Above: There is something magical about an Appalachian woodlands, especially when wood sorrel's shamrock-shaped leaves add to the enchantment by carpeting nearly every inch of ground-lumps and folds marking where the plants have grown upon rocks, boulders, and fallen trees. Right: As I ventured forth on my first Appalachian Trail hike, I could have counted on my fingers all the flowers I knew. Yet, as I walked northward, I could not ignore the spring beauty's pink and white petals promising warmer temperatures. March/April 2018 39