Have you ever had the opportunity to see frost flowers, also sometimes called ice ribbons, rabbit frost or rabbit ice? I’ve been spotting them around my farm now for several years. I think a new kind of weed spread into our area that is perfect for the formation of these delicate “petals” of ice. Early fall or winter is the best time to spot these beauties and you have to get out before the sun warms up and makes them all disappear. They can hang around in shaded areas for several hours if the day is cool.
According to the information on Wikipedia, the formation of frost flowers is dependent on a freezing weather condition occurring when the ground is not already frozen. The sap in the stem of the plants will expand (water expands when frozen), causing long, thin cracks to form along the length of the stem. Water is then drawn through these cracks via capillary action and freezes upon contact with the air. As more water is drawn through the cracks it pushes the thin ice layers further from the stem, causing a thin “petal” to form.
The plant that now grows around here and gifts me with these works of natural art is white crownbeard (Verbesina virginica), commonly called frostweed. I’ve noticed those tall weeds blooming in late summer and fall. Its flowers are rather plain, but the frost flowers that form around its stems are lovely. I think it’s according to the amount of moisture in the ground and the splits in the stems that result in the different formations.
I’ve taken all the pictures of the frost flowers here, but if you want to see more 
and some that are formed on wood that I’ve never seen happen around here, check out this link.
I enjoy finding these lovely examples of the wonders of nature. The ice looks a little like spun sugar and it’s very delicate. A touch can break or melt it, but a camera is the perfect way to capture its beauty.
Have you ever seen frost flowers?
Comments 11
I have never seen or heard of these beautiful formations . I will watch for them as my dogs and I walk through our Ohio woods at first light. How I enjoy this time of day as the gift of a new day is presented !
Author
I like the early morning too, Nancy. Not always out by first light, but often before the sun comes up. A new day of life is always a blessing.
To my knowledge, I have not, even though I lived in Indiana, New York and Kansas where it got quite cold in the winter. Now living on the MS Gulf Coast it never gets quite that cold. Very interesting! If that first picture had been a mystery picture I would have guessed one if those small white fluffy dogs lying on its back! Can you see it?
Author
I considered using these as mystery pictures once, but I thought it wouldn’t be fair since so many of you hadn’t seen them. I don’t think it just has to be cold. It has to be cold in the right way. Moisture, ground not frozen and the air cold enough to freeze. Then the right kind of plants. That was the difference here. Those kind of plants started growing here.
Author
They are very unique, Connie and Loretta. We have a lot of those weeds in clusters and the moisture and temperature must have been just right to make lots of the icy formations this year.
I’ve never seen these before, they’re really pretty!
I have never seen such! Not even heard of them. But they are beautiful!
Wish they formed around my area. Amazing.
I have never seen these! I guess I live too far south in my area of Texas. I enjoyed hearing about them and seeing some pictures!
Author
I would guess you are too warm for them to form, Grammabd. But they are lovely, aren’t they? Each one seems to be a bit different, sort of like snowflakes perhaps. Glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures.
Those are so pretty!
Author
They are, aren’t they, Paula? I always enjoy being out early on the mornings when those are “blooming.”