Draba verna

Spring draba (Draba verna, syn. Erophila verna (L.) Bess.) may also go by the names shadflower, nailwort, vernal whitlow 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.

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.