The True Harbinger-of-Spring

Harbinger-of-Spring

Emma J. Cole in the Grand Rapids Flora said of Erigenia bulbosa, “Our earliest spring flower, it appears even before the snow has left the shady nooks.” Harbinger-of-Spring is truly our earliest spring ephemeral as it will bloom in March of years with a mild end to winter; otherwise it blooms in April lasting sometimes into May. Found in open deciduous woods, this hardy little flower is a real treat for those finding it early in the spring when other early flowers aren’t quite blooming yet. The Spring Beauties, Hepaticas and False Rue Anemone are close behind even though the weather seems more cool than warm and we could still see snow at this time of year.

Harbinger-of-Spring Plant

Harbinger-of-Spring is in the Apiaceae or Parsley family and is the easiest to identify from this group. One reason it is so easily identified, is the early bloom time, as no others in the family are blooming in early spring. With nearly 3000 species worldwide and nearly 400 species in North America, it is the only species in the genus Erigenia. Small white flowers with Blackish-red anthers clustered in leafy-bracted umbels lead to the name “Salt and Pepper”. The perennial plant rises from a small, deep-seated tuber and is small and inconspicuous at bloom time but becomes “larger”, leafier and more spreading.

Harbinger-of-Spring Leaves

The compound leaves are 1 to 2 or 3 times divided with leaf segments linear to oblong. The leaflets often are not fully developed. Leaves are few and inconspicuous when blooming begins, but become more plentiful and visible.

This one of the many treats for those willing to get out early and look in our woodlands for early spring ephemerals.