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turtlehead
Scientific Name: Chelone
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Turtlehead (Chelone spp.)
The name "turtlehead" refers to several perennial North American herbs of the genus Chelone. This name originates from the unique shape of the flowers, which bear a striking resemblance to the head of a turtle poking out of its shell.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Chelone
- Family: Plantaginaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family)
- Species: Examples include Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead or Lyon's Turtlehead), and Chelone cuthbertii (Cuthbert's Turtlehead)
- Synonyms: Balmony and Shellflower for Chelone glabra
Distribution and Habitat
- Turtleheads are native to North America.
- They are often found in heavy, wet soils.
- They adapt well to garden conditions.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Turtlehead plants are upright, sturdy, and vertical perennials.
- They have rounded stems.
- Leaves are medium texture, deep-green, and boldly veined, growing on short stalks.
- Plants form an upright, bushy mound of green foliage.
- The flowers are tubular and two-lipped.
- Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead) grows to 1-4 ft. tall with erect stems ending in spikes of white flowers.
- Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' features lustrous, deep green foliage and rose pink flowers on red stems in August and September.
Ecological Role
- Turtlehead is mentioned as a wetland plant and is valuable for creating butterfly habitat.
- It serves as a host plant, providing larval food for certain butterfly and insect species.