Plant DetailShow Menu

Small Coastal False Asphodel Triantha racemosa

Previously known as:

  • Tofieldia racemosa
Description

Coastal False Asphodel is a native herbaceous perennial found in the coastal region of the eastern and central U.S.A. In its native habitat, it can be found growing in pine barrens, savannas, savanna-pocosin ecotones, and seepage bogs. Its preferred soil contains calcium carbonate (lime).

When not it bloom, this plant has a grass-like appearance.  There is a basal cluster of narrow leaves that can grow to about 12" tall.  Its 15" tall flowering scape has a rough feel with the upper 3" containing a dense cluster of small flowers.  The flowers appear in the form of a thyrse, that is they are arranged in groups of 2-3 flowers coming off the stem at the same location.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#white flowers#native perennial#fall interest#herbaceous#NC native#perennial flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#fruits fall#summer interest#flowers midsummer#peat#forb#flowers early summer#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#Audubon#coastal plant#perennial#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#white flowers#native perennial#fall interest#herbaceous#NC native#perennial flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#fruits fall#summer interest#flowers midsummer#peat#forb#flowers early summer#Coastal OBL#Piedmont Mountains OBL#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#Audubon#coastal plant#perennial#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Triantha
    Species:
    racemosa
    Family:
    Tofieldiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern and central U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , SC , TN , TX , VA
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October. They appear in the form of a capsule, and each capsule contains 2 or more seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    In North Carolina, the white flowers are available from June to August. They appear at the top of the stem in a crowded raceme in clusters of 2 to 7 flowers. Flowers have 6 white tepals and 6 stamens. They will turn orange when dried.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves form a basal rosette. They have a sticky feel.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The sticky, rough stem is leafless, or it may have 1 to 3 leaves towards the base of the plant. The stem may have some hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat