Two True Harbingers of Spring

As the weather finally shows promise of warming this spring, there are early spring ephemerals beginning to appear in West Michigan woods.

Snow Trillium

First a threatened species of Trillium, Trillium nivale or Snow Trillium blooms in early April each year. This very small Trillium was thought to be extirpated or extinct from Michigan for 35 years until the late Fred Case rediscovered it along a river bank. In the early 1900’s this plant was well know in the Grand Rapids area at locations along the Grand River, but today is nonexistent in these locations. Nivale means “of the snows”, which is appropriate for this small flower as it will bloom in the snow and subfreezing temperatures without much damage to the plant.  Snow Trillium looks like a miniature version of the Great White Trillium we are so familiar with in this region. As you can see from the photo below, a dime next to the plant shows that it is only a fraction of the size of the larger Trillium; making easy to overlook while in the woods. The leaves also have a more fleshly appearance to them and narrower petals. I stopped and checked on them this past Saturday and they are blooming nicely. As I only get to the one location I know of about once every 4 or 5 years it is good to see the population increasing and clumps becoming larger.

Snow Trillium

Another early flower that blooms in Southern Michigan from March or April to May in some years is the Harbinger-of-Spring or Erigenia bulbosa. It is found in rich, moist deciduous woods on hillsides and flat ground. This member of the parsley family is another small and inconspicuous species which can be easily over looked amongst the leaves. The leaves of Harbinger do resemble those of parsley as they mature. The white petals contrast with the dark anthers leading to another common name of “Pepper-and-Salt”. This flower can be found in the Hudsonville Nature Center and at Hagar Hardwoods Park in Jenison.

Harbinger-of-Spring

It is time to get out and begin enjoying the early and spring flowers here in Michigan. Over the next few weeks the number of species and abundance of blooms will continue to increase, peaking around Mother’s Day.