
| Also known as: | |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Jeffersonia |
| Family: | Berberidaceae (Barberry) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Status: |
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| Habitat: | part shade; rich woods |
| Bloom season: | April - May |
| Plant height: | 4 to 18 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
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A single 1-inch flower at the end of a slender naked stem. Flowers have 8 white petals and 8 erect yellow stames around the green ovary in the center. A plant may have multiple flowering stems.
Leaves are basal on slender stems, they are deeply cleft at the tip and base, appearing to be a pair of leaves mirroring each other. Each half is typically somewhat oval with a pointed tip, but may be lobed or coarsely toothed or wavy around the edges. A few scale-like leaves surround the base of the plant. During the bloom season, leaves may only be about an inch long, on stems shorter than the flowers. As fruit develops both flowering and leaf stems elongate and leaves can enlarge up to 4 inches long.
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Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis and in a private garden in Dakota County
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-04-24 10:32:02
While a species of Special Concern in Minnesota - we are in the extreme NW edge of its range, it's far more common in Wisconsin - this species is increasingly available at retail garden centers such as Linders (limited quantities & expensive) does well in rich soil shade gardens - very fleeting but wonderful in the spring.