Clasping venus’s-looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 192 (1914))

Family: Campanulaceae

Author: (L.) Nieuwl.

Bibliography: Amer. Midl. Naturalist 3: 192 (1914)

Year: 1914

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Triodanis

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. America to S. South America

Description

Clasping Venus’s-looking-glass, scientifically named Triodanis perfoliata, is a fascinating member of the Campanulaceae family. This plant has an extensive range, stretching from North America all the way to the southern regions of South America, showcasing its adaptability to various climatic conditions and environments.

Characterized by its delicate aesthetic, Clasping Venus’s-looking-glass is noted for its unique leaf arrangement. The term “clasping” refers to the way the leaves seem to encircle or grasp the stem, creating a visually striking feature. The plant typically produces small, vibrant flowers that contribute to its ornamental appeal, making it not only a subject of interest for botanists and naturalists but also a charming addition to gardens and natural landscapes.

Historically, Triodanis perfoliata was documented in the American Midland Naturalist journal in 1914, a testament to its longstanding recognition and classification within the scientific community. The formal description and nomenclature attributed to it by (L.) Nieuwl. further solidified its place in botanical literature.

In natural settings, Clasping Venus’s-looking-glass thrives across a diverse array of habitats, often found in meadows, open woods, and prairies. Its widespread distribution from North to South America underscores its ecological versatility and resilience. This adaptability also indicates a certain level of hardiness, allowing it to withstand various environmental stressors across its range.

In conclusion, Clasping Venus’s-looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata) stands as an intriguing and attractive species within the Campanulaceae family. Its widespread presence across the American continents, unique morphological features, and historical botanical documentation contribute to its prominence among flowering plants.

Common Names

Eng: clasping bellwort, clasping venus’ looking-glass, clasping venus’ lookingglass, clasping venus’s-looking-glass, clasping-leaf venus’ looking-glass, common venus’ lookingglass, roundleaved triodanis, clasping venus’s looking glass, clasping-leaved venus’ looking-glass, round-leaved triodanis
Swe: indianspegel
Fra: spéculaire perfoliée
En: Clasping Venus’s-looking-glass, Clasping Venus’ looking-glass, Venus’ looking-glass, Clasping-Leaf Venus’-Looking-Glass, CLASPING VENUSLOOKINGGLASS, CLASPING-LEAF VENUS’-LOOKING-G, Venus lookingglass, Clasping Venus looking-glass, Clasping Venus’ lookingglass, Clasping bellwort, Clasping-leaf Venus’ looking-glass, Common Venus’ lookingglass, Roundleaved triodanis, Clasping Venus’s looking glass, Clasping-leaved Venus’ looking-glass, Round-leaved triodanis
Zh: 異簷花
Fr: Spéculaire perfoliée
Sv: Indianspegel
: Clasping venus’ looking-glass

Synonyms

• Specularia perfoliata ((L.) A.DC.)
• Campanula perfoliata (L.)
• Pentagonia perfoliata ((L.) Kuntze)
• Prismatocarpus perfoliatus ((L.) Sweet)
• Legousia perfoliata ((L.) Britton)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 16, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2012 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Kyle Grubb (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Alice Brennan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by K. T. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 28, 2020 by Muhammad IDRIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by Emily (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by Katryna Rokicki (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 8, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2012 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 16, 2003 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 16, 2008 by EOL − Ron Thomas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Kyle Grubb (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 10, 2022 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 15, 2020 by Marcelo Villena Rojas (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3167003)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:258447-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth