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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Clintonia borealis (Bluebead)
Smith, R.W.

Clintonia borealis

Clintonia borealis (Aiton) Raf.

Bluebead, Yellow Bluebead-lily, Clintonia, Blue-bead Lily

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Dracaena borealis

USDA Symbol: clbo3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)

A basal clump of three to five thick, shiny, oval leaves surrounds an 8-15 in. leafless stem topped by a cluster of nodding, pale yellow-green flowers. The stalk rises from a basal set of shiny, bright green, oblong leaves and has at its summit 3-6 yellowish-green, drooping, bell-like flowers. Bright blue, spherical berries follow the flowers.

The cluster of beautiful fruits are noted for their extraordinary true-blue color. The plant was named in honor of the former governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828). A less common species, White Clintonia (C. umbellulata), has numerous, erect, white flowers and black berries.

 

From the Image Gallery

27 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall when flowering.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Blue

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CT , GA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Lab. to Man., s. to New England, mountains of GA & TN, MI & MN
Native Habitat: Damp, coniferous woods & bogs; sometimes deciduous and birch-fir woods; sub-alpine meadows

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Deep, damp, cold leafmold.
Conditions Comments: Difficult to grow where summer temperatures are substantially above 75 degrees. In appropriate environments, clintonia provides an attractive ground cover. Benefits from a heavy einter mulch of mixed pine and deciduous leaves. Watch for slugs and snails.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Chipmunks and birds relish the berries.
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries suspect, caution. No known cases. Toxic Principle: Unknown; suspected due to relation to toxic plants.

The plant was named in honor of the former governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828). (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Usually propagated by dividing underground runners in fall or early spring, but may also be grown from seed planted immediately after ripening. Plant divisions 1 in. deep. Be careful when handling the rhizomes and roots, because they are brittle. Pulp-
Seed Treatment: Must be stratified; accomplished naturally by planting outdoors.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FAC FAC FAC FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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