This week, with the first major blast of wintry weather in the U.S., the atmosphere brought not only snow and frigid temperatures but something captivating: frost flowers.
These remarkable formations occur as thin ribbons of ice, extending into intricate patterns when frozen water breaks through certain types of plant stems. Unfortunately, they are quite delicate and can crumble with a single touch, lasting only for a few hours.
The phenomenon is predominantly found in the Eastern half of the U.S., especially in the northern regions where hard freezes are more prevalent. Their visual resemblance to cotton candy or spun glass adds to their enchanting beauty.
Many individuals, fascinated by this occurrence, eagerly rise early during cold snaps to catch a glimpse before the warming rays of the sun take them away.
This week, on Monday and Tuesday, social media was filled with images from Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and beyond, showcasing fields and backyards adorned with these fleeting pieces of natural art.
Alan Templeton, a professor emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis, remarked, “You have to be at the right time, at the right place. You see them and you know they’re going to be gone in an hour or two. So it’s this very ephemeral, but highly variable beauty, and it’s that combination that makes me so fascinated by them.”
While distinctive ice patterns are mainly associated with a few common plants, including white and yellow wingstem plants, the exact conditions are crucial for their appearance. These include a warm, wet ground to facilitate water movement from the plant’s roots to the stem, along with sufficiently cold air to freeze the liquid before it escapes.
Templeton, who has encountered frost flowers over the decades, expressed their beauty and uniqueness: “Each one is unique. There’s no two frost flowers that are the same.” When he ventured out recently to a conservation area known for abundant frost flowers, he found only a few due to earlier seasonal appearances and insufficiently cold temperatures.
Crystal Legens from Tennessee discovered frost flowers three years ago in her rural surroundings and initially mistook them for spider webs. Her experience highlights how many may live without ever witnessing this uncommonly beautiful natural event.
The hidden beauty of frost flowers serves as a reminder that nature's wonders often need specific conditions and timing to manifest, leaving many people unaware of their existence.
