Medeola virginiana (Indian Cucumber-root)

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LILIACEAE

Medeola virginiana Linnaeus. Common name: Indian Cucumber-root. Phenology: Mid Apr-mid Jun; Sep-Oct. Habitat: Moist forests, usually with acidic soils. Distribution: QC and ON west to MN, south to GA, Panhandle FL, and LA.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Other Comments: The tuber is white, crisp, tasting cucumber-like, usually about 5 cm long and 5 mm in diameter. Bell (1974) described patterns of vegetative growth. Flowering plants have a second, smaller whorl of leaves; the flowers are borne on recurved pedicels beneath the top whorl of leaves. In fruit, however, the pedicels are ascending or erect, bringing the fruits above the top whorl. When the berries are ripe, the leaves of the upper whorl become scarlet at the base, presumably acting as an attractant to frugivorous animals.

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Can, F, FNA26, G, GW1, Il, K4, Mo1, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; = Medeola virginica L. — S13, orrthographic error. Basionym: Medeola virginiana L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Medeola virginiana - FNA26

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Wetland Indicator Status:

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

Heliophily ⓘ: 2

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Horticultural Information

Intro: Erect perennial from a tuber-like, horizontal rhizome, found in moist forests, usually on acidic soils.

Stems: Stems wiry, unbranched, woolly-hairy when young.

Leaves: Leaves 5-11 in a whorl partway up the stem, with a second whorl of smaller, fewer leaves at the top; oblong-lance-shaped; to 6 in. long; glossy-green and smooth.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers 3-9 in a sessile umbel of flowers, each flower dangling just below the upper leaf whorl on a 1-in.-long stalk; yellow-green; about 2/3 in. wide; consisting of 6 strongly recurved tepals, 6 stamens and a 3-branched style.

Fruits: Fruit a purple-black, roundish berry; the umbel of berries is held above the leaf whorl when ripe.

Comments:

Height: 8-24 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect perennial from a tuber-like, horizontal rhizome, found in moist forests, usually on acidic soils.

stems: Stems wiry, unbranched, woolly-hairy when young.

leaves: Leaves 5-11 in a whorl partway up the stem, with a second whorl of smaller, fewer leaves at the top; oblong-lance-shaped; to 6 in. long; glossy-green and smooth.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers 3-9 in a sessile umbel of flowers, each flower dangling just below the upper leaf whorl on a 1-in.-long stalk; yellow-green; about 2/3 in. wide; consisting of 6 strongly recurved tepals, 6 stamens and a 3-branched style.

fruits: Fruit a purple-black, roundish berry; the umbel of berries is held above the leaf whorl when ripe.

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Horticultural Information