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Carolina Bellwort Uvularia puberula

Previously known as:

  • Oakesiella puberula
  • Uvularia carolina
  • Uvularia nitida
  • Uvularia puberula var. nitida
  • Uvularia pudica var. nitida
Phonetic Spelling
oo-voo-LAR-ee-a pub-ER-uh-luh
Description

Carolina Bellwort is a North Carolina native wildflower in the Lily family that is found in dry to moist upland forests. Unlike the majority of other bellworts, this variety prefers dry sites. It is commonly found in the mountains and the coastal plains of North Carolina on bluffs, dry wooded slopes, barrens and other acidic dry locations.  

In North Carolina it is sometimes categorized as being two varieties. var. puberula is typically found growing in the wild in the mountains and piedmont areas of North Carolina.  This variety has broader leaves that are rounded and slightly clasping at the base.  The leaf underside is reticulate, having prominent veins that are parallel to each other.  The texture if firm. Its stem has fine hairs on the ridges.  var. nitida, can be found growing in the sandhills and coastal plains.  Differing from var. puberula, the leaves are narrow and wedge shaped.  The texture is thin.  The leaf underside has similar veins, but they are not as prominent.  Its stem is smooth.

It is sometimes confused with Uvulaira sessilifolia, but a distinct characteristic in their form sets them apart.  Where the undivided section of the Uvulaira puberula's style (the long, slender stalk connecting the stigma and the ovary) are half as long as the style branches, the Uvularia sessilifolia's undivided part of its style is 3 to 5 times as long as the style branches.           

Its glossy leaves allow it to blend into the forest floor in the summer months.  It can be found easier in the spring when the plant yellow flowers appear.  

Its seed capsule is triangular.  These green capsules will turn brown as the seeds mature. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Audubon#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#herbaceous perennial#native wildflower#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Audubon#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Uvularia
    Species:
    puberula
    Family:
    Colchicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from August to October
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1" Yellow flowers bloom from March to May. They are solitary, nodding flowers, each has 6 petals. Each stem will produce 1 to 3 flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The bright green leaves are stemless and veined. The leaves do not encircle the stem. There may be some hairs present on the underside of the leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is slightly hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees