Straw-bell (Uvularia perfoliata, Sp. Pl.: 304 (1753))

Family: Colchicaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 304 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Uvularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Ontario to E. Texas

Description

Straw-bell, with its scientific name Uvularia perfoliata, is a captivating flowering plant belonging to the Colchicaceae family. First described in Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this elegant plant boasts a wide geographic presence, stretching from Ontario down to Eastern Texas.

Uvularia perfoliata is known for its delicate bell-shaped flowers that hang gracefully from the plant. These straw-colored blooms typically appear in the spring, adding a touch of soft yellow to the forest understory where this plant prefers to grow. The perfoliate leaves, which appear to be pierced by the stem, provide a distinctive and easily recognizable feature.

The natural habitat of the Straw-bell includes deciduous forests and shaded, moist woodlands where it thrives in rich, well-drained soil. Its presence in such a broad range, from the cold climates of Ontario to the warmer regions of Texas, showcases its adaptability to different environments. These plants play an essential role in their ecosystems, offering early-season nectar to a variety of pollinators.

In the landscape of North American flora, Uvularia perfoliata holds a charming yet understated position. It might not be the most flamboyant plant in the forest, but its subtle beauty and ecological importance make it a worthy subject of study and admiration for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: perfoliate bellwort, straw-bell
Swe: liten guldrams
Fra: uvulaire perfoliée
En: Straw-bell, Perfoliate bellwort
Ar: زهرة اللهاة المثقوبة الورقة
Fr: Uvulaire perfoliée
Sv: Liten guldrams

Synonyms

• Uvularia flava (Sm.)
• Uvularia pudica (Fernald)
• Uvularia caroliniana ((J.F.Gmel.) Wilbur)
• Erythronium carolinianum (J.F.Gmel.)
• Uvularia perfoliata var. major (Michx.)
• Uvularia perfoliata var. minor (Michx.)
• Erythronium americanum f. carolinianum ((J.F.Gmel.) Voss)
• Anonymos pudica (Walter)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2021 by David DeLade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by Rachel Parks (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by Christopher Trosell (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Steve Weiler (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2019 by Chris Vander Kooij (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 30, 2019 by Gabrielle Rimok (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 6, 2015 by EOL − Susan Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 6, 2015 by EOL − Susan Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 16, 2013 by EOL − Christopher Tracey (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Matthew Dyer (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Sonya Charest (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Cooper, G.A. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2016 by EOL − trosek (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 7, 2016 by EOL − trosek (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 9, 2016 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 2, 2014 by EOL − Susan Elliott (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2740329)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:332111-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Uvularia perfoliata L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth