Jeffersonia diphylla (Linnaeus) Persoon. Common name: Twinleaf. Phenology: Mar-Apr; May. Habitat: Moist and extremely nutrient-rich forests, generally over calcareous or mafic rocks (including limestone, dolostone, amphibolite, greenstone, etc.) or very rich alluvium. Distribution: The species is widespread in ne. United States, south to MD, NC, and AL.
ID notes: Jeffersonia diphylla is somewhat suggestive of Sanguinaria canadensis in foliage, flower, and habit of having a scapose, many-petaled white flower borne in early spring. The blooms of both species are also somewhat ephemeral (although both have persistent leaves thus are not true spring ephemerals), those of Jeffersonia sometimes lasting only a day. Nonetheless, the leaves of Jeffersonia are deeply cleft along one seam, creating a 2-foliate leaf (hence "twinleaf") vs. Sanguinaria which is palmately lobed. Additionally, the capsules of Jeffersonia have a flattened top with a "lid" (vs. Sanguinaria capsules which are elongate and tapered at both ends).
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Can, F, FNA3, G, Il, K4, Mi, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tn, Va, W, WV, Stearn (2002); = Podophyllum diphyllum L. Basionym: Podophyllum diphyllum L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Jeffersonia diphylla - FNA3
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Heliophily ⓘ: 1
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Jeffersonia diphylla? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months. If a species is not keyed, that's because keying is ongoing. Please don't send us feedback about unkeyed species.
Horticultural Information
Intro: Stemless perennial found in moist and extremely nutrient-rich forests, generally over calcareous or mafic rocks (limestone, dolostone, amphibolite, greenstone, etc.) or very rich alluvium.
Stems: The flower and leaves are on separate, smooth stalks.
Leaves: Leaves deeply divided into 2 entire to shallowly lobed, identical, palmately veined segments, which are sometimes bluish-green. Overall, a leaf resembles a green, open-winged butterfly.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flower solitary at the top of a leafless stalk; white; about 1 in. wide; consisting of 8 elliptic to oblong-oval petals, 4 elliptic sepals that eventually drop off, and 8 stamens.
Fruits: Fruit an oblong to pear-shaped green capsule that turns brown and has a "lid" that eventually pops opens, releasing seeds that are dispersed by ants.
Comments: The flower resembles those of Sanguinaria canadensis.
Height: 6-11 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Stemless perennial found in moist and extremely nutrient-rich forests, generally over calcareous or mafic rocks (limestone, dolostone, amphibolite, greenstone, etc.) or very rich alluvium.
stems: The flower and leaves are on separate, smooth stalks.
leaves: Leaves deeply divided into 2 entire to shallowly lobed, identical, palmately veined segments, which are sometimes bluish-green. Overall, a leaf resembles a green, open-winged butterfly.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flower solitary at the top of a leafless stalk; white; about 1 in. wide; consisting of 8 elliptic to oblong-oval petals, 4 elliptic sepals that eventually drop off, and 8 stamens.
fruits: Fruit an oblong to pear-shaped green capsule that turns brown and has a "lid" that eventually pops opens, releasing seeds that are dispersed by ants.
comments: The flower resembles those of Sanguinaria canadensis.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America
0 unsaved edits on this page.