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Clintonia uniflora
Clintonia uniflora (Menzies ex Schult. & Schult. f.) Kunth
Bride's Bonnet, Queen Cup, Bead Lily
Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Smilacina borealis var. uniflora
USDA Symbol: CLUN2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Each rosette of 2-3 oblong, glossy-green leaves, up to 6 in. in height, bears a short flowering stalk with one or two open, bell-shaped, white flowers. 1 (rarely 2) white, star-like flower blooms on a short leafless stalk that grows from a basal cluster of 2 or 3 oblong or elliptic, shiny leaves. Each flower is followed by a single, amethyst-blue berry. This is a spreading perennial and serves as a ground cover.
Generally there are several clusters of leaves in a patch, for the plant produces an extensive system of underground stems.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall when flowering.
Fruit: Blue
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: AK to Tulare Co., CA, e. to s.w Alt. & w. MT
Native Habitat: Cool, mid-elevation forests
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Rich, moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Bead lily will need protection from slugs.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Ruffed grouse are fond of the blue berries.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Propagate by root divisions taken in spring or by seed. Seedlings will take up to 4 years to flower.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
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 uniflora in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Clintonia uniflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clintonia uniflora
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-01Research By: TWC Staff