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Clintonia borealis

Previously known as:

  • Dracaena borealis
Phonetic Spelling
klin-TOH-nee-ah bore-ee-AL-is
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

It likes moist, cool woods and prefers floor of spruce-fir forests or open, mountain slopes. It can be found in high forests or natural areas.  Shade and organically rich, deep cool soils are preferred. Its performance will decline as temperatures rise above 75 degrees F.  You can divide the plants underground runners or propagate by seed.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Slugs and snails.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#wildlife plant#food source wildlife#NC native#glossy leaves#blue fruits#bears#edible leaves#wildflower garden#leathery leaves#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#woodland garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#wildlife plant#food source wildlife#NC native#glossy leaves#blue fruits#bears#edible leaves#wildflower garden#leathery leaves#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#woodland garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clintonia
    Species:
    borealis
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, USA, NC
    Wildlife Value:
    Songbirds and chipmunks eat the berries.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Young leaves are chopped and added to salads, or boiled for 10 minutes and served with butter and seasonings. Sour flavor.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a bright, light to dark blue berry that is poisonous.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Description:
    This plant has small umbels of 4-8 yellow to greenish-yellow, bell-like flowers that nod on a leafless stalk. It is 6-parted, has three petals and three sepals, and flowers in a terminal cluster.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Two to five basal, shiny, bright green, oblong leaves and 3-5 strap-like leaves. The leaves are 4-10 in. long, edible, somewhat leathery, and have hairy-fringed margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    This plant CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. No cases are known. Poisonous through ingestion. Poisonous parts are suspected to be the berries.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown; suspected since related to toxic plants
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits