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Heuchera richardsonii
Heuchera richardsonii R. Br.
Richardson's Alumroot, Prairie Alumroot
Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)
Synonym(s): Heuchera hispida, Heuchera richardsonii var. affinis, Heuchera richardsonii var. grayana, Heuchera richardsonii var. hispidior
USDA Symbol: HERI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Richardson’s alumroots attractive basal leaves, resembling those of a hard maple with rounded lobes, are supported on long petioles. The flowering stalk is normally leafless and rises 1-3 ft. A somewhat inconspicuous inflorescense is made up of small, greenish-white, drooping flowers on short, individual stalks.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: CO , IA , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , OK , SD , WI , WYCanada: AB , ON , SK
Native Distribution: MI to Sask. & n.e. MT, s. to IN, MO & CO
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky woods; prairies; hillsides; clearings
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: The primary value of this species is as a ground cover.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds, ButterfliesConspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Propagation
Seed Collection: Check for mature seeds in dark-brown capsules 3-4 weeks after the plant has flowered. The seeds are black when mature and are smaller than grains of black pepper. Dried seeds may be stored, uncleaned, in sealed, refrigerated containers.Seed Treatment: Stratification is suggested in some references. Others say pretreatment decreases the germination rate.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
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
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 Heuchera richardsonii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Heuchera richardsonii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Heuchera richardsonii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-14Research By: TWC Staff