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Melanthiaceae
Featherbells
Stenanthium gramineum
Airy grace.
- Family
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus
- Stenanthium
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- perennial bulb
- Height
- 3-6 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade to full shade
- Soil
- moist, humus-rich, well-drained, acidic
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 5-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The spectacular flower stalk can tower 6 feet tall and bears hundreds of tiny star-shaped flowers in an open, feathery panicle that sways in the breeze.
- Native to the Appalachian Mountains and adjacent regions, it grows in rich, moist forest clearings and along mountain stream banks.
- The genus name Stenanthium means 'narrow flower' in Greek, referring to the slender, pointed petals of each individual floret.
- It is closely related to death-camas (Anticlea elegans), and like many members of the family Melanthiaceae contains toxic alkaloids.
- Featherbells is rarely seen in cultivation despite its striking beauty, partly because it requires cool, moist summers similar to its Appalachian homeland.
Color meanings
0
lightness
1
freedom
2
Appalachian heritage