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Corn-lily 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

Blue Bead is a small, flowering, herbaceous perennial in the lily family usually found in large spreading colonies in moist, cool woods, spruce-fir forests, or open, mountain slopes. The plant is composed of 2 to 4 curved leaves, small flowers at the ends of long, 20 inch, stalks, and dark blue, bead like berries that give the plant its common name. The plants slowly spread by underground rhizomes or can be propagated by division or by seed. The genus is named in honor of the former governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828) The species name, borealis, meaning "of the north", alludes to the plant's preferred environment in Canada and the Northeastern United States.

Blue Bead does best in shaded sites with organically rich, moist, acidic soils preferred. It does not do well in heat and will decline when temperatures rise above 75 degrees F. However, in the right environment and the right amount of patience, the plant will make an excellent ground cover.

Bees will suck nectar or collect pollen from Blue Bead flowers; flies and beetles as well feed on pollen and nectar. Short-tongued bees and flies are usually non-pollinating.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

Slugs and snails.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#NC native#glossy leaves#blue fruits#bear friendly#groundcover#edible leaves#leathery leaves#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#NC native#glossy leaves#blue fruits#bear friendly#groundcover#edible leaves#leathery leaves#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildflower#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clintonia
    Species:
    borealis
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America, Newfoundland south to the Appalachians.
    Distribution:
    South to North Carolina and Georgia, west to the Great Lakes.
    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
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    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:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Terminal raceme of small 4 to 8 yellow to greenish-yellow, bell-like flowers that nod on a tall 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 four basal, shiny, bright green, oblong leaves and 3 to 5 strap-like leaves. The leaves are 4 to 10 inches 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