This occurs mostly in east-central states from Iowa and Okl. to N.Y. and N.J. It flowers a month or so earlier than canadense, and is more concentrated on base-rich soils, but often in relatively open disturbed habitats. Basal overwintering rosette leaves are often mottled, mostly deep blusih green but with pale strips above major veins. Distinction of these rosettes from those of canadense can be difficult (F, Y). G. vernum usually has basal ternate leaves with segments sessile (versus stalked), broader-shaped (L/W ca. 0.8-1 versus 1.2-1.6) and more acute-lobed; also it tends to have more elongated pinnate cauline leaves (with up to 9 leaflets versus often more broad-based deltoid leaves with up to 5 leaflets), the leaflets averaging smaller (mostly 0.5-6.5 cm long versus 2.5-15 cm).