are all found in German forests and many of them are very popular and known to everyone. The best example are the cowslips, which can be found in several species in the forests, above all the high cowslip.
It is a so-called spring messenger and can already be found in March in alluvial forests and brook edges that run through these forests. Of course, the forest gold star must not be forgotten here, which draws attention to itself with its bright flowers. Another representative of this category are the popular yellow anemones, which, like the wood anemones, stand out with their large petals.
- Real cowslip (Primula veris)
- High cowslip (Primula elatior)
- Gold buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus)
- Yellow anemone (Anemone ranunculoides)
- Forest yellow star (Gagea lutea)
- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
- Grove lettuce (Aposeris)
- Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae)
- Little balsam (Impatiens parviflora)
- Great balsam (Impatiens noli-tangere)
- Meadow quail wheat (Melampyrum pratense)
- Common loosestrife(Lysimachia vulgaris)
- Pennywort (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Golden nettle (Lamium galeobdolon)
- Forest hawkweed (Hieracium murorum)
- Real clove root (Geum urbanum)
- Figwort (Ficaria verna)
- Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
- Yellow violet (Viola biflora)
Multi-colored forest flowers
The Helleborus is one of the few forest flowers that comes in several colors and does not have a primary tone. Helleborus is also known as hellebore and snow lilies and this rooster plant is found from Europe to Asia. They stand out because of their large leaves and also have five petals that range from red to purple to white and green. The Christmas rose, another name for Helleborus, occurs in these numerous shades and also in other types that can be found in Germany and Europe. The lovely elven flowers, Epimedium, also belong to the multicolored flowers. The barberry family immediately catches the eye with their uniquely shaped flowers, which are curved in an elegant shape and look really fantastic.
Habitat of forest flowers
The native forest flowers are all distributed over the forests, which are mainly found in Central Europe and the Alpine region. Because of their multitude, every walk in summer and spring is characterized by the aromas and colors of these Plants that are not only used in medicine and the kitchen, but also inspire artists of all ages to have. If you are looking for a specific flower, it is worthwhile to find out the necessary information about the preferred location beforehand. Some flowers can only be found near water and deciduous forests, while the red foxglove, for example, thrives particularly well in newly planted coniferous forests. However, if you are not sure which of these plants you are looking for, it is worth simply going into nature and looking for interesting specimens along the forest paths. The necessary information about the plant is easy to find by choosing the right color.
Protected plants
Before you pick one of the forest flowers, you should be aware of whether this flower is under nature protection. Many of the above species are controlled and are either on the endangered species list or are protected for other reasons. Wild garlic is one of those plants that cannot be picked just like that. Whether you want to hang up the flower as a spice or to dry, this is not permitted.
If the plant is not an herb and is only used for decoration, you may only pick a small bouquet that fits between your thumb and forefinger. This prevents large quantities of plants from simply being stolen, as they usually provide a basis for bees, insects, birds and mammals in some form. Be careful not to pick flowers in national parks. There is always a ban on picking plants and even if the temptation is great, this can lead to legal problems.
Popular forest flowers
Violets are one of the most popular forest flowers. Due to their numerous species with an intense scent, they are often taken into their own gardens and delight as soon as they are discovered along the way. In addition to the violets, the cowslips, which everyone probably knows from childhood, also inspire. They have a high proportion of ingredients that have a positive effect on health. The spring knot flower is known throughout Germany thanks to its other name, Märzenbecher. This flower is found in many mixed and alluvial forests and is also protected and poisonous. It is already noticeable in early spring and often breaks out from under the snow cover in order to be able to stretch out towards the new sun.
