Welcome back to Tree Facts Friday with ArborWise Tree Management!
The Beauty and Benefits of Herbaceous Understory Growth
I’m Kayli Hoy, an ISA Certified Arborist based in Rochester, Minnesota.
This week, we’re coming to you from Carley State Park in Wabasha County to explore one of the most overlooked, yet vital, parts of a forest ecosystem: Herbaceous Understory Growth. Let’s get rockin’!
What Is the Forest Understory?
The understory layer of a forest is made up of small trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants that thrive in the shade beneath larger canopy trees.
These plants have adapted to low-light environments and often play an essential role in the overall health of the forest.
Unlike woody trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants have soft, green stems that lack lignin — the tough compound that gives wood its rigidity. Because of this, their growth is often ephemeral — short-lived and seasonal.
Understanding Ephemeral Plants
Ephemeral plants complete their entire life cycle — from growth to flowering to death — within a few short weeks. Many emerge in early spring before the forest canopy fills in, taking advantage of the sunlight that still reaches the forest floor.
Common examples of ephemeral and herbaceous plants you might recognize include:
- Trillium
- Bloodroot
- Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
- Wild Geranium
- Phlox
- Lily of the Valley
- Ferns and Violets
- Plum Trees and False Solomon’s Seal
These species add bursts of color and life to the forest in early spring and are crucial for pollinators emerging from winter dormancy.
Why the Understory Matters
Herbaceous understory plants are more than just beautiful — they are ecological powerhouses.
They influence:
- Water conservation, by improving soil infiltration and moisture retention
- Soil stability, by preventing erosion through their root networks
- Water quality, by reducing runoff and filtering nutrients
- Wildfire mitigation, by decreasing available dry fuel on the forest floor
Additionally, these plants can either compete with or support young tree seedlings, influencing which trees successfully grow to maturity. Many understory plants also serve as vital food sources for birds, insects, and small mammals.
Virginia Bluebells: A Native Treasure
One of the best examples of a native herbaceous plant in Minnesota is the Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica).
This stunning spring ephemeral is known for its bell-shaped flowers and delicate green foliage.
Native species like Virginia Bluebells play a vital role in forest ecosystems by:
- Supporting pollinator diversity
- Enhancing nutrient recycling in the soil
- Encouraging forest regeneration
- Restoring health and vitality to the forest floor
Carley State Park is one of the few remaining places in Minnesota where visitors can still experience this type of old-growth forest and see a thriving understory in action.
The Bigger Picture: A Balanced Ecosystem
Healthy forests depend on balance, between canopy trees, shrubs, and the herbaceous layer below.
Each layer contributes to the forest’s biodiversity, resilience, and ability to recover from natural or human disturbances.
By protecting and preserving herbaceous understory growth, we help ensure that forests continue to function as vibrant, self-sustaining ecosystems.
Stay Connected with ArborWise
We hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Tree Facts Friday!
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Join us next week as we dive into the topic of Trees and Construction — and as always, keep on rockin’ in the tree world!
