Uvularia puberula Michaux. Section: Oakesiella. Common name: Carolina Bellwort, Appalachian Bellwort, Coastal Bellwort. Phenology: Late Mar-Early May; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Dry to moist upland, acidic forests, up to at least 1500m. Distribution: S. PA to GA in the Mountains and (more rarely) Piedmont, and from Long Island NY south to GA in the Coastal Plain and Sandhills.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: Sometimes interpreted as having two varieties, the montane and Piedmont plants as var. puberula (leaves broader, rounded to slightly clasping at the base, firm in texture, obviously reticulate on the lower surface, the stem puberulent in lines on the ridges) and var. nitida (Britton) Fernald (leaves narrower, more cuneate, thin in texture, the reticulation of cross veins less evident, the stems glabrous); see Wilbur (1963b) and Uttal (1991). While Wilbur (1963b) chose not to recognize varieties, Uttal (1991) supported varietal recognition. The differences seem minor and variable, and poorly correlated with geography.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, FNA26, K4, NS, NY, POWO, Tn, Va, W, Wilbur (1963b); = Oakesiella puberula (Michx.) Small — S, S13; = Uvularia caroliniana (J.F.Gmel.) Wilbur; = Uvularia pudica (Walter) Fernald — G, Pa, RAB, WV, nomen dubium; > Uvularia puberula Michx. var. nitida (Britton) Fernald — Uttal (1991); > Uvularia puberula Michx. var. puberula — Uttal (1991); > Uvularia pudica (Walter) Fernald var. nitida (Britton) Fernald — F; > Uvularia pudica (Walter) Fernald var. pudica — F. Basionym: Uvularia puberula Michx. 1803
Links to other floras: = Uvularia puberula - FNA26
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect understory perennial found in dry to moist upland, acidic forests, up to about 5,000 ft.
Stems: Stems 1 or more from a single crown, slender, with 1-2 branches, lines of hairs running down the stem from leaf bases.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, elliptic, 1-3 in. long, with parallel veins, lustrous bright-green.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers 1-3 per stem dangling on down-turned, slender stalks from leaf axils; straw-yellow; ½-1 in. long and bell-shaped; consisting of 6 tepals that are smooth on the inner surface.
Fruits: Fruit an ellipsoid, 3-sided capsule.
Comments:
Height: 4-18 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect understory perennial found in dry to moist upland, acidic forests, up to about 5,000 ft.
stems: Stems 1 or more from a single crown, slender, with 1-2 branches, lines of hairs running down the stem from leaf bases.
leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile, elliptic, 1-3 in. long, with parallel veins, lustrous bright-green.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers 1-3 per stem dangling on down-turned, slender stalks from leaf axils; straw-yellow; ½-1 in. long and bell-shaped; consisting of 6 tepals that are smooth on the inner surface.
fruits: Fruit an ellipsoid, 3-sided capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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