Featherbells

(Stenanthium gramineum)

 

   

 

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Featherbells (Stenanthium gramineum (Ker) Morong)

Identification: A tall plant (3 to 5 feet in height) with an elongate panicle of white flowers. Flowers usually with 6 petals with elongate apices. Leaves elongate, grasslike, and folded lengthwise. Leaves concentrated near the base of the plant. Plant 3 to 5 feet in height.

Distribution: Illinois and Missouri in the west, Pennsylvania and Virginia in the east, and southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Featherbells are found in woods and thickets.

Flowering period: June to September.

Similar Species:  Featherbells may be confused with Bunchflower. The petals of Bunchflower are not elongate at the apex and the leaves (although long and grasslike) are not folded lengthwise.

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