Uvularia grandiflora (Large-flowered Bellwort): Minnesota Wildflowers

Uvularia grandiflora (Large-flowered Bellwort)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:	Uvularia
Family:	Colchicaceae (Autumn-crocus)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part shade, shade; moist woods
Bloom season:	April - June
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
County distribution (click map to enlarge):
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Battle Creek Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Hanging yellow flower 1 to 2 inches long with 6 droopy, narrow petals (tepals) that are somewhat twisted; 1 to a few flowers per stem. There are 6 long stamens that are hidden by the petals.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide with pointed tips; the base of the leaf is round and completely surrounds the main stem (perfoliate). There are several distinct veins running parallel to the main central vein, the leaf edges are often rolled under, and there are fine white hairs along the veins on the underside. Attachment is alternate. Stems are smooth and light green; a plant often has multiple stems, growing in a clump.

Fruit:

Fruit is a 3-sectioned capsule roughly shaped like an inverted pyramid with rounded corners. Each cell contains several seeds.

Notes:

Large-flowered Bellwort is easy to ID from the twisted flower petals and perfoliate leaves. Formerly in the Liliaceae (Lily) family, Uvularia has been reassigned to Colchicaceae (Autumn-crocus).

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Wild River State Park, Chisago County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Jerry in Roseville
on: 2009-05-20 12:47:57

I just discovered, May 18, a new growth of large-flowered bellwort in the campus woods of Northwestern College in Roseville. These, along with new growth of Trillium, are evident since the removal of the buckthorn canopy in the woods. Both have "returned" to the woods after years of "hiding."

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2009-05-20 15:08:37

Excellent!

Posted by: Liz in Minneapolis
on: 2010-04-20 17:17:13

Uvularia grandiflora (Large-flowered Bellwort) now blooming in the Mississippi River gorge just a block from our house in the Seward neighborhood. Just lovely.

Posted by: Pat in Meeker co
on: 2010-04-30 20:44:43

After many years of Buckthorn eradication, I have found really nice colonies now thriving in my woods. I found that seed collection can be tricky as the pods split open all at once and fling the seeds.

Posted by: Sandy in Southern Crow Wing County
on: 2010-08-07 10:09:38

There are many of these in the forested areas around my home.

Posted by: Amy in Winona
on: 2011-05-09 19:57:58

We live on the bluff over looking the Mississippi River valley and just found these flowers in an on a North slope where we also cleared a bunch of Buckthorn two years ago. Very pretty and seem to do well both on the edge of the woods and also 50 feet into the woods.

Posted by: Kathy in Cass Lake
on: 2011-05-22 22:35:47

The bellwort are blooming in profusion in the marshy woods to the south west of Cass Lake, MN. Beautiful!

Posted by: Bonnie in Crosslake
on: 2011-05-31 13:41:33

The storm that went through last night uprooted an oak tree in a wooded area of our property, near the base of the tree was a group of large-flowered bellwort along with a few trillium. What a thrill it was to see them. I have been thinking about trying to grow trillium in that area but wasn't sure if they wood grow there. I guess I have my answer!

Posted by: Lou in Edina
on: 2011-07-02 19:43:56

we discovered these growing along the north side of our house (under an oak canopy). There are 2 large clusters of them. One clump is starting to cover jack in the pulpits, so we may try to move that clump. We'll leave the other clump undisturbed.

Posted by: Stephanie in Oakdale - Washington Co
on: 2011-09-06 16:07:09

Have 3 large clumps of this in my back yard in the gardens. It is one of the first things that blooms in my yard every spring.

Posted by: Carol in Alexandria
on: 2012-04-23 15:34:11

Discovered Ulvularia grandiflora for first time this growning season on April 23, 2012. Was happy to identify using this site. It's located in a two-year old hosta bed under a canopy of oak trees, which is adjacent to a wetland. The site also contains two types of Solomon Seal and other natives we are trying to identify. We are liking the natural look but are in a quandry. The hosta bed is named "The Pantry" so every plant chosen relates to food or pantry accessories.

Posted by: Paula in Monticello MN
on: 2012-05-02 14:18:07

While hiking and taking photos at Lake Maria state park I came across dozens of these Bellwort flowers. The twisting tepals are quite charming making for an interesting flower.