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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Trollius laxus

Trollius laxus Salisb.

American Globeflower

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: TRLA14

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

The showy, pure white to cream, cup-shaped flowers are up to 1 1/2 in. wide with numerous bright yellow stamens. The 6-20 in. stems are usually clustered together. Solitary blossoms occur terminally. Leaves are palmately lobed into sharply toothed segments.

The name Globeflower refers to the shape of the flower in cultivated species (this native western species is much flatter).

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 20 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CO , CT , ID , MT , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: Alt. to B.C., s. to WA & CO mts. (var. albiflorus); var. laxus is rare & local from w. CT to NJ, w. to OH
Native Habitat: Cool swamps; alpine meadows; wet slopes; pond edges.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Var. albiflorus, a plant of the Rocky Mts. and westward, differs only slightly from var. laxus of e. U.S., which has slightly narrower, more yellowish sepals.

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds soon after fall harvest.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

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 34 - Go Botany (2019) Native Plant Trust
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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