Blue-bead Lily

Description:

Flowers are in groups of 2 to 6 at the end of a long naked stem that sprouts from the base of the plant. Individual flowers are up to 1 inch long and a typical lily bell shape, 6 tepals (petals) that flare out, 6 long stamens with yellow tips and a long straight style. The color is yellow to yellowish green. The flowers tend to nod down. Each plant has a single stem of flowers. Leaves: Leaf attachment: basal Leaf type: simple There are 2 to 4 leaves around the base of the plant, each up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide with a pointed tip and tapering at the base. There is a distinct central vein and faint parallel veins. The surface is glossy. Fruit is a berry about ¼ inch in diameter that ripens to a deep blue color, and is where the common name originates.

Habitat:

part shade, shade; moist woods, swamps

Notes:

Bluebead grows in clumps and can form large colonies. A pretty common species, it's hard to avoid coming across it in just about any moist woods, bog or swamp north of the Metro. Formerly in the Liliaceae (Lily) family, Clintonia has been reassigned to the Colchicaceae (Autumn-crocus) family.