Chelone glabra Turtlehead

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Chelone glabra visit the USDSA Natural Resources Conservation Service website. Native Plant of the Year 2019 - LEAP (Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity)
White oblong flowers of the native plant Turtlehead create a nice contrast against a black background
Turtlehead - by Roger Dahlin
A quarter serves as a comparisnext to a stack of dried turtlehead seeds.
Turtlehead seeds are enclosed in papery flaky covering


Cultivation Information Turtlehead

Height - 2-3 ftFlower Color - whiteBlooms - July - SeptemberSun - Full sun/part shadeHardy Zone - 3 to 8Soil - moist to wet
pH - 4.0 - 6.0
Family - Snapdragon
Benefits from an application of compost around the roots during the summer months
Naturalizes with - Lobelia cardinalis, Filipendula rubra, moisture loving species
Seed Provenance Chelone glabra
Nodding Onion Gardens - 2012 - present - Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2010 - 2011

The tips of Chelone glabra's white oblong flowers resembles the head of a turtle.
Turtlehead provides nectar and pollen late into the fall by Roger Dahlin

Wildlife Significance Turtlehead

Nectar Source - for numerous butterflies: Silver-spotted Skipper, Spicebush Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and humming birds, long tongued bees
Pollinators - Bumblebees and humming birds
Host: For the Baltimore caterpillars, a very rare butterfly. Snapdragon family acts as a host for the caterpillar of the Common Buckeye Butterfly.
Leaves: Bitter and not enjoyed by dear and other herbivores For detailed Information visit the Illinois Wildflower site.
Bee with his head in the white flower of the Turtlehead.
Bee Backing out of Turtlehead by Roger Dahlin
Propagation Notes Turtlehead
Stratifying Seeds

Storage - Moist Cold - 120 days - Small Zip lock plastic bag with a few table spoons of moistened vermiculiteSeeds Planted - 2-9-2012Sprouted - 2-23-2012 -Night Temperature - 61 - 63°FDay Temperature - 64 - 65°F - Under florescent lights
Needed Light - Did better when planted on top of soil Sow Outdoors - Very good results sowing these seeds outside in the fall either under a cold frame or in a garden, both have favorable out comes