LucasLand

The Wildflowers

Perfoliate Bellwort

Uvularia perfoliata

Info below taken from Auburn

Merry Bells or Bellworts are one of the treasures of our spring forests. They multiply by long, fleshy, white underground stolons and form colonies of delicate stems holding straw-yellow bells nodding in the breeze.

Uvularia perfoliata is unique in the way the stem seems to go right through the leaf-blade. The leaves are elliptic, glaucous and entire. The solitary perfect flower is just over an inch long. There are six tepals (three petals and three sepals) of soft yellow. The fruit is a three-angled pod.

Bellworts bloom in April to June. These drooping bell-shaped flowers of the Lily Family are among the easiest of wildflowers to grow. Plant them in partially-shaded areas in rich, moist but well-drained soil.

Bellwort was sometimes used to cure throat problems because according to the " doctrine of signatures " it was thought that the blossoms look like the uvula, or palate (that pink appendage which hangs down the back of the throat). " Wort " is a name formerly given to plants used for food or medicine. When used as a suffix, it often just means " plant." The scientific name comes from " the flower hanging like the uvula."