Uvularia sessilifolia
No, these aren't wilted. This is how the Bellwort grows! There are Large Bellwort (uvularia grandiflora) and Small Bellwort. At first I was going to identify these as Large but Large Bellwort grows 18" tall! These are much smaller. As far as Missouri goes, the Small Bellwort grows only in the southern part of the state.
Bellwort blooms from April to May. The window isn't a very big one to see these. With as warm as it has been I wouldn't be surprised if they are already done for the year here in the Ozarks.
According to Ozark Wildflowers: A Falcon Guide by Don Kurz (my wildflower bible!!!):
Early settlers cooked the upper stem and leaves as greens. the upper stems served as a substitute for asparagus. Canker sores in the mouth were treated with a concoction made from the roots.
Bellworts are common in mesic woods. These were all found along the Jacks Fork River.
Thanks for stopping by and learning a bit about Missouri's native wildflowers!
i've been loving these this year!! crazy they'd be cooked up for their stem, i'd def rather have the flower ;)
Me too!
Interesting looking flowers.
That's cool how the blossom twists like that. I've never heard of it or seen it before. Nice photos and very interesting writing about it! Thanks for posting.
They're so delicate, you'd think they were on their way to dying when you find them. Definitely not one to pick and bring home. Haha!
I floated Jack Fork River many years ago. It was a wild ride with some tipovers and much fun. Interesting information on the Bellwort plant.
Love