Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_0344.JPG-05-12-2017
Flower name (scientific): Uvularia grandiflora Smith PY: 1805. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) oo-voo-LAR-ee-a gran-dih-FLOR-uh
Flower name (common): Large-flowered Bellwort
Family name (common): Autumn-crocus (Lily)
Family name (scientific): Colchicaceae (Liliaceae)
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: The hanging petals supposedly resemeble the human uvula (palatine uvula). Uvularia is Latin for the small conical shaped body at the center of the human palate.
    Specific epithet: With large flowers.
Common name origin: The large flowers have a bell shape.
Flower description:
     Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm)
     Petal count: 6
     Color: yellow
     Other: flower arrangement, Solitary
Plant description: Erect
     Size: 8 to 20 inches ( 20. to 51. cm)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple
     Size: Leaves up to 15 cm long and up to 6 to 7 cm wide.
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, perfoliate, elliptic to ovate-oblong (FNA), oblong-ovate to elliptic (IL)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common
Bloom time (typical): April to May
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat: Forrests, mesic woodlands, shade or part shade, rich soils.
Fruits:
Seed:
Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower.
Similar species (if any): Uvularia sessilifolia is a lookalike, but this has pale yellow flowers and sessile but non-clasping leaves, whereas U. grandiflora has leaves that surround the flower stem (perfoliate) and bright yellow flowers.
Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed this plant to reduce swellings (Smith, p. 41, 1923). The Ojibwe used the root as a remedy for stomach problems (possibly pleurisy) (Smith, p. 374, 1932). The Potawatomi used the roots to prepare an infusion which was employed to treat backaches. They also boiled down the infusion, mixed it with lard, and then used the resulting mixture to massage sore muscles and tendons (Smith, p. 61, 1933).
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Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV)
In Canada: (MB, ON, QC)
References:
Synonym(s):
Basionym: na
Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym: na