From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Draba verna
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Draba
Species:	D. verna
Binomial name
Draba verna L.

Spring draba (Draba verna, syn. Erophila verna (L.) Bess.) may also go by the names shadflower, nailwort, vernal whitlow grass, early witlow grass or whitlow-grass. It is a tiny, tiny plant of sagebrush country, in the inland western U.S., most of Europe, including Britain, North Africa and temperate Asia. It was once thought to have been introduced to America from Europe, but is now considered native to both continents. It grows in very early spring. The flowers have four deeply notched white petals, and are borne an inch or two above the ground by a long stem. The leaves are clustered at the base.

Medicinal uses

The alternative common names listed above hint at a medicinal use for this tiny and common herb; it may be used externally upon minor skin lacerations and fingernail inflammations. It is also said to be edible by Plants For A Future.

References

• Blanchan, Neltje (2002). Wild Flowers: An Aid to Knowledge of our Wild Flowers and their Insect Visitors. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  
• Plants For A Future: Erophila verna

From Wikispecies

Taxonavigation

Classification System: APG II (down to family level)

Main Page
Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiospermae
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids II
Ordo: Brassicales
Familia: Brassicaceae
Genus: Draba
Species Draba verna

Name

Draba verna L.

References

• Species Plantarum 1:642. 1753
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. [1]