NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Uvularia perfoliata

Scientific Name:	Uvularia perfoliata
Genus:	Uvularia
Species Epithet:	perfoliata
Common Name:	Perfoliate Bellwort, Mealy Bellwort, Merrybells
Plant Type	Herb/Wildflower
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Colchicaceae (Meadow Saffron Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Size:	0-1 ft., 1-3 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	Yellow
Light:	Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Moist
Bloom Time:	April, May
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Moist to fairly dry hardwood forests. Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in Coastal Plain.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Not Assigned
Landscape Value:	Not Assigned
State Rank:	S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
In bloom Perfoliate Bellflower has leaves that seem to have a stem going right through them ('perfoliate'). Paynter, Ashe Co, May, 2011
Flower The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees.
Flower close-up The flowers have raised yellow to orange dots that are characteristic of this species.
Perfoliate leaves and light yellow flowers Macon County, NC Bettina Darveaux
A large patch. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Distinct perfoliate leaves - the basal edges of the leaf are united around the stem. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Flora of North America