Small Coastal False Asphodel Triantha racemosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tofieldia racemosa
- Description
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Coastal False Asphodel is a native herbaceous perennial found in the coastal region of the eastern and central U.S.A. In its native habitat, it can be found growing in pine barrens, savannas, savanna-pocosin ecotones, and seepage bogs. Its preferred soil contains calcium carbonate (lime).
When not it bloom, this plant has a grass-like appearance. There is a basal cluster of narrow leaves that can grow to about 12" tall. Its 15" tall flowering scape has a rough feel with the upper 3" containing a dense cluster of small flowers. The flowers appear in the form of a thyrse, that is they are arranged in groups of 2-3 flowers coming off the stem at the same location.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Triantha
- Species:
- racemosa
- Family:
- Tofieldiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern and central U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , SC , TN , TX , VA
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October. They appear in the form of a capsule, and each capsule contains 2 or more seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- In North Carolina, the white flowers are available from June to August. They appear at the top of the stem in a crowded raceme in clusters of 2 to 7 flowers. Flowers have 6 white tepals and 6 stamens. They will turn orange when dried.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves form a basal rosette. They have a sticky feel.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The sticky, rough stem is leafless, or it may have 1 to 3 leaves towards the base of the plant. The stem may have some hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
