Chelone glabra
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kay-LOH-nee GLAY-bruh
- Description
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White turtlehead is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) native to Canada and eastern and central USA in moist areas along stream banks, open woodlands, fens, flood plains and marshes. The Genus name means "tortoise" in Greek and was the name of a nymph who refused to attend the wedding of Zeus and was turned into a turtle as punishment. The specific epithet means without hairs. The common name comes from the shape of the flower resembling a turtle head.
This plant grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade. In sunny locations provide mulch to retain moisture. Plant in fertile moist soils and part sun is best. Too much shade will cause flopping of the plant and require staking. Pinching stem tips in spring will produce a bushier plant. Propagate with seed or division.
The blooms appear on 6-8 inch stems in dense clusters and open from bottom to top in late summer to fall. Leaves are green and opposite with serrated margins.
Use white turtlehead in borders or groups along ponds or streams. Works well in native pollinator gardens and rain gardens. Fall flowers attract many pollinators.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Mildew can occur if soils dry out.
- 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:
- Chelone
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. Canada, N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Also supports Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) which has one brood from May-June in the south and June-August in the north. It also supports Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) which has two to three broods from May-October except in the deep south where it can be seen all year. Common Buckeye rarely uses this host plant in North Carolina.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 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
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 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:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Oval seed capsule containing several seeds that are flattened and broadly winged. Fruit displays from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- A tight cluster of white 1-1.5 in., two-lipped flowers appears at tops of stems from July to October. The upper lip arches over lower lip similar to a snapdragon or turtlehead. Petals can be pink-tinged.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-6 in., narrow, sharply toothed, paired leaves are turned 90 degrees from the pair below them. They are stalkless or nearly so.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Green stems can be round or square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
