Carolina Birds-in-a-nest Macbridea caroliniana
Other Common Name(s):
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
