Flower:

Short-stalked flowers are widely spaced in a spike-like raceme up to 12 inches long at the tip of the stem. Individual flowers are about 1/8 inch across and have 5 white feathery or fringed petals that curve back. In the center is a ring of 10 yellow-tipped stamens. The calyx is cup-shaped, pale green to yellowish with 5 triangular lobes. The calyx and flower stalks are covered in short, glandular hairs.

Leaves and stem:

A single pair of opposite leaves is on the stem below the flower cluster, and is where the “two-leaf” common name originates. These leaves are up to 2½ inches long and 1½ inches wide, coarsely toothed and usually shallowly lobed in 3 parts. It may appear that the leaves are joined around the stem, but they are not.

There are also basal leaves that are more heart-shaped, up to 4 inches long and 3 inches wide, on long stalks, often with 5 shallow lobes. All leaves are finely hairy. Stems are multiple from the base and densely covered in short hairs.

Fruit:

The calyx persists and forms a bowl containing tiny, shiny black seeds.

Notes:

This delicate beauty is one of the woodland spring ephemerals that grace Minnesota starting in April. It makes a wonderful shade garden plant.