Uvularia perfoliata L.

Perfoliate Bellwort; Mealy Bellwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Perfoliate Bellwort is a native herbaceous perennial in the Saffron family (Colchicaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama. Perfoliate Bellwort occurs in rich deciduous woodlands, in ravines and on slopes, and in floodplain forests. It is a perennial with a short rhizome and clustered fleshy roots. It forms small colonies from elongate stolons. Stems are erect, simple or branched, green in color, round in cross section, and glabrous. The leaves are perfoliate, ovate to elliptic in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are glabrous and glaucous on the lower surface. Flowers are nodding and solitary on a peduncle with a large perfoliate bract. Each flower has 6 yellow tepals that are papillose on the inner surface. The fruit is a capsule. The seed have a large fleshy aril at their base. Perfoliate Bellwort is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a moist, organic rich soil and light shade. It can be naturalized in a woodland garden or planted with other spring flowering perennial such as Trillium, Hepatica, and Violets.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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