Polymnia canadensis Linnaeus. Common name: White-flowered Leafcup. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Moist forests, particularly over calcareous rocks. Distribution: VT and ON west to MN, south to NC, nw. GA, AL, and AR.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Previously recognized species or varieties (see synonymy) may have merit and need additional evaluation (Tennessee Flora Committee 2015). The "canadensis entity" has short rays (1-5 mm long; the "radiata entity" has longer, showier rays (6-13 mm long).
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA21, G, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Oh3, Pa, RAB, SE1, Tn, Va, W, WV, Estes & Beck (2011), Pittman, Bates, & Kral (1989), Wells (1965); > Polymnia canadensis L. — S; > Polymnia canadensis L. var. radiata A.Gray; > Polymnia radiata (A.Gray) Small — S
Links to other floras: = Polymnia canadensis - FNA21
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial found in moist forests, particularly those over calcareous rocks.
Stems: Stems simple or branched, densely hairy and with stalked glands, especially above.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate (sometimes winged and with large stipules), 10-16 in. long, deeply pinnately divided into 3-7 sharply pointed, coarsely toothed lobes (upper leaves may lack lobes).
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in branched terminal and upper axillary clusters; heads 1/2 in. wide and consisting of 5-8 white, oval ray florets with 3-toothed tips encircling a center disk of tiny, whitish-yellow, tubular florets with protruding yellow stamens.
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Height: 2-6 ft.
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bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial found in moist forests, particularly those over calcareous rocks.
stems: Stems simple or branched, densely hairy and with stalked glands, especially above.
leaves: Leaves opposite, petiolate (sometimes winged and with large stipules), 10-16 in. long, deeply pinnately divided into 3-7 sharply pointed, coarsely toothed lobes (upper leaves may lack lobes).
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in branched terminal and upper axillary clusters; heads 1/2 in. wide and consisting of 5-8 white, oval ray florets with 3-toothed tips encircling a center disk of tiny, whitish-yellow, tubular florets with protruding yellow stamens.
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