Melanthium virginicum Linnaeus. Common name: Bog Bunchflower, Virginia Bunchflower. Phenology: May-Aug; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Pine savannas, bogs, fens, seeps, wet seepage-fed forests. Distribution: S. NY, PA, OH, IN, IL, and IA south to c. peninsular FL and e. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, FNA26, G, GW1, Il, K4, Mo1, NS, NY, POWO, RAB, Tat, Tx, W, WV; = Veratrum virginicum (L.) W.T.Aiton — Ar, ETx1, Pa, Tn, Va, WH3, Zomlefer (1997a); > Melanthium dispersum Small — S, S13; > Melanthium virginicum L. — S, S13; Melanthium virginicum L. Basionym: Melanthium virginicum L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Melanthium virginicum - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL (name change)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (name change)
- Great Plains: FACW (name change)
- Midwest: FACW (name change)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACW (name change)
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of savannas, bogs, wet streamheads and wet forests.
Stems: Flowering stems arising from a rosette of leaves, unbranched, densely hairy above and smooth below.
Leaves: Leaves both basal and (smaller) alternate on the stem, arching, with sheathing petioles (lower leaves only), broadly linear, 3--30 in. long, folded lengthwise.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in large (to 2 ft. long), branching terminal panicle; lower flowers perfect and upper ones staminate; greenish-white to cream-colored (fading to green or purple), 3/4-1 in. wide, consisting of 6 spreading, oblong-oval tepals, narrowed abruptly at the base, bearing stiff hairs on the outer surface and 2 small glands on the inner surface toward the base.
Fruits: Fruit a 3-lobed capsule.
Comments:
Height: 2-5 ft.
plant sale text: Virginia bunchflower is a little-known native perennial of moist areas throughout a large portion of the eastern U.S. In June, this species produces a large branching cluster of waxy, greenish-white to cream colored, showy flowers borne on tall, erect stalks above thin, whorled foliage. In the garden, this species performs best in average to rich moist soils and makes for a nice accent plant or as a component of the perennial border. Like other members of this family, this species is toxic and its rootstock has been used to kill flies and other insects. All the same, several species of bees, wasps, moths, butterflies and other insects pollinate the Virginia bunchflower.
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of savannas, bogs, wet streamheads and wet forests.
stems: Flowering stems arising from a rosette of leaves, unbranched, densely hairy above and smooth below.
leaves: Leaves both basal and (smaller) alternate on the stem, arching, with sheathing petioles (lower leaves only), broadly linear, 3--30 in. long, folded lengthwise.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in large (to 2 ft. long), branching terminal panicle; lower flowers perfect and upper ones staminate; greenish-white to cream-colored (fading to green or purple), 3/4-1 in. wide, consisting of 6 spreading, oblong-oval tepals, narrowed abruptly at the base, bearing stiff hairs on the outer surface and 2 small glands on the inner surface toward the base.
fruits: Fruit a 3-lobed capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code: 2
native range: eastern United States
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