White Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © hanna-a (iNaturalist #94825186)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Chelone
- Species:
- Chelone glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- CHGL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Papaipema nepheleptena, satyr pug (Eupithecia satyrata), Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Butterflies:Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees, hummingbirds, Baltimore checkerspot butterfly larvae
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers wetland areas like marshes and stream banks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).