Perfoliate Bellwort is a native perennial wildflower found in moist to somewhat dry hardwood forests along the eastern coast of North America. This variety is becoming increasingly rare in some of its native territory. It grows best in soil that are rich in humus. In North Carolina, it is common in the Mountains and Piedmont, but rare on the coast. Its common name Perfoliate Bellwort arises from the way the stem appears to pierce through the leaf blade. There are typically 1 to 4 leaves below the fork in the stem. There is one leaf per node along the stem. An early bloomer and early to go into dormancy, it can be readily identified in a still brown leaf cover of the winter forest. Later on the growing season it will become dormant. A solitary flower with 6 tepals will sprout on each stem. The tepals are up to 1.25" long and have a granular texture on the inside. If the conditions are favorable, it will spread through fleshy, white underground stolons to form a colony. The leaves and roots are edible. The young shoots can be cooked and are a good substitute for asparagus. The roots can be eaten after being cooked. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Can be endangered by competition with invasive species of plants.
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.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
There is one leaf per node along the stem. The veined leaves are oblong with the widest area just below the middle and tapering at each end. They are glabrous on the upper leaf and glaucous on the underside.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Yellow flowers bloom from April into early summer. The interior surface of the flower has a roughened texture and contains small glands.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
The fruit displays from June to August. Each three sided capsule will split along 2 or more seams, releasing 2 or more seeds.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stems can be singular or branched. They are slender and smooth to the touch.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Canada and U.S.A.
Distribution
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Wildlife value
Native bees seek out the nectar.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attracts Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Roots
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
The leaves and roots are edible.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area; Patio; Pond; Small Space; Woodland