epigaea

After the epigaea and the hepatica have opened, there is a slight pause among the wild-flowers, -- these two forming a distinct prologue for their annual drama, as the brilliant witch-hazel in October brings up its separate epilogue.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 42, April, 1861 Various

Of these two, the latter is perhaps more immediately exciting on first discovery; because it does not, like the epigaea, exhibit its buds all winter, but opens its blue eyes almost as soon as it emerges from the ground.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 42, April, 1861 Various

So great is the charm of the pursuit, that the epigaea is really the one wild-flower for which our country-people have a hearty passion.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 42, April, 1861 Various

Even so good an observer as Wilson Flagg is betrayed into saying that the epigaea and hepatica "seldom make their appearance until after the middle of April" in Massachusetts, and that "it is not unusual for the whole month of April to pass away without producing more than two or three species of wild-flowers."

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 42, April, 1861 Various