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Uvularia sessilifolia is often confused with:
Uvularia puberula Uvularia puberula
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Viola pubescens Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Viola striata Viola striata

Sessile Bellwort Uvularia sessilifolia

Previously known as:

  • Oakesiella sessilifolia
Phonetic Spelling
oo-voo-LAR-ee-a ses-ee-lee-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Wild Oats is a native wildflower with interesting foliage and flowers. It can be used as a ground cover in shade or part shade areas as the roots spread by stolons. It can be found inhabiting deciduous and mixed evergreen deciduous forests,  It prefers moist, rich, acidic soils with high humus content and good drainage but can be adaptable to other soil types. The flowers are yellow or cream and hang in an elongated bell shape.

Cover with a layer of leaves in winter and do not remove them in the spring to increase humus to the soil. It is difficult to transplant due to its long underground stem.

Propagation can be done by root cuttings or planting from seed.  When growing from seed, plant immediately upon ripening, don't allow the seeds to dry out.  If the goal is to create a ground cover, allow the existing plants to seed out each year, seeding itself.  Over time, the area will fill in.

Young leaves can be eaten as cooked greens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems though young plants can be damaged by slugs.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#shade garden#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#groundcover#pollinator plant#edible leaves#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#colonizing#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#nectar plant#shade garden#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#groundcover#pollinator plant#edible leaves#NC Native Pollinator Plant#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#colonizing#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Uvularia
    Species:
    sessilifolia
    Family:
    Colchicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON
    Wildlife Value:
    Supports specialized bee: Andrena (Derandrena) uvulariae.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Defines Paths
    Edibility:
    Young shoots are said to have a flavor reminiscent of asparagus. Tea made from the roots has been used to treat diarrhea and other ailments.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    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 Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a ¾ to 1¼ inch long capsule, generally oval to round with an abrupt point at the tip and tapering at the base to a short stalk. There are 3 distinct winged edges around the capsule.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1 in. pale yellow or cream flowers hang bell-like on short stems singly or rarely in pairs. The outer surface typically will have fine veining.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    In early spring the stalkless, oval leaves may look grass-like, up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, tapering to a point at both ends. The edges are smooth and often rolled up but flatten and spread out with maturity. The undersides are pale to whitish and has fine hairs. Distinct parallel veins are visible on the leaf underside. The leaves are not pierced by the stem, but clasp the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    The main stem forks into 2 branches towards the top of the plant. Each branch will have a few leaves. The main stem is sheathed along the lower 1/3 and will often zigzag between the leaves. When young, the stem will be green. By flowering time, it can turn a reddish-purple along the upper portion.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees