Bluebead Lily (Clintonia borealis) grows in the forests of the eastern United States. Its name is in commemoration of DeWitt Clinton, a former New York governor and senator. It only grows in shaded places. Bluebead Lily fruit is unpleasant-tasting and mildly poisonous.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Clintonia borealis is a species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. The specific epithet borealis means “of the north,” which alludes to the fact that the species tends to thrive in the boreal forests of eastern Canada and northeastern United States.
Clintonia borealis is commonly known as bluebead, bluebead lily, or yellow clintonia. The term “bluebead” refers to the plant’s small blue spherical fruit, perhaps its most striking feature. However, the term can be misleading since all but one of the species in genus Clintonia have blue fruits (notably, the fruit of C. umbellulata is black). Thus yellow clintonia is probably a better name for C. borealis since the adjective refers to the color of the plant’s flower, a unique character among Clintonia species. Compound names such as yellow bead lily or yellow bluebead lily are also in use.
Other less common names include corn lily, poisonberry, or snakeberry. Some authors refer to C. borealis as Clinton’s lily but that name may be more appropriate for the genus as a whole.
Clintonia borealis is a small (5–10 in) perennial plant, usually found in homogeneous colonies. At full growth, a shoot has 2–4 clasping and curved, slightly succulent leaves with parallel venation. The flowers are arranged in small umbels at the extremity of a long stalk. They have 6 stamens and 6 yellow petals (i.e. very similar sepals and petals). In rare cases more than one umbel is found on a shoot or shoots from a clone. The fruits are small dark blue, lurid berries, which are semi-poisonous. A white-berried form (f. albicarpa) also exists.
The plant reproduces via seed or vegetatively by underground rhizomes. By either method, the plants are slow to spread. One colony often covers several hundred square meters.
Bluebead Lily has the possibility to cause some toxic reactions in humans if ingested. These reactions are typically mild if they manifest, and are usually linked to the plant’s berries. The berries aren’t typically attractive or tasty to humans, but a child or mistaken forager might eat the berries while thinking they’re a safe variety.
Clintonia borealis is a wide-ranging species in eastern North America, from Newfoundland and Labrador across New England into the Great Lakes region west to Manitoba and Minnesota. Its range extends southward into the Appalachian Mountains where it is allopatric with C. umbellulata, that is, the ranges of the two species do not significantly overlap but are immediately adjacent to one another. In the Appalachians, C. umbellulata prefers hardwood forests less than 1,000 m (3,281 ft) while C. borealis populates coniferous or mixed forests up to 1,600 m (5,249 ft).
C. borealis is globally secure but threatened in Maryland and Tennessee. It is an endangered species in Ohio and Indiana.
Clintonia borealis is not found in open spaces, only growing in the shade. It is extremely slow to spread, but established clones can usually survive many later modifications, as long as sunlight remains limited. Whereas crossed pollination is more efficient in producing seeds, self-pollination will still produce seeds, allowing the plant to propagate.
Like other slow-growing forest plants, such as Trillium species, Clintonia is extremely sensitive to grazing by white-tailed deer.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight and Soil
Special care points include maintaining moist, well-drained soil and providing dappled shade to mimic its natural habitat.
Watering
Originating from the cool, moist understory of North American forests, bluebead Lily thrives in consistently damp soil conditions, mirroring its native habitat’s humidity. This species exhibits a preference for evenly balanced moisture levels and is moderately drought-tolerant. Care should include watering every week to maintain its preferred environment. As an herbaceous perennial commonly grown outdoors, bluebead Lily benefits greatly from mulching which helps retain soil moisture and stabilizes temperature – key factors in promoting healthy growth and water balance.
Fertilizing
Fertilize bluebead Lily with balanced nutrition fertilizers semi-annually to stimulate robust growth and vibrant blooms. Apply a low-strength solution during the growing season, reducing frequency as dormancy nears. Exercise caution to prevent root burn by adhering strictly to recommended dosages. Seasonal adjustments ensure bluebead Lily receives tailored nourishment, enhancing plant vigor and fruit production. Practical tip: water before fertilizing to protect bluebead Lily’s delicate roots.
Propagation
Bluebead Lily primarily propagates through its tubers. Difficult to propagate, success can be identified by new shoot development. Spring is the ideal season to separate and replant tubers, ensuring a healthy and robust growth.
Transplanting
The ideal time to transplant bluebead Lily is in fourth-fifth stage of development (S4-S5). This is when it has a well-established root system, ideal for strong growth post transplant. Ensure a shaded location with damp soil for its sustainability. Proper care post-transplant can greatly ensure successful adaptation.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Medicinal uses
The rhizome contains diosgenin, a saponin steroid with estrogenic effects.
- Culinary uses
The young leaves of the plant are edible while still only a few inches tall. The fruit however, is mildly toxic, and is quite unpleasant tasting.