Triodanis perfoliata [L.] Nieuwl. var. perfoliata (Legousia perfoliata (L.) Britt., Specularia perfoliata [L.] A. DC.)
overview
Erect, annual herbaceous plant reaching 75 cm in height but more commonly < 40 cm. Leaves are alternate with serrate edges, broadly ovate, slightly hairy and clasping a weak stem. Flowers chasmogamous, borne in the axils of upper and middle leaves with bright bluish-purple, tubular, five-lobed petals. Fruit a shiny black capsule, oblong to narrowly egg-shaped, opening above the middle when mature (Douglas et al., 2002; Justice and Bell, 1968; and Radford et al., 1968). Photo by Vince Scheidt.
other names
clasping bellwort
family
Campanulaceae
ecological setting
Common weed species growing in waste places, disturbed sites, pastures, prairies, and roadsides (Seyermark, 1963). Dry woods and open sites (Justice and Bell, 1968).
soil texture
Coarse-textured and free draining (Justice and Bell, 1968; Haddock, 2000).
moisture regime
Dry to moderately dry soils (Douglas et al., 2002).
shade tolerance
Full sun to partial shade (Seyermark, 1963).
successional status
Pioneer seral species on moister sites. Possible climax species on dry sites (USDA, 2002).
bec zone subzone status
Infrequent occurrence on S.E. Vancouver Island in association with Lathyrus nevasensis, Cammassia quamash and Dodecatheon hendersonii (Specimen notes, University of Victoria Herbarium).
site rehabilitation
Useful for attracting pollinating insects. Fibrous roots have the capacity to stabilize disturbed soils (USDA, 2002; Haddock 2000).
wildlife
Attracts mega-chilid bee, sphecid wasps, leatherwing beetles (Gara and Meunhow, 1990).
landscaping
Annual species but possible to mass in beds for pleasing purple colour.
first nations
Used as an intestinal medicine by many aboriginal peoples (Moerman, 1998).
flowering time
May - June
fruit ripening time
June - July
seed collection time
June - August
crop intervals
Annual
collection and abstraction
Collect capsules by hand into collection bags. Allow to dry, and then shake collection bags to release seeds.
fruit seed dormancy treatment
Sow seeds outdoors in flats or containers in late summer or early fall and allow dormancy to be broken naturally.
vegetative propagation
Not applicable to annual species.
additional info and photos
For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.