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Macbridea caroliniana

Previously known as:

  • Macbridea pulchra
Phonetic Spelling
mak-BRIDE-ee-a kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh
Description

Carolina Birds-in-a-nest is a relatively rare, flowering perennial wildflower in the mint family and native to the south eastern United States. The plant will grow to about 3 feet high topped by attractive purple flowers. In its natural habitat such as the sand hills and coastal plain of North Carolina, it can be found in ditches, the edges of savanna, and swamp forests, especially in sphagnous seepage areas away from direct flooding.

Carolina Birds-in-a-nest do best in full or partial sun with moist to wet soil.

Carolina Birds-in-a-nest is listed as imperiled in North Carolina because of its rarity and is considered endangered. Endangered species may not be removed from the wild except when a permit is obtained for research, propagation, or rescue.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#endangered#NC native#food source summer#rare#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#endangered#NC native#food source summer#rare#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Macbridea
    Species:
    caroliniana
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    North and South Carolina, Alabama, Florida.
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts bumblebees and skipper butterflies.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from August to December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Description:
    Lavender-pink flowers bloom from July to September.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, simple, leaves are veined, not needle-like or scale-like.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil