In early spring, many wildflowers begin to grow, produce flowers, and release seeds. The leaves of the wildflowers make food before the leaves of the trees in the area begin to develop. The early growth pattern of the wildflowers would likely result in decreased competition for sunlight between the trees and the wildflowers (1). There is a good reason why the wildflowers grow so much earlier than the trees. If they start growing at the same time in spring, then the tree leaves will block out the sun for the wildflowers.
