WILD FLOWER BLOOMING OBSERVATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS 
American Philosophical Society's 
Committee on Education and Participation in Science 
104 South Fifth Street 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
WHEN DO CUR SPRING FIOTIERS BLOOM?                             March 15,
1941 
The obvious answer, of course, is in the spring. Actually, however, scien-

tists are seriously interested in the exact flowering dates of' our early-bloom-

ing wild plants. 
Much remains to be discovered concerning the behavior of even the commonest

native species and again an appeal is being made to amateur scientists to
carry 
on observations, acting as volunteers. The Committee sponsors other research

programs for laymen in climatology, radio and zoology. 
HOW TO MPKE OBSERVATIONS. 
The Log 
The attached log, or chart, contains the names of forty familiar spring 
plants selected primarily for observation within a thirty mile radius of
Phila- 
delphia. These are arranged in approximate order of the opening of their
flowers. 
The accompanying sheets of line drawings have been prepared to aid in the
recog- 
nition of about a third of the species on the list. henever doubt concerning

identification arises, the observer will do well to collect a representative
por- 
tion of the plant and submit it, by mail, to Dr. John M. Fogg, Jr., Department
of 
Botany, University of Pennsylvania, 38th and W'oodland Avenue, Philadelphia.
(Dr. 
Fogg is Gonsulttmt in Botany to the Committee on Education and Participation
in 
Science). 
Beside the names of each plant are spaces for entering the dates of open-

ing of the first flower caidshedding of the pollen. The latter observation
may 
be difficult to make, but with a little care the observer will soon come
to know 
just vhtn the anthers are shedding their pollen. In the case of wind-pollinated

species, the mere shaking of the flower will release a small cloud of pollen

grains. In other plants a pocket lens or magnifying glass will reveal the
fact 
that thc anthers have split open and are liberating the pollen. 
In the columns headed "weather conditions," all that is desired
is a simple 
statement such as "cold, clear," "warm, cloudy," etc.
Temperature data are, of 
course, desirable w:hen availablc. 
LOCALITIES FOR OBSERVATION 
It is to be understood that the observer needs to make at least two visits

to the plant or group of plants of each species bcing: studied. Also, it
is 
quite permissible to observe pilants at several stations or localities, but
this 
fact should be indicated on the chart. If time is limited, dates of only
a few 
species will be welcome. Observers are urged to keep a duplicate chart in
order 
to make their oi-an record so that a comparison of blooming dates may be
made over 
several seasons. Duplicate charts can be obtained from the Committee on Educa-

tion and Participation in Science, The American Philosophical Society, 104
South 
Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Penna. A similar list of cultivated plants has
been 
prepared and can be secured upon request.