"How to Know the Wildflowers" (1922) by Mrs. William Starr Dana uses the Latin name Saxifraga virginiensis which is listed as a synonym now. She gives it the common name of Early Saxifrage. The author notes that the plant's white blossoms can be seen in rocky cliffs and hillsides in April. As for the name, the author explains that the generic and common names come from "saxum", meaning a rock, and "frangere", meaning to break. The Germans call it Steinbrech, or stonebreak. This is because of the plant's habit of growing from "the minute clefts in the rocks and which has been supposed to cause their disintegration by their growth."

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