Uvularia perfoliata Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Liliaceae

Stems:

Stem and leaf base.

Leaves:

N/A

Inflorescence:

N/A

Flowers:

Flowering – March – May.

Habitat – Alluvial woods, deciduous woods, hammocks, bluffs.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This species can be found mainly in the northeastern half of Alabama. The plant can be identified by its perfoliate leaves, yellow flowers, and glabrous leaves. The tepals of the plant are also rough internally. Another species, U. grandiflora Smith, is similar but has leaves which are usually pubescent below and tepals that are glabrous internally.
The genus name for the plant is derived from the Latin “uvul(a)” meaning “the palate” or “uvula”, referring to the way the flowers hang like the uvula.
The species epithet perfoliata is derived from the Latin “per” meaning “through” and “foli(a)” meaning “leaf” referring to the way the stem seems to pass through the leaves.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken in Brown Summit, NC., 4-22-03.