Twinleaf (Jeffersonia dyphilla)

Flower 1 in., plant 6-8 in., Barberry Family

This relative of May-apple makes its grand entrance in March or early April by sending up one big white flower on each tall, leafless stalk. The eight-petaled flowers tower several inches above their own leaves. These plants grow on rich wooded slopes in limestone areas. They were used by the Indians to treat everything from sore throats to diarrhea.

The seedpods of Twinleaf, which develop after the flowers, are unusual because they have a “lid” hinged at the back like a box! When the seeds are mature, the lid pops open.

The genus, Jeffersonia, was named for President Thomas Jefferson. The species, dyphilla, and the common name, Twinleaf, refer to its leaves, which are so divided that they appear to be double, shaped almost like the wings of butterflies.

Twinleaf can be confused with Bloodroot if you only look at their white flowers, but Bloodroot blossoms have bigger clusters of yellow anthers in the centers and the leaves of the two plants are quite different.