Jacob's Ladder

(Polemonium vanbruntiae)

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae  Britt.)

Identification: Flowers violet, bell-shaped, with 5 petals. Stamens long, protruding from the bell of the flower. Flowers arranged in small clusters from the top of the plant or lateral branches. Leaves divided into a large number of opposite leaflets. Plant arising from a woody, root covered rootstock. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: A rare species found from Vermont and New York, southward to Maryland and West Virginia.

Habitat: Jacob's Ladder is an inhabitant of wooded swamps and bogs.

Flowering period: June to July.

Similar Species: Greek Valerian is similar to Jacob's Ladder but the stamens do not protrude past the lip of the flower and the leaves have far fewer leaflets. Greek Valerian is a smaller plant (less than 1 foot in height) with smaller flowers.