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Jeffersonia diphylla

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jef-er-SON-ee-ah dy-FIL-uh
Description

Jeffersonia diphylla, commonly known as twinleaf, is a flowering plant in the Berberidaceae family. Twinleaf is a perennial herb that produces white blooms during the months of March through May. The star-like flowers of 8 petals bloom on leafless stalks above immature leaves of only 8 to 12 inches tall; mature plants are up to 3 feet tall. The pear-shaped fruit pod is dehiscent and pops open to dispense seed. Its common name of twinleaf is due to the formation of identical lobes of the blue-green leaf at the top of stems. Native to North America, it can be found growing under the canopy of trees in the eastern portion of Canada and in the United States, Wisconsin to New York, to North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Twinleaf prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils in areas of full to part shade. It can be found in moist and extremely nutrient-rich forests, generally over rocks such as limestone. Twinleaf is a threatened species in North Carolina. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#NC native#acidic soils tolerant#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#NC native#acidic soils tolerant#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Jeffersonia
    Species:
    diphylla
    Family:
    Berberidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South East Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Description:
    Produces a yellow pod with brown seeds in the month of May.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1" single white flower atop a leafless stalk, 4 early falling sepals, and 8 petals. Flowers are short-lived.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6" basal long-stemmed leaves parted lengthwise into two wings.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stalkless.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Specialized Bees