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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Tellima grandiflora

Tellima grandiflora (Pursh) Douglas ex Lindl.

Bigflower Tellima, Fragrant Fringecup

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

Synonym(s): Tellima odorata

USDA Symbol: TEGR2

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

Out of flower, Fragrant Fringecups is often confused with alum-root. The clumps of leaves are similar and increase slowly. The flowering stalks are 1-3 ft. high, bearing a long racemes with cup-shaped flowers crowned by white, green or pink fringed petals.

This species is a beautiful plant of shaded woods, the slender wands of flowers arching upward or standing erect above the rich green foliage. The unusual petals are at first white or cream to pinkish red, but often become dark red with age.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Red , Pink , Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Mts. of San Luis Obispo and Placer Cos., CA to n.w. MT, n. to s. AK
Native Habitat: Cool, moist woods & rocky places below 5000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rich, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Fringe cups can be somewhat aggressive. The plants are susceptible to mildew.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
Warning: Some websites list this species as moderately toxic if ingested. That data has not been verified.
Fragrant Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by division or seeds.
Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary.
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	FACU							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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
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 Tellima grandiflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Tellima grandiflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tellima grandiflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-28
Research By: TWC Staff

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