Speckled Wood Lily, White clintonia
Clintonia umbellulata

Family: Convallariaceae

What it is like

Clintonia umbellulata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Rich cove hardwood forests at elevations of 200 - 1000 metres.

Eastern N. America - New York to New Jersey, south to Georgia and Tennessee.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Harvested in spring before they fully unfurl, they have a cucumber flavour. Older leaves can be cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers a damp peaty sandy soil in a cool damp shady position. Requires a moist neutral to acid soil. Succeeds in acid clay soils. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c, but the new growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants only produce their fruit in warm seasons in Britain. They have shortly-creeping underground stems and form dense patches.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it usually germinates in the spring. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring in a cold frame. It sometimes germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c, but may take a year. The seed should be completely separated from the fruit and should only just be covered by soil. If the seed has been sown thinly enough, then it is possible to leave the seedlings in the pot for their first growing season, dividing them after they become dormant. Make sure to give them liquid feeds at intervals through the spring and summer. Otherwise prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in late spring or early summer at the beginning of their second or third years growth. Division in spring as new growth is just commencing.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. umbellata. Smilacena borealis umbellata