Speckled Wood-lily Clintonia umbellulata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- klin-TOH-nee-ah um-bel-lew-LAH-tuh
- Description
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White Clintonia is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the lily family, native to the eastern United States from New York south to Georgia. It is a shade-loving plant with a clump of broad, glossy leaves at the base that surround a 6 to 20 inch leafless stem. The stem supports a cluster of white flowers speckled with green and purple that bloom from late spring into early summer. Black, spherical berries follow the flowers. in nature, this plant is often found in rich, moist wooded areas (often near oaks), and dry ridges and slopes. The genus is named in honor of the former governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828). The species name means "umbelled", referring to the shape of the flowers.
White Clintonia does best in a shaded, or semi-shaded, site in rich, moist, acidic soil. The plant will spread by means of underground, short, thick rhizomes, or you can propagate the plant by dividing the clumps or underground runners in fall or early spring.
White Clintonia and its fellow species, C. borealis, sometimes grow in the same area, but White Clintonia is usually found at lower elevations, is easier to grow and maintain, and tends to be more drought tolerant. The long-lasting leaves of White Clintonia remain green all summer, making it an excellent groundcover for shady spots
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. Slugs and snails may be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clintonia
- Species:
- umbellulata
- Family:
- Liliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Eastern North America; New York south to Georgia and Tennessee.
- Wildlife Value:
- White Clintonia attracts pollinators. Songbirds and chipmunks eat the berries.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This plant has an umbel of dark blue to black berries, about a quarter inch in diameter. Fruit is available August-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- 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:
- This plant has umbels of 5 to 30 small, white flowers (sometimes edged in pink) on 8 to 18 inch, almost-leafless, stems. They are often speckled with purple. Flowers bloom from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has 2 to 5 basal, elliptical leaves, each 7 to 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. They have hairs along the margins and midrib.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
