Croomia pauciflora (Nuttall) Torrey. Common name: Croomia, Elfin Shoes. Phenology: Apr-May. Habitat: Moist bluff forests, often with beech and basswood. Distribution: Wc. GA and n. AL south to Panhandle FL (Gadsden & Liberty counties; Wunderlin & Hansen 2008), and allegedly se. GA (Whetstone in FNA 2002, Jones & Coile 1988) and s. LA.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA26, K4, NS, POWO, S, S13, WH3, Rogers (1982a); Cissampelos pauciflora Nutt. — (basionym)
Links to other floras: = Croomia pauciflora - FNA26
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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© Gil Nelson | Original Image ⭷
© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Floyd A. Griffith | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, often colonial perennial of moist bluff forests, often growing with beech and basswood.
Stems: Stems somewhat fleshy, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves alternate but appearing whorled because they are clustered atop the stem, petiolate, broadly oval, 4-7 in. long, with prominent parallel veins.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in small stalked clusters arising from leaf axils and hanging down below leaves, yellowish-green (may be purple-tinged), about 1/3 in. wide, consisting of 4 spreading, lance-shaped tepals and 4 thick, erect, reddish-maroon anthers closely pressed to the green ovary.
Fruits: Fruit a roundish capsule.
Comments: Could be confused with young/nonflowering plants of Smilax or Dioscorea species.
Height: 6-12 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect, often colonial perennial of moist bluff forests, often growing with beech and basswood.
stems: Stems somewhat fleshy, smooth.
leaves: Leaves alternate but appearing whorled because they are clustered atop the stem, petiolate, broadly oval, 4-7 in. long, with prominent parallel veins.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in small stalked clusters arising from leaf axils and hanging down below leaves, yellowish-green (may be purple-tinged), about 1/3 in. wide, consisting of 4 spreading, lance-shaped tepals and 4 thick, erect, reddish-maroon anthers closely pressed to the green ovary.
fruits: Fruit a roundish capsule.
comments: Could be confused with young/nonflowering plants of Smilax or Dioscorea species.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: GA, FL, AL & LA