woodland wildflower
Pink turtlehead
Chelone lyonii
1 of 2Native to Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Mountains of eastern Tennessee and Alabama to western North Carolina and South Carolina
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Aug–Oct Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade. At up to 4 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Bombus fervidus, Sculptured Resin Bee +2 more
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee, Modest Masked Bee - Hummingbirds Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Flower flies American Snout Fly
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Baltimore checkerspotcaterpillar host
- Common buckeyecaterpillar host
- American snoutnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and TennesseeUnited States (4): AL, NC, SC, TN. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Mountains of eastern Tennessee and Alabama to western North Carolina and South CarolinaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8 · Canadian 4–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Light, rich, moist or wet soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Aug–OctWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.