Aplectrum hyemale
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-PLEK-trum hy-EH-may-lee
- Description
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Putty root is a native found throughout the wooded slopes and ravines in the eastern U.S.A. and Canada in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is the only member of the genus Aplectrum. It spreads underground through the growth of its corms, which are often linked by rhizomes and can release a sticky substance when crushed. This sticky substance was once used to mend broken pottery hence the common name "putty root". The other common name "Adam and Eve" is also in reference to the corms as they are often found in linked pairs.
This plant likes partial shade or dappled sunlight in the sugar maple and beech forests and swamps where it grows. Its underground corms allow it to form large colonies in though it is more commonly found in small scattered patches.
A single leaf appears in late November and persists until March taking advantage of the sunlight available in the winter months under the leafless canopy of deciduous trees. The leaves are uniquely pleated and pin-striped, with parallel alternating silvery-white and green stripes. In late May or early June, the flower stalk emerges carrying several delicate flowers with no fragrance or nectar to attract pollinators though sweat bees are thought to be pollinators.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: none.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aplectrum
- Species:
- hyemale
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The sticky gelatinous substance extruded from the corms was used to mend broken pottery.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to E. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Found from Oklahoma to the Carolinas
- Wildlife Value:
- Sweatbees are though to pollinate these flowers.
- Edibility:
- non-edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 1 inch tan ridged capsule with a pointed tip. The capsules bend downward on the flower stalk.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- In late May or early June, the 1 to 2 foot erect flower stalk emerges with a loose raceme of 8 to 20 pale greenish-purple (sometimes yellow or white with purple tinge) 1 inch flowers. The sepals form a triangular pattern, and the petals form a wrinkled two lipped tubular flower. Flowers appear on 1- to 2-foot slender, leafless stalk. The lower lip is white with purple spots (a small lobe on each side and wavy in front).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has single, oval to elliptic, basal leaf with white veins that appear in fall and disappear after flowering. They are 4 to 6 in. long and 1 to 3 in. wide with entire margins, acuminate to acute tip, and they appear wrinkled. The leaves appear in late November and persist until March. They are uniquely pin-striped, with parallel alternating silvery-white and green stripes.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stem is absent, flower stalks resemble stems and are quite tall and green.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Specialized Bees