Shredded Umbrella Plant

Syneilesis aconitifolia (sin-ill-LEE-sis a-co-ni-ti-FOL-ee-ah)

Family: Asteraceae Non-native Herbaceous (3-15 ft)

The shredded umbrella plant is an herbaceous perennial that is grown for its attractive green foliage. In the spring, the leaves emerge on stiff stems like an unopened umbrella and are covered with silvery-white wooly hairs. As the leaves grow, they slowly open like a shredded umbrella and measure 10 inches in diameter. Small pinkish-white flowers appear in corymbs atop the brownish-purple stem from June to July. The plant may be difficult to obtain commercially, but its unique foliage will add much interest to a shade garden. This plant is a member of the Asteraceae or daisy family. The shredded umbrella plant is native to China, Korea, Japan, and Far East Russia. It is found along roadsides and on slopes along forest margins. The species name, aconitifolia, is derived from Latin. Folia means "leaves," and Aconitum means "resembling monkshood." The common name shredded umbrella plant is derived from its leaf's appearance. The shredded umbrella plant prefers full shade to part shade and well-drained humus-rich moist soils. It is drought and humidity tolerant once it is established. It spreads by creeping rhizomes and can form colonies over time. It is propagated by division. The stems are erect, smooth, and brownish-purple. The leaves appear grayish-green and peltate and deeply divided. The pinkish-white flowers emerge above the foliage. The fruit is a tiny achene that has white to reddish bristles and appears late summer to fall. For foliage interest, the shredded umbrella plant is best suited for shade gardens, cottage gardens, woodlands, or naturalized settings. It can also be considered as a container plant, specimen, or mass planting. Seasons of Interest: Blooms: Late Spring/Early Summer Foliage: Late Spring/Early Summer/Summer Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease issues, but slugs and snails may be seen. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 56 attributes.