Harbinger of Spring (Erigenia bulbosa)

Another one of spring's earliest native wildflowers here in Kentucky is the harbinger of spring (Erigenia bulbosa). This spring ephemeral is one of, if not always, the first to emerge from the ground and add a splash of color to an otherwise drab winter landscape. As the name suggests, the emergence of this plant is surely a sign that spring has officially begun. A member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), this diminutive species ranges from an inch to ten inches in height. This species can be found growing in rich, wooded forests in association with other spring ephemeral wildflowers such as toothworts (Cardamine sp.), sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica nobilis var. acutiloba), spring beauties (Claytonia virginica), dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata), etc.

With the recent warm stretch of weather we've been having, I went for a hike the other day to check on the progress of the spring ephemerals at a local nature preserve, Anglin Falls State Nature Preserve (also referred to as John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest SNP). This relatively unknown and hidden gem is one of my favorite haunts in all of south-central Kentucky and a place I frequent often. Anglin Falls is a moist, rich wooded ravine and has one of the best spring wildflower displays that can be found in the region. I found many harbingers of spring in flower and this provided a great opportunity to test out my new macro lens. This plant is tiny, and all of the specimens I found were only about an inch tall and had just freshly emerged from the ground. The collection of flowers, referred to as an umbel, were smaller than a fingernail. This wildflower is also called pepper-and-salt by some people due to the red anthers which turn black and the flower petals which are white. As with most spring ephemerals they are pollinated by various species of bees and flies.

Harbinger of spring (Erigenia bulbosa)

Harbinger of spring (Erigenia bulbosa). A close-up showing the red-ish anthers.

Near the entrance of the trail to Anglin Falls a vivid burst of purple stopped me dead in my tracks. I was shocked to see another native spring wildflower already in bloom, a dwarf iris (Iris verna). This species typically shouldn't be flowering for another couple weeks but this eager individual just seemingly couldn't wait any longer. However, this was the only one I found in flower on my hike. This species inhabits drier areas and prefers to grow on more open and sunny areas along ridge tops. This area where this individual was flowering was rocky and in full sun, perhaps the soil temperature in this area was just enough to trigger this individual to flower. Anyways, I took advantage of the opportunity to get some photos of it on this occasion but I'm certain to run across many more dwarf iris over the coming weeks as I visit some of my other favorite wildflower hotspots in eastern Kentucky.

Dwarf iris (Iris verna)

Dwarf iris (Iris verna)