Sessile-leaf Bellwort Uvularia sessilifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Oakesiella sessilifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- oo-voo-LAR-ee-a ses-ee-lee-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
