Stenanthium gramineum (Ker Gawl.) Morong

Eastern Featherbells; Featherfleece

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Eastern Featherbells is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae). It is native primarily to the northeastern portion of Alabama. Eastern Featherbells occurs in moist hardwood forests, on roadside banks, and in open, rocky woods. It is a perennial with a slender bulb surrounded by a fibrous coat formed from old leaf bases. Leaves are mostly basal. The leaves are linear in outline, glabrous, with entire margins. The leaves are alternate on the stem and rapidly reduced in size to bracts. Flowers are produced in open terminal panicles. The fragrant flowers are rotate and have 6 white to greenish-yellow tepals. The fruit is a capsule. Eastern Featherbells is sometimes available from wildflower nurseries. It prefers a slightly acidic, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It can be grown under light shade but best flowering occurs in full sun. Mature clumps can be separated when dormant and plants can also be grown from seed.—A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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