Copy permalink to share

Triodanis perfoliata (Linnaeus) Nieuwland. Phenology: Apr-Jul. Habitat: Roadsides, gardens, glades, dry forests, disturbed areas. Distribution: ME and BC south to c. peninsular FL and Mexico; West Indies; Ecuador.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = C, Fl7, GrPl, Il, Mex, Mi, Mo2, NY, Tx, Va, WH3, McVaugh (1945), Rosatti (1986); = Specularia perfoliata (L.) A.DC. — F, G, RAB, Tat, WV; = Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl. ssp. perfoliata — Ar, K4; = Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl. var. perfoliata — NcTx, Pa, Tn, W; Campanula perfoliata Linnaeus — (basionym)

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus

Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FAC
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily : 8

Your browser does not support SVGs

Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.

image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷

Feedback

See something wrong or missing on about Triodanis perfoliata? 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.


Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect annual growing in gardens, glades, dry forests, roadsides and other disturbed areas.

Stems: Stem slender, unbranched, light green and ridged, with a line of hairs on each ridge.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, clasping the stem, heart-shaped, to 1 in. long, wavy-margined.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in groups of 1-3 in leaf axils along upper half of stem, the lower ones rarely opening. Flowers that do open are purple, ½ in. wide, with a short tubular corolla opening to 5 spreading lobes and a prominent pistil.

Fruits: Fruit an oblong to ellipsoid capsule.

Comments: Stem and leaves leak milky sap when broken.

Height: 4-12 in.

plant sale text: This lovely little native annual is often thought of as a weed, but its beautiful purple star-shaped flowers make it worthy of being given a spot in the garden. Venus' looking-glass attracts a variety of pollinator species, with the smaller bees (such as the little green metallic bees) being the most frequent visitors.

bloom table text:

description: Erect annual growing in gardens, glades, dry forests, roadsides and other disturbed areas.

stems: Stem slender, unbranched, light green and ridged, with a line of hairs on each ridge.

leaves: Leaves alternate, clasping the stem, heart-shaped, to 1 in. long, wavy-margined.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in groups of 1-3 in leaf axils along upper half of stem, the lower ones rarely opening. Flowers that do open are purple, ½ in. wide, with a short tubular corolla opening to 5 spreading lobes and a prominent pistil.

fruits: Fruit an oblong to ellipsoid capsule.

comments: Stem and leaves leak milky sap when broken.

cultural notes:

germination code: 2

native range: North America, Mexico, West Indies, Ecuador