description Pink Turtlehead Overview
Pink turtlehead, Chelone lyonii, is a perennial flowering plant native to the southeastern United States. It produces dense terminal clusters of pink or rose-purple, two-lipped flowers whose shape resembles a turtle's open mouth. The plant grows naturally in moist woods, stream margins, and other damp habitats, and it is cultivated in rain gardens, woodland borders, and sites with consistently moist soil.
insights Ranking position
Pink Turtlehead ranks #60 of 341 in the Wildflower ranking, behind Common Milkweed, ahead of Great Blue Lobelia.
help Pink Turtlehead FAQ
Why is Chelone lyonii called pink turtlehead?
Each two-lipped pink flower resembles a turtle's head with an open mouth. The botanical genus name Chelone also comes from a Greek word for tortoise or turtle.
What growing conditions does pink turtlehead need?
Chelone lyonii prefers consistently moist, rich soil and grows in sun to partial shade. It is particularly useful beside streams, ponds, and rain gardens where the ground does not dry out for long periods.
When does pink turtlehead bloom?
It generally blooms from late summer into early autumn. Its dense rose-pink flower clusters add color after many spring woodland plants have gone dormant.
Does pink turtlehead attract Baltimore checkerspot butterflies?
Turtlehead plants in the genus Chelone serve as larval hosts for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly. Adults also visit flowers, while bumblebees are especially effective at entering the blossoms and pollinating them.
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