Smith, R.W.
Mitella diphylla L.
Twoleaf miterwort, Miterwort
Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
A slender, elongated cluster of tiny white flowers, with 5 delicately fringed petals, above 1 pair of stalkless leaves at midstem; other leaves basal. Delicate plant with basal, heart-shaped, hairy stemmed leaves and a pair of similar, but stemless, leaves two-thirds up the flower stalk. Sparse
spike of minute, white, fringed flowers.
The flower is a fantastic bit of geometry, especially evident when viewed with a hand lens. The single pair of leaves at midstem accounts for the species name. The common and
genus names allude to the
fruit, which has the shape of a small cap or bishops miter. Naked Miterwort (
M. nuda), a lovely smaller species, has only basal leaves and fewer, slightly larger, greenish to yellow flowers; it occurs from Alberta east to Newfoundland, south to Pennsylvania, west to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa, and northwest to North Dakota.
Image Gallery:
2 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KY , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: S.w. Que. & NH to MN, s. to upland GA,TN & AR
Native Habitat: Rich, wet woods; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Rich, moist, sometimes limey, soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2012-10-03
