#uvularia

[geopsych]

Merrybells, also known as large bellwort, Uvularia grandiflora, in the garden right now. It’s native to the eastern US but I’ve only seen other species of this genus in the wild here.

The leaves behind it are a cut leaf coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata.

[faguscarolinensis]

Uvularia perfoliata / Perfoliate Bellwort at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

[microcosmicobservations]

Large-flowered bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)

May 2025

[wildflowers-of-southern-ontario]

Largeflower Bellwort Uvularia grandiflora Colchicaceae (Bellworts and Allies) Family

Photographs taken on May 7, 2026, at Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontario, Canada.

[oliviarosaline]

Largeflower Bellwort

Uvularia grandiflora

Also known as Merrybells, this stunning spring ephemeral in the lily family is found in woods throughout central and eastern North America. Native Americans traditionally used this species as a remedy for certain skin conditions.

April 12th, 2023

St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Olivia R. Myers

@oliviarosaline

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Thursday 29 April 2021

Ideal for a humus rich soil in part shade is the spring flowering Uvularia grandiflora (bellwort, merry bells, throat root, wood daffodil). This herbaceous perennial has arching stems with clusters of nodding, narrowly bell-shaped yellow flowers with narrow, twisted tepals.

Jill Raggett

[cedar-glade]

Perfoliate bellwort

Uvularia perfoliata, the more common of the two bellworts known from Clifton Gorge,  i’ve only seen the other species once on the other side of the ravine which is usually inaccessible due to permit requirements. 

This is another pendulate ephemeral, seems to be mainly visited by larger bees, that looks more like a Solomon's seal as it comes up. As far as moisture requirements go, mesic hillsides are the habitat for this species. Not necessarily talus yards or alkaline spots either, just mesic rich woodland hillsides and slight embankments seem to be the preference. 

[vandaliatraveler]

Andrena (Derandrena) uvulariae is a highly specialized pollinator of the spring bellworts. This lovely little bee illustrates how ecosystem collapse can come hard and fast; the loss of its nectar source, which needs undisturbed, high-quality forest, would spell its doom as well. For now, the acrobatic spring pollinator above has a secure supply of sessile bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia) to feed on at Coopers Rock State Forest.