Native Plant Database

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Flaigg, Norman G.

Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl.

Clasping Venus' looking-glass

Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

USDA Symbol: TRPE4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Wheel-shaped, blue-violet flowers set singly in the axils of leaves that clasp the stem.

This plant also occurs in Mexico. The flowers in the lower leaf axils do not open but nonetheless produce seeds. The genus name, from the Greek treis (three) and odous (tooth), alludes to the three lobes of the calyx in many of the non-opening flowers. This distinctive annual can appear in any open spot, even in cultivated flower gardens. It is sometimes placed in the genus Specularia.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , ID , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , MT , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: Ontario east to New Brunswick, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota; also in much of West.
Native Habitat: Ditches, Ravines, Depressions, Hillsides, Slopes, Woodlands edge, Opening, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental
Use Medicinal: Cherokee Indians steeped roots and other parts of plant to make infusion for indigestion.
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I live in North Austin, and I'd like to find plants that would work in dry shade. This area does receive a couple of hours of morning sun, and I've had great luck with Hinckley's Columbine. Any other suggestions? Thanks!
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Triodanis perfoliata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Triodanis perfoliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Triodanis perfoliata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: LAL

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