Native Plants

Plant Database

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.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:

Cressler, Alan

Shortia galacifolia

Shortia galacifolia Torr. & A. Gray

Oconee Bells, Oconee-bells, Shortia

Diapensiaceae (Diapensia Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SHGA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low, spreading, evergreen perennial with long-petioled, shiny, round, basal leaves. A 4 in., erect scape bears a single, large, white or slightly pinkish flower with five, frilled petals. The leaves turn bronze in the fall.

This species is of considerable interest to botanists. Extremely rare, it was not found again for almost a century after its initial discovery in 1788. It grows well in gardens. The species name suggests its resemblance to Beetleweed or Galax (Galax urceolata), but its scalloped leaves are smaller, and the flowers are solitary, not in long spikes. The genus name honors a 19th-century Kentucky botanist, Dr. Charles Wilkins Short.

From the Image Gallery

26 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: GA , NC , SC , TN , VA
Native Distribution: Locally in a few GA, NC & SC cos.
Native Habitat: Rich, wooded stream banks

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Well-drained, acid, humus-rich soil.
Conditions Comments: Difficult to establish and slow to spread. Rare in nature, but commonly cultivated as a ground cover.

Propagation

Description: Most easily propagated by division. To produce seed, cross pollination must occur between plants of different clones. The seed should be planted immediately after collection. Give seedlings protection for one year.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:					FACU

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.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back