Spring Whitlow Grass (Draba verna)

Do you know about Spring Whitlow Grass (Draba Verna)? Spring Whitlow Grass is a member of the mustard family. The word verna comes from the Latin word vernus, meaning spring. It is thought that these flowers originated in Europe and naturalized to the Americas by European settlers. You will need very sharp eyes to spot this plant’s tiny flowers – see the pine needle for scale. Each of its four petals are deeply divided, giving the appearance of eight petals. They can often be found in the disturbed margins of trails. Spring Whitlow grass was the first plant to be observed to determine the importance of self-pollination to mutation and the creation of local strands.


Spring Whitlow Grass