I’ll bet some readers will recognize this odd, but relatively common natural phenomenon. If you don’t know what it is, the convoluted spirals may seem rather fantastical; reminiscent more of old-time ribbon candy than something in nature. Black and white images can make the familiar strange, and the unfamiliar even stranger…
Another view of the same crystalline creation, usually observable for just a few days a year, and only in the range of certain common perennial plants (that’s a clue).
So what is it? Share if you know – the next post will enlighten on the science of how it happens, as soon as I have researched the details myself!
one forest fragment 
sweetgumandpines
Ice ribbons? I think they usually form on frostweed (Verbesina virginica), though I have never seen them myself.
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oneforestfragment
You’re the first to get it! Extra points for never having seen them either, Perhaps the SC climate doesn’t have the required weather conditions?
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Jim Carter
Yes, Frost Flowers or Ice Flowers and probably on White Crownbeard, Verbesina virginica. The weather in SC is appropriate if you can find White Crownbeard. Finding the plants at the right time is the key.
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Melissa Rue
Frost flowers. Have never seen them. Would love to.
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oneforestfragment
This is the right time of year to find them; early morning after a night of below freezing temp.’s. Need to find a weedy area with White Crownbeard, Verbesina virginica, a tall perennial that’s relatively common in this area.
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Kenny Popp
great find, I have seen them on the Knobstone trail. There was a great story on them last year on PBS. Kenny
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oneforestfragment
Thanks Kenny!
In our area they occur only on White Crownbeard, Verbesina virginica. The plant that produced this formation is just below #20, on the right side of the trail.
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Beth
I have a nice patch of them I walk by on my daily dog walk. They “bloom” quite nicely every time the temps drop to freezing.
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blissgrey
I wonder, could these be found in Kentucky?
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