Queen’s Cup (Clintonia uniflora)

Bride’s Bonnet (Clintonia uniflora) is a flowering plant indigenous to mountainous areas of northwestern North America. It blossoms with bright white flowers in spring, summer and summer. Ruffed grouse feed on its fruit.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Clintonia uniflora, commonly known as bride’s bonnet, queen’s cup, or bead lily, is a species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. The specific epithet uniflora means “one-flowered”, a characteristic that distinguishes this species from others in the genus Clintonia. For this reason, it is also known as the single-flowered clintonia.

In 1829, Josef August Schultes described the plant variety Smilacina borealis var. uniflora, which was later segregated into species Smilacina uniflora. The latter was to become a synonym for Clintonia uniflora, first described by Carl Sigismund Kunth in 1850.

Clintonia uniflora is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by means of underground rhizomes. It is the smallest plant in the genus, only 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in) tall. It has two or three leaves located at the base of a hairy stem. Each leaf is 2.5 to 6.5 cm (1 to 3 in) wide and 8 to 20 cm (3 to 8 in) long. A plant typically bears a single flower but occasionally there will be an inflorescence of two flowers. The small flower has six white tepals, each approximately 2 cm (0.8 in) long, and six protruding white stamens with pollen-dusted anthers. After pollination, the flower is replaced by a round blue berry approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter.

Clintonia uniflora is native to western North America, from southern Alaska to central California, extending eastward into southwestern Alberta and northwestern Montana. It prefers cool montane coniferous forests, typically at elevations from 3,000 to 5,000 ft (914 to 1,524 m).

C. uniflora occurs in many forest types but it prefers a cool moist coniferous forest consisting of western red cedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), grand fir (Abies grandis), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). It is also associated with western white pine (Pinus monticola), Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), and noble fir (Abies procera). Companion species in the understory include threeleaf foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), and Canadian bunchberry (Cornus canadensis).

The range of C. uniflora overlaps with that of C. andrewsiana in Humboldt County and Del Norte County in northwestern California and Curry County in southwestern Oregon, but the two species are readily distinguished by their overall size and their flowers. C. uniflora has a single flower with white sepals while C. andrewsiana has multiple flowers arranged in one or more umbels. The petals of the latter are a deep claret red.

Clintonia uniflora is a perennial geophyte that can live up to 30 years (or more). The plant flowers between late May and July, and thereafter the fruit matures from late July to September. Citizen scientists observe flowering plants uniformly throughout June and July.

The plant is not considered palatable but it is of at least minor importance as food for some wildlife species including birds, elk, and deer. Frugivorous birds are the only reported dispersers of the seeds, which remain viable in the ground for at least a couple of years.

II. How to Grow and Care

Bride’s Bonnet requires constant moisture and cool conditions reflective of its native understory habitat. Special care must be given to soil quality, which should be rich, well-draining, and acidic. It thrives in dappled light but must be sheltered from intense sun. A key challenge in caring for bride’s Bonnet is mimicking its natural environment, making its cultivation outside native areas demanding.

Sunlight

Optimal growth for bride’s Bonnet is achieved under partial sun conditions, where the gentle interplay of light and shade promotes its development. While bride’s Bonnet is adept at tolerating full shade, straying too far from the ideal can cause suboptimal growth. It has evolved traits to cope with various light environments, ensuring its continued health. Typically found outdoors, bride’s Bonnet flourishes in dappled woodland settings, evading the colonization of spaces with harsher sunlight to maintain its delicate balance.

Watering

Thriving in the understory of its native moist forests, bride’s Bonnet has adapted to environments with consistent humidity. This species is characterized by a preference for evenly moist soil, reflecting its natural habitat’s conditions. As such, bride’s Bonnet should be watered every week to maintain this balance. In terms of care, it is crucial not to let the soil dry out completely between watering sessions. Given that bride’s Bonnet is more commonly grown outdoors due to its need for a cooler and humid climate, it’s important to ensure that outdoor specimens are shielded from excessive rain to prevent waterlogging, which can mimic their natural growth cycles.

Soil

Bride’s Bonnet is easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils.

Fertilizing

For the bride’s Bonnet, a balanced nutrition fertilizer is ideal, applied sparingly in spring as growth resumes. Benefits include robust growth and improved flowering, key for bride’s Bonnet thriving in woodland settings. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent root burn and foliage damage. Seasonal adjustments are less crucial due to bride’s Bonnet’s slow-growing nature. Apply fertilizer at the recommended label rate for houseplants, ensuring thorough soil integration. Regularity, not quantity, is pivotal for bride’s Bonnet’s fertilization, fostering a healthy bloom cycle and plant vitality.

Propagation

Distinct in its delicate charm, bride’s Bonnet can be effectively propagated through the cutting technique. For successful rooting, a clean, sharp cut of a healthy stem segment is imperative. It’s advisable to use a rooting hormone to enhance root development. Once cut, the stem should be placed in a well-draining soil mix, kept consistently moist, and provided with indirect sunlight. Careful handling during the initial stages of cutting establishment ensures a robust start for bride’s Bonnet. This method allows gardeners to preserve the unique qualities of the plant while promoting new growth.

Transplanting

The prime time to transplant bride’s Bonnet is between mid to late spring, a period that offers optimal growing conditions. Choose a shaded spot with moist soil. Though hearty, ensure gentle handling during the process to maintain root integrity.

III. Uses and Benefits 

The indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, including the Nuxalk, the Cowlitz, and the Haisla peoples, used the plant as a dermatological aid and eye medicine. The Nlaka’pamux (also known as the Thompson people) mashed the ripe blue fruit and used it as a dye or stain. Today Clintonia uniflora is used as a garden ornamental.