Wisconsin's earliest native flowering plant

Abstract

With the coming of spring there is an enthusiastic revival of interest in people for the out-of-doors and, not infrequently, a more than casual interest in the pursuit of the first flowering plant. For the stay-at-home there is contentment in simply waiting for the first Crocus, Scilla, Narcissus, Forsythia or even the Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) to bloom, but the dedicated naturalist is not satisfied until he finds the native harbinger-of-spring. During this adventure the often asked question is "What is the earliest native flowering species?"