Alternate name: Yellow Clintonia, Yellow Bluebead Lily
Family: Liliaceae, Lily view all from this family
Description The stalk rises from a basal set of shiny, bright green, oblong leaves and has at its summit 3-6 yellowish-green, drooping, bell-like flowers.
Flowers: 3/4-1" (2-2.5 cm) long; sepals 3, petal-like; petals 3; stamens 6.
Leaves: 5-8" (12.5-20 cm).
Fruit: shiny, oval, pure-blue berry 1/2" (1.3 cm) in diameter.
Height: 6-15" (15-38 cm).
Warning Berries are poisonous if eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Flower May-August.
Habitat Moist woods, acid soils.
Range Labrador to northern New England; south to mountains of Georgia and Tennessee; north to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Discussion The cluster of beautiful fruits are noted for their extraordinary true-blue color. The plant was named in honor of the former governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828). A less common species, White Clintonia (C. umbellulata), has numerous, erect, white flowers and black berries.
