The appearance of Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina, is another sign of spring.

Moschatel, Adoxa moschatellina

Easily missed, this plant can be found in woodlands, where carpets the shady ground under the trees. The flowers are pale yellowish green and four are arranged at right angles to each other, with a fifth on top, like the faces of a town hall clock, so it is commonly called Townhall Clock. It  flowers in late March or early April, giving it the alternative name of Good Friday plant and is a widespead and quite common UK native species, though it is easily overlooked. It also occurs in the rest of Europe and in North America, where it is called Muskroot. On a warm day the flowers give off a faint musky scent.

The leaves are light green and three lobed and remind me a bit of Wood Anemone or Columbine, thought Moschatel is in a different family, the Adoxaceae. They die down by early summer, so there is no trace of the plant above the ground.

I first noticed this plant in the woods near Earlham Park in Norwich about 25 years ago but my favourite location is not far from Reedham Ferry, in a small wood to the south of the River Yare. It was just coming into flower when I looked for it a few days ago.