Red Turtlehead Chelone obliqua var. obliqua
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kay-LOH-nee oh-BLEEK-wuh oh-BLEEK-wuh
- Description
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Turtlehead is a clumping native perennial in the plantain family found in moist forested areas in the southeastern U.S.A and is considered rare in NC but can be found in the coastal and mountain areas. The pinkish-purple flowers occur on terminal spikes, are snapdragon-like in appearance and are said to resemble the head of a turtle. They bloom from July to Oct.
Use this plant in a consistently moist woodland site, along streams, ponds or bogs in full sun to dappled sun. It prefers rich humusy soils with composted leaf mulch in dappled sun. Turtlehead attracts bees and hummingbirds. It is available commercially but be sure you are getting the species as it is often sold as a hybrid.
- 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:
- obliqua
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 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
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is dry and splits open when ripe. Matures from September to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 inch pinkish-purple flowers are tubular, arching, and produced in dense terminal spikes. The most distinctive feature of this species is the flower, which has finely hairy sepals, a two-lipped pinkish-purple corolla, and contains a white staminodium (a sterile stamen). Blooms July to Oct.
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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:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, short-stalked, narrowly lance-shaped that are 7-9 inches long and sharply saw-toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
