white turtlehead
Chelone glabra
The flowers are tightly closed, requiring heavy, strong insects like bumblebees to pry them open to reach the nectar inside.
- Scientific name
- Chelone glabra
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Lamiales › Plantaginaceae › Chelone
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Wet meadows, marshes, stream banks, swamp borders, and wet ditches.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, absorbing water and minerals through roots).
- Range
- Eastern United States, Eastern Canada
- Size
- 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) tall
- Lifespan
- Perennial (rhizomes can live for decades; individual stems are annual).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Wetland drainage, habitat fragmentation, invasive plant species, and excessive deer browsing.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This plant is safe to observe and touch. However, to protect its fragile wetland habitat, avoid trampling the surrounding soil. Do not ingest wild plants. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin.
Chelone glabra ( white turtlehead ) is an herbaceous species of plant native to North America. Its native range extends from Georgia to Newfoundland and Labrador and from Mississippi to Manitoba. Its natural habitat is wet areas, such as riparian forests and swamps.
Photo: Colette Descent, CC0, via iNaturalist
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