Field Botanist Term of the Day: Green-Up

This term may not be just within the field of botany but in this case it is something that I was very much looking forward to this year. Green up is a second push of green vegetation, usually the cool season plants. This does happen more frequently in locations that are considered semi-arid or arid. The drier summer months will lead to crispy, brown vegetation. Late summer or early fall will bring a little more precipitation that gives a boost to the cooler, springtime vegetation so they have a second growth that will help feed the grazers and browsers through the winter. Right now I am seeing the green up and, due to it being a drought year, I am seeing some plants green for the first time this field season. There have already been a few "what is this thing" from me over the past week.