Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

One of the two Bellworts in the Garden (Uvularia genus - the other is Wild Oats), Large-flowered Bellwort is a native erect perennial spring forb that ranges from 8 to 20 inches high on stems that fork above the middle into 2 or 3 divisions. Young plants maintain a single unbranched stem.

Leaves: Unlike it's smaller cousin, the leaves not only clasp but are pierced by the stem. One leaf is usually placed just below the lowest branch of the stem. They are oblong-ovate, with smooth edges, pointed tips, parallel veins, smooth on top and usually hairy on the veins on the underside, up to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.

The inflorescence consists of 1 to 3 flowers per stem with the stalk having a perfoliate bract below the flower, [above it as you view it, as the flower stem nods downward] the bract resembling a small leaf and pierced by the flower stalk.

Flowers are 6- parted with petals and sepals are combined as 6 tepals, pale to golden yellow in color, in an elongated twisted shape with pointed tips. These nod due to the weight on the upper stem. The reproductive parts are 6 stamens with yellow anthers and a tripartite style whose lobes arch outward at maturity.

Seed: At maturity a 3-lobed (celled) seed capsule is formed that has 2 truncated beaks on each lobe with each cell containing several seeds. Propagation by seed is difficult as the seeds must be kept moist and require a warm moist period followed by a cold moist period. Sow fresh seed and let it overwinter for germination the following year.

Habitat: Large-flowered Bellwort grows from a cluster of fleshy rhizomatous roots without stolons. The root system can vegetatively spread and produce multiple stems forming a nice clump which is usually not hidden by other plants until after the blooming period of late April - early May. The plant prefers a neutral to limy soil and will compete well with trees as it flowers in dappled sunlight before tree leafout. Heavily shaded areas should be avoided.

Names: The genus Uvularia is derived from the anatomical term uvula, meaning a lobe hanging from the back of a person's palate, and refers to the hanging flowers of this genus. The species grandiflora simple means 'large flowered'. The author name for the plant classification from 1804, ‘Sm.’ is for James Edward Smith, (1759-1828) English botanist, founder of the Linnean Society of London, author of numerous papers and books on botany including Flora Britannica and the the 4 volume The English Flora. He purchased the entire collection books, paper and specimens of Linnaeus upon that man’s death.

Bloom dates: Once you see this plant, it is an easy one to remember. During the years Ken Avery was Gardener (1959 to 1986) he reported Large-flowered Bellwort has bloomed in the Garden as early as April 15 and as late as May 7th. There was no change to those dates during Cary George's tenure as Gardener.