Nodding Mandarin is a small native perennial wildflower that grows in rich deciduous forests and in its southern range is usually found in the mountains. Small blooms appear in late spring that try to hide under the leaves. It is considered rare or uncommon in every state it is found.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Mountains
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2-4 in. leaves with parallel veins are stalkless with small, stiff hairs on the lower leaf surface and younger portion of the stem
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
1 inch nodding blooms have creamy white petals spotted with purple with projecting stamens. They appear on split stems singly or up to 4 clusters and hide under the final leaves of the stem.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
3-lobed berries are pale straw-colored with 6-10 seeds