Harbinger-of-Spring

Erigenia bulbosa is in the Apiaceae (Carrot) family. 'Erigenia' means "early born", referencing this plants early spring flowering. The Latin word 'bulbous' is the base for Bulbosa and refers to the underground tubers.

There are two common names frequently used to describe this wildflower. Both are fitting, 'Harbinger-of-Spring' and 'Pepper and Salt'. 'Harbinger-of-spring' is a straightforward moniker based on the arrival of these flowers at the beginning of spring. 'Pepper and Salt' refers to the effect of the black anthers (when mature) against the white flowers.

Harbinger-of-Spring may be found blooming as early as February, although I usually spot it in in early March. Its tiny, vibrant white flowers appear before its leaves, forming numerous clusters atop the small plant. Vibrant blood red anthers are lovely, held above the flowers. The anthers transition quickly from red to black, which accounts for the common name of Pepper and Salt.

Harbinger-of-spring arises from an underground tuber. The flowers and leaves are protected in a sheath while developing underground. As they emerge, the sheath is often visible.

The glabrous leaves are mostly seen at the base of the plant, although a leafy bract is found underneath the flower umbel. Leaves are typically divided into 3 leaflets.

Stems can be green, reddish, or brown and grow up to 5 or 6 inches tall. They are longitudinally ridged and hairless (glabrous). While stems can be erect, they are often sprawling.

After flowering, boxy green fruits quickly appear and are often seen simultaneously with the flowers. These fruits are schizocarps, meaning they split once mature. In the case of Erigenia bulbosa, they split into two mericarps, each containing a single seed. Once ripe, the fruits turn yellow to brown. The stems continue to grow, becoming lanky, which helps ensure that the ripe seeds fall further from the mother plant, thus dispersing the seeds.

Harbinger-of-Spring attracts numerous small insects, especially bees and various flies. Small Carpenter bees, Mason bees, Andrenid bees and Halictid bees are known visitors. Flies also frequent the flowers. According to Dr. John Hilty, author of the website Illinois Wildflowers, fly visitors include Calliphorid flies, Anthomyiid flies, Frit flies, Lance flies, and flower flies (Syrphidae). So far I have only documented flies visiting the plants. Hopefully, I will have more luck this year!

The Pontia protodice butterfly nectars on the plants as well the Anagrapha falcifera moth. I've read that beetles may also visit the flowers.

Erigenia bulbosa is often found in woodlands with calcareous soils around limestone. It also thrives in areas of rich, mesic woodlands along creeks, rivers and bottomlands.

In Arkansas it has a Conservation value of 8 in the group of 8-10 meaning "Conservative taxa with strong fidelity to intact habitats. These taxa tend to exhibit late-successional characteristics like long lifespans with low seed sets and an inability for far ranging dispersal.

Harbinger-of-Spring is native to the eastern United States, west to Kansas and Oklahoma and north to Michigan. Natureserve shows it as:

Critically Imperiled (S1)- Kansas, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Wisconsin.

Imperiled S2?- Georgia

Vulnerable S3- Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginica

Apparently Secure/Secure S4/S5- Indiana

No Status Rank SNR- Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee

Both the leaves and starchy tubers of Erigenia bulbosa are edible. The leaves are said to taste similar to parsley with the tubers having a nutty flavor, if harvested early. You can read more about this on the interesting site, Nomad Seed Project. The author advocates for spreading seed of native plants that have"exceptional value to humans and their ecology as food, medicine, shelter, materials, and beauty." He also cautions about doing so responsibly so as not to deplete populations. While very interesting, I think I will simply enjoy seeing and photographing the flowers of Harbinger-of-Spring.