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)
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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Horticultural Information
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