Bellwort | |
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Uvularia grandiflora | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Colchicaceae |
Genus: | Uvularia |
Species | |
U. floridana |
Uvularia is a genus of plants in the family Colchicaceae, close to the lily family (Liliaceae). They are commonly called Bellworts, Bellfowers or Merrybells. This unusual flower is found in April and May, often on wooded slopes or in ravines and it spreads by stolons[1][2][3] or stoloniferus rhizomes[4]. The plants are usually 18 to 24 inches (45–60 cm) in height and bear one or two flowers which hang downward from the axils of the leaves.
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There are five species of Uvularia and all are exclusively native to North America. They grow from northern Florida to Canada west to Minnesota and south to Texas. These unobtrusive woodland plants are great for the woodland and shade garden, they require little work and are happy just left alone but are also easy to work with if you must move them.
They have erect, simple or twice branched stems with leaves at the top of the stems that are alternate, or perfoliated. Flowers hang downward in Spring from the top of the plants. They form singularly or sometimes in pairs.