Uvularia sessilifolia (Sessile-leaf Bellwort)
| Also known as: | Straw Lily, Wild Oats |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Uvularia |
| Family: | Colchicaceae (Autumn-crocus) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade; moist woods, thickets |
| Bloom season: | April - June |
| Plant height: | 4 to 12 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACU MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/sessile-leaved-bellwort_0517_114226.jpg)
Flower is about 1 inch long and hangs down on a slender stalk. There are 6 pale yellow or cream colored petals that curve out slightly at the tip end. The petals are not fused, as most bell-shaped flowers are. A plant usually has a single flower, but occasionally has 2.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/sessile-leaved-bellwort_0517_114358.jpg)
In early spring leaves may look grass-like, up to 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, tapering to a point at both ends, with no stalk. The edges are smooth and often rolled up but flatten and spread out with maturity. Distinct parallel veins are easily seen on the underside of the leaf. The main stem forks into 2 branches near the top of the plant, with a few leaves on each branch. The main stem is sheathed (see photo below) on the lower 1/3 of the plant, and tends to zig-zag between the alternately attached leaves..
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/uvularia-sessifolia-seed-7298-2.jpg)
Fruit is a ¾ to 1¼ inch long capsule, generally oval to round with an abrupt point at the tip and tapering at the base to a short stalk. There are 3 distinct winged edges around the capsule.
Notes:
It's easy to miss seeing the flower because it's a short plant and the flower may be hidden under the leaves. Large-flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) also grows in the same habit at the same time of year, but has brighter yellow flowers with twisted petals, and leaves that surround the stem (perfoliate). Formerly in the Liliaceae (Lily) family, Uvularia has been reassigned to Colchicaceae (Autumn-crocus).
Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
Sessile-leaf Bellwort plants
the stem sheathPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Ramsey County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Savanna Portage State Park, Aitkin County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-07-22 19:52:48
i found these on our property in bovey minnesota. they do not normally grow in that area and never have on that property. our dog died last summer and this spring these flowers sprouted in a 10-15 foot radius around her grave close to mothers day. our daughter said they should be renamed roses because of the special circumstance surrounding their growth.
on: 2015-05-11 11:42:11
The Sessile-leaf Bellwort was blooming all over our woods on 5/10/2015 along with Dutchman's Britches, Bloodroot, Wild Ginger, Wood Anemone, Spring Beauties, Yellow Violets, Large-Flowered Trillium and Canada Mayflower
on: 2015-05-24 17:18:26
Saw a nice little cluster of these growing in my woods this afternoon. Easy to miss if you're not paying attention to the smaller flora and fauna.
on: 2015-07-12 12:10:05
Found a few of these on our trail through the woods. Also found Large Bellwort.
on: 2016-05-19 20:27:36
These are blooming along dirt roads, trails, and in the woods. A lovely color addition to an otherwise dry leaf ground cover.
on: 2017-05-01 12:25:57
I have a few of these in my shady area of garden. Moved from our grove of trees.
on: 2017-05-13 14:58:48
Found a nice cluster of these blooming in the shade on the north side of my neighbors house in town.
on: 2017-05-27 21:11:17
Lots blooming today st Judge Magney state park
on: 2017-05-29 19:29:18
I saw an abundance of this flower 6 days ago in Jay Cooke State Park south of Duluth. I saw them along the wide path that is above the river.
on: 2018-05-05 00:21:41
There are several small patches of this yellow Bellwort within a very large patch of Bloodroot. The flowers were bright yellow on 5/4/18.
on: 2018-05-11 17:18:01
First time I noticed these little flowers, growing in a very sheltered woody area in our backyard. Very delicate shade of yellow and quite pretty.
on: 2018-05-13 22:23:59
I photographed one in my "maple garden" today which had three blossoms. I was quite surprised. The photo is on my Facebook timeline for 5/13/18.
on: 2018-07-25 16:26:20
I saw these on a walking path in town that starts on County Road 30 heading south on the path. Lots of them growing there. Some of them were very tall -- almost looked like a plant from the jungle with their huge leaves. The tops of all the plants though were chewed off by something. I never was able to see that many flowers that actually opened up and bloomed before they shrivelled up.
on: 2018-07-25 16:53:46
Sharon, it was likely you saw something other than sessile-leaf bellwort, since it does not grow very tall or have huge leaves. Also, since it is an early spring bloomer, plants would have withered away and gone dormant by now (end of July).
on: 2019-05-15 17:41:32
Both white and yellow Bellwort seen in Lebanon Hills park in Eagan.
on: 2020-05-18 08:16:57
I photographed these pretty little flowers yesterday growing in Koochiching county where it doesn't look like they have been recorded growing before. I have never seen these before in Minnesota. Can you advise me on who and how to report these so that it can be recorded and added to the map?
on: 2020-06-06 12:35:21
Have a patch of these that bloom in our woods about 10 by 12' large, in May. Very pretty cream color.
on: 2021-05-07 16:10:50
I have them. Very pretty and delicate. More this year than last.
on: 2021-05-16 15:24:09
There are hundreds of these growing along the Bike Trail between the hospital and the Forest History Center!
on: 2021-05-19 09:12:09
Photographed one in Wild River State Park blooming on May 14, 2021. I mis-identified as a trout lily, not knowing the leaves of a trout lily. My mother corrected me when she saw my photo (the leaves are not even remotely similar).
on: 2021-05-30 10:43:51
Found in center of refuge among ginger and bloodroot patches. Refuge is also full of large-leaf bellwort.
on: 2022-05-04 18:18:46
I found a sizeable community in Nicollet County - a first for me in this area. Growing with Coptis trifolia and Sanguinaria canadensis.
on: 2022-05-06 11:39:09
I found a sizeable community in Nicollet County - a first for me in this area. Growing with Coptis trifolia and Sanguinaria canadensis.
on: 2022-05-13 22:33:56
These sprung up all over the woods this year out of nowhere. I've never seen them anywhere except under a tree in our yard, but suddenly they're growing along the side of every path. They're super adorable and look beautiful growing next to the various species of violets and wood &rue anemones.
on: 2023-05-06 22:04:42
Seen today at Snail Lake Regional Park. They were growing in a disturbed area with many invasive plants, so they really stood out!