Appalachian Bellwort

Uvularia puberula (oo-voo-LAR-ee-a pub-ER-uh-luh)

Family: Colchicaceae Native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Carolina Bellwort is a North Carolina native wildflower in the Lily family that is found in dry to moist upland forests. Unlike the majority of other bellworts, this variety prefers dry sites. It is commonly found in the mountains and the coastal plains of North Carolina on bluffs, dry wooded slopes, barrens and other acidic dry locations. In North Carolina it is sometimes categorized as being two varieties. var. puberula is typically found growing in the wild in the mountains and piedmont areas of North Carolina. This variety has broader leaves that are rounded and slightly clasping at the base. The leaf underside is reticulate, having prominent veins that are parallel to each other. The texture if firm. Its stem has fine hairs on the ridges. var. nitida, can be found growing in the sandhills and coastal plains. Differing from var. puberula , the leaves are narrow and wedge shaped. The texture is thin. The leaf underside has similar veins, but they are not as prominent. Its stem is smooth. It is sometimes confused with Uvulaira sessilifolia , but a distinct characteristic in their form sets them apart. Where the undivided section of the Uvulaira puberula's style (the long, slender stalk connecting the stigma and the ovary) are half as long as the style branches, the Uvularia sessilifolia's undivided part of its style is 3 to 5 times as long as the style branches. Its glossy leaves allow it to blend into the forest floor in the summer months. It can be found easier in the spring when the plant yellow flowers appear. Its seed capsule is triangular. These green capsules will turn brown as the seeds mature.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 50 attributes.