• Photo of Clintonia umbellulata (Clintonia umbellulatas)

Plant Profile: Clintonia umbellulata

Taxonomy: Clintonia umbellulata

Names

Clinton's Lily, Speckled Wood Lily, Speckled Wood-lily, White Clintonia

  • Photo of Clintonia umbellulata (Clintonia umbellulatas)

Phonetic Spelling:klin-TOH-nee-ah um-bel-lew-LAH-tuh

Genus:Clintonia

Species:umbellulata

Family:Liliaceae

This perennial herb showcases a stunning display of white flowers. It thrives in lush, moist woodlands, often found in proximity to oak trees, as well as on dry ridges and slopes. While Clinton's Lily and C. borealis may coexist in the same habitat, Clinton's Lily typically resides at lower altitudes. The flowers, occasionally adorned with a hint of pink at their edges, resemble tiny disco balls, illuminating the forest from late spring through early summer. Their enchanting beauty is sure to attract wildlife, drawing them to your wooded space to admire this exquisite floral arrangement. This plant invites pollinators to join in its vibrant celebration, and a closer look reveals intricate details that enhance its charm. Your woodland will become a lively gathering spot, appealing to all. Additionally, this plant exhibits greater heat and drought resistance compared to C. borealis.

Clintonia umbellulata Feature Summary

Clintonia umbellulata Image Gallery

Tags

#white
#perennial
#white flowers
#wildlife plant
#NC native
#pollinator plant
#native wildflower
#wildflower garden
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#bird friendly
#food source soft mast fruit
#bee friendly
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
#audubon
#woodlands

Similar Plants

Clintonia umbellulata Feature Summary

Attributes
Fruit
This plant has an umbel of dark blue to blackberries. Fruit is available August-October.
Black
Blue
Flowers
This plant has umbels of 5-30 small, white flowers (sometimes edged in pink) on 8-18 in. almost-leafless stem. They are often speckled with purple. Flowers bloom May-June.
Pink
Purple/Lavender
White
Spring
Summer
Leaves
This plant has 2-5 basal, elliptical leaves. They have hairs along the margins and midrib.
Elliptical
Whole Plant Traits
Native Plant
Wildflower
Cultural Conditions
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Mountains
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Pollinators
Songbirds
Bees

Clintonia umbellulata Attributes

Clintonia umbellulata: Country Or Region Of Origin

Eastern U.S.A

Clintonia umbellulata: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Clintonia umbellulata Fruit

Clintonia umbellulata: Fruit Description

This plant has an umbel of dark blue to blackberries. Fruit is available August-October.

Clintonia umbellulata: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Clintonia umbellulata: Fruit Color

grass
Black
grass
Blue

Clintonia umbellulata: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Clintonia umbellulata Flowers

Clintonia umbellulata: Flower Description

This plant has umbels of 5-30 small, white flowers (sometimes edged in pink) on 8-18 in. almost-leafless stem. They are often speckled with purple. Flowers bloom May-June.

Clintonia umbellulata: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Pink
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
White

Clintonia umbellulata: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Clintonia umbellulata: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Clintonia umbellulata Leaves

Clintonia umbellulata: Leaf Description

This plant has 2-5 basal, elliptical leaves. They have hairs along the margins and midrib.

Clintonia umbellulata: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Clintonia umbellulata: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Clintonia umbellulata Whole Plant Traits

Clintonia umbellulata: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Clintonia umbellulata Cultural Conditions

Clintonia umbellulata: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Clintonia umbellulata: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Clintonia umbellulata: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Clintonia umbellulata: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Clintonia umbellulata Stem

Clintonia umbellulata: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Clintonia umbellulata Landscape

Clintonia umbellulata: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Clintonia umbellulata: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Clintonia umbellulata: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees