Puttyroot Aplectrum hyemale
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-PLEK-trum hy-EH-may-lee
- Description
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Puttyroot spreads underground through the growth of its tubers, forming large colonies. The plant likes partial shade or dappled sunlight. The leaves appear in late November and persist until March. They are uniquely pin-striped, with parallel alternating silvery-white and green stripes. In late May or early June, the flower stalk emerges carrying several flowers, each only a few millimeters across.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aplectrum
- Species:
- hyemale
- Family:
- Orchidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to E. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Found from Oklahoma to the Carolinas
- 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
- Perennial
- 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
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- This plant has a loose cluster of 8 to 20 greenish-purple (sometimes yellow or white with purple tinge) flowers with two lips 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). In late May or early June, the flower stalk emerges carrying several flowers, each only a few millimeters across.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has single, oval, basal leaves with white veins that appear in fall and disappear after flowering. They are 4 to 6 in. long. 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 Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
