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Aplectrum hyemale is often confused with:
Tipularia discolor Form in bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium catesbaei T. catesbaei
Drosera leaf
Trillium erectum Flowers

Puttyroot Aplectrum hyemale

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
a-PLEK-trum hy-EH-may-lee
Description

Aplectrum hyemale spreads underground through the growth of its tubers, forming large colonies. 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:
Tags:
#fall color#showy leaves#tuberous#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#small flowers#wildflower garden
 
Aplectrum hyemale
Aplectrum hyemale Fritz-Flohr-Reynolds CC BY-ND 2.0
Aplectrum hyemale
Aplectrum hyemale Kristen CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Aplectrum hyemale
Aplectrum hyemale NC Orchid CC BY-NC 2.0
Aplectrum hyemale
Aplectrum hyemale dbarronoss CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Aplectrum hyemale
Flower Halpaugh from Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall color#showy leaves#tuberous#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#small flowers#wildflower garden
  • 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 Carolina's
    Edibility:
    non-edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • 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
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    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; lower lip is white with purple spots, small lobe on each side and wavy in front.
  • 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:
    Single, oval, basal leaf with white veins appears in fall and disappears after flowering; 4 to 6 in. long
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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