Caulophyllum thalictroides (Linnaeus) Michaux. Common name: Common Blue Cohosh, Green Vivian. Phenology: Apr-May; Jul-Aug. Habitat: Rich forests. Distribution: NS, QC, ON, and MB, south to GA, AL, AR, and OK.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Can, FNA3, GrPl, Il, K4, Mi, NE, NS, NY, POWO, Tat, Tn, Va, W, Haines (2003c), Loconte & Blackwell (1981), Loconte & Blackwell (1984), Loconte & Blackwell (1985), Stearn (2002); = Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. var. thalictroides — C; = Leontice thalictroides L.; < Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. — F, G, Pa, RAB, S, S13. Basionym: Leontice thalictroides L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Caulophyllum thalictroides - FNA3
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Heliophily ⓘ: 1
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© Gary P. Fleming
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of rich, deciduous forests.
Stems: Stem smooth with a blue-green tint and white-waxy coating.
Leaves: Leaves 1 (2), petiolate, divided into many stalked, veiny, oval leaflets that are 1-3 in. long and irregularly toothed/lobed; blue-green and with a waxy coating.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a branched terminal cluster, brownish-green to yellowish-green, ¼ in. wide, consisting of 6 sepals with nectar glands at the base (no real petals), 6 stamens, and a prominent ovary.
Fruits: Fruit a conspicuous pair of deep blue, fleshy seeds.
Comments: The very similar Caulophyllum giganteum blooms a little earlier and has larger (1/2 in. across), more purplish flowers.
Height: 1-3 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of rich, deciduous forests.
stems: Stem smooth with a blue-green tint and white-waxy coating.
leaves: Leaves 1 (2), petiolate, divided into many stalked, veiny, oval leaflets that are 1-3 in. long and irregularly toothed/lobed; blue-green and with a waxy coating.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a branched terminal cluster, brownish-green to yellowish-green, ¼ in. wide, consisting of 6 sepals with nectar glands at the base (no real petals), 6 stamens, and a prominent ovary.
fruits: Fruit a conspicuous pair of deep blue, fleshy seeds.
comments: The very similar Caulophyllum giganteum blooms a little earlier and has larger (1/2 in. across), more purplish flowers.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America
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