Fairy-wand Chamaelirium luteum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-e-lir-i-um LOO-tee-um
- Description
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Fairy-Wand is an herbaceous perennial wildflower of eastern North America in the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It has separate male and female plants with the male flowers being larger and the spike often curved downward from the tip.
It is found in rich woods, wet savannas, and moist meadows, slopes, and thickets. Preference is for organically rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. Plants have become rare in many parts of its habitat and should not be collected from the wild.
Propagation is by seed or division of the rhizomes. Plats are dioecious and therefore a male and a female plant are needed to produce a seed.
Use in woodland gardens, naturalized areas and native gardens
- 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:
- Chamaelirium
- Species:
- luteum
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Rhizomes and roots are used to treat female issues
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Ontario to Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3-valved, ellipsoid capsules. Fruit is available September-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white flowers are tightly clustered on a 4-8 inch long spike or raceme at the end of an 8-18 in. stem. Male and female flowers on separate plants with male raceme being larger with tips curving downward. Flowers bloom March-May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-8 in. basal leaves are smooth, narrow, spoon-shaped and form a rosette. Stem leaves are smaller.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
