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Queencup Clintonia uniflora

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
klin-TOH-nee-uh yoo-nih-FLOR-uh
Description

Queen's Cup is a herbaceous perennial, flowering plant in the lily family native to the mountainous regions of western North America. It has one (sometimes two) showy six-petaled white flower atop a 10 inch high stalk rising from a clump of large blade-shaped green leaves. 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 means "one-flowered", a characteristic that distinguishes this species from others in the genus.

Queen's Cup does best grown in partial to full shade in organically rich, acidic, moist soils. It's native environment is the cool, mid-elevation, forests of the west. It does not do well in heat and will decline when temperatures rise above 75 degrees F. It can be propagated by root division in the spring or by seed though seeding plants can take up to four years before they flower.   

Queen's Cup is the smallest of the Clintonia species at 10 inches high. The plant produces an extensive system of underground stems causing it to spread and, with time, developing as a ground cover. It is also used as an ornamental in some gardens. Bees will suck nectar or collect pollen from Queen's Cup flowers; flies and beetles as well feed on pollen and nectar. Short-tongued bees and flies are usually non-pollinating.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

The plant can suffer damage from slugs.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#glossy leaves#blue fruits#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heavy shade tolerant#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#glossy leaves#blue fruits#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#heavy shade tolerant#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Clintonia
    Species:
    uniflora
    Family:
    Liliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Alaska, Canada, South to California
    Wildlife Value:
    Ruffled grouse are attracted to the fruits.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Each flower is followed by a single, amethyst-blue berry.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    One (rarely two) white, star-like flower blooms on a short leafless stalk rising from a basal cluster of 2 or 3 leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rosettes of 2 to 3 oblong, glossy-green leaves, up to 8 inches in height and 3 inches wide, bear short flowering stalks with one or two white flowers.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade