Species Factsheets
Erigenia bulbosa
Harbinger-of-spring
State Status: Pennsylvania Threatened (PT)
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Rare (PR)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S4
Did You Know?
This species has been used to bring toothache releif.
Description
Harbinger-of-spring (Erigenia bulbosa) is a small (5-15cm tall) herb in the carrot family.
Rank Justification
Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors.
Habitat
Rich, mixed hardwood forests in lowlands, costal plains, and mountain valleys
Survey Dates
Flowers March - April
Distribution
Threats
Harbinger-of-spring's lowland forest habitats have been fragmented by logging and invaded by exotic species. Although the species' worldwide population is considered secure, it is quite rare in Pennsylvania and other states at the edge of its range.
Management
Loss of bottomland forest to agriculture and unsustainable forestry has severely impacted many of the forests where this plant may have existed. Conserving high-quality bottomland forests where this plant normally grows is key to the protection of this species.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://practicalplants.org/wiki/Erigenia_bulbosa
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
