plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Bartonia verna [= Centaurella verna]

White Screwstem, Spring Bartonia, White Bartonia

Scientific Name:

Bartonia verna [= Centaurella verna]

Genus:

Bartonia

Species Epithet:

verna

Common Name:

White Screwstem, Spring Bartonia, White Bartonia

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Annual (Herbs Only)

Plant Family

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Wet pine savannas, shores of Coastal Plain depression ponds, other moist sands

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Annual (Herbs Only)

Wildlife Value:

No known wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S2: Imperiled (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

State Status:

W1: Watch List: Rare but Relatively Secure (*Key)

In bloom

Uncommon in our area (and hard to see!), White Screwstem has a tiny white flower, threadlike stem and opposite, scalelike leaves less than 1/4" long.

image

© Chuck Carmack, April 7, Moores Creek National Battlefield

Buds

Look closely to see the tiny, scalelike leaves. Click to enlarge.

image

Paynter, April 7, 2013, Moores Creek National Battlefield

Petal number

Normally, all Bartonias have 4 petals but the flower on the left has five.

image

Paynter, Moores Creek, 4.7.2013

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial b Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums