Yellow Bellwort Uvularia perfoliata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oo-voo-LAR-ee-a per-foh-lee-AY-tuh
- Description
-
Perfoliate Bellwort is a native perennial wildflower found in moist to somewhat dry hardwood forests along the eastern coast of North America. This variety is becoming increasingly rare in some of its native territory. It grows best in soil that are rich in humus. In North Carolina, it is common in the Mountains and Piedmont, but rare on the coast. Its common name Perfoliate Bellwort arises from the way the stem appears to pierce through the leaf blade. There are typically 1 to 4 leaves below the fork in the stem. There is one leaf per node along the stem.
An early bloomer and early to go into dormancy, it can be readily identified in a still brown leaf cover of the winter forest. Later on the growing season it will become dormant.
A solitary flower with 6 tepals will sprout on each stem. The tepals are up to 1.25" long and have a granular texture on the inside.
If the conditions are favorable, it will spread through fleshy, white underground stolons to form a colony.
The leaves and roots are edible. The young shoots can be cooked and are a good substitute for asparagus. The roots can be eaten after being cooked.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Can be endangered by competition with invasive species of plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Uvularia
- Species:
- perfoliata
- Family:
- Colchicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada and U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Native bees seek out the nectar.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edibility:
- The leaves and roots are edible.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
-
-
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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit displays from June to August. Each three sided capsule will split along 2 or more seams, releasing 2 or more seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flowers bloom from April into early summer. The interior surface of the flower has a roughened texture and contains small glands.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- There is one leaf per node along the stem. The veined leaves are oblong with the widest area just below the middle and tapering at each end. They are glabrous on the upper leaf and glaucous on the underside.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The stems can be singular or branched. They are slender and smooth to the touch.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
