Mitella diphylla Linnaeus. Common name: Two-leaved Miterwort. Phenology: Apr-Jun. Habitat: Mesic, rocky forests, rocky seeps, and seepage swamps, especially over mafic or calcareous rocks. Distribution: QC west to MN, south to e. VA, w. NC, nw. SC, ne. GA, nw. GA, MO, and n. AR.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: The fringed petals will reward a close look.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, Can, F, FNA8, G, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV. Basionym: Mitella diphylla L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Mitella diphylla - FNA8
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, rhizomatous perennial found in moist rocky forests, rocky seeps and seepage swamps, especially over mafic or calcareous rocks.
Stems: Stems thin, sparsely hairy below and glandular-hairy above.
Leaves: Leaves mostly basal, with a pair of opposite (sometimes alternate) leaves on the stem and sometimes a third leaf just above; petiolate to sessile; oval to round in outline; 1-3 in. long; divided into 3-5 shallow lobes (the terminal lobe prolonged); palmately veined; toothed.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers 5--20 in a narrow terminal raceme, white, less than ¼ in. wide, consisting of 5 spreading tiny petals that are pinnately divided into minute, obliquely ascending segments, creating a snowflake-like appearance. The calyx is bell-shaped.
Fruits: Fruit a 2-beaked capsule containing numerous, tiny seeds.
Comments:
Height: 8-16 in.
plant sale text: A member of the Saxifragaceae family along with Tiarella, Astilbe and Heuchera, Bishop's cap is found growing in rich wet woods and along stream banks in the mountains of VA, NC, SC, and GA, and east to the piedmont and coastal plain of VA. This species prefers medium to deep shade and can tolerate drier conditions. The flowers are sparsely arranged on a short, slender, erect spike and have delicate fringed petals. Bishop's cap is a great addition to the shade garden and is most effective when planted en masse as a ground cover.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, rhizomatous perennial found in moist rocky forests, rocky seeps and seepage swamps, especially over mafic or calcareous rocks.
stems: Stems thin, sparsely hairy below and glandular-hairy above.
leaves: Leaves mostly basal, with a pair of opposite (sometimes alternate) leaves on the stem and sometimes a third leaf just above; petiolate to sessile; oval to round in outline; 1-3 in. long; divided into 3-5 shallow lobes (the terminal lobe prolonged); palmately veined; toothed.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers 5--20 in a narrow terminal raceme, white, less than ¼ in. wide, consisting of 5 spreading tiny petals that are pinnately divided into minute, obliquely ascending segments, creating a snowflake-like appearance. The calyx is bell-shaped.
fruits: Fruit a 2-beaked capsule containing numerous, tiny seeds.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America
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