woodland wildflower
Twinleaf
Jeffersonia diphylla
Also known as Rheumatism-root
1 of 2Native to the Midwest, the Southeast, and the Northeast and southern Canada
New York and southern Ontario to Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa, south to Maryland and mountains from Georgia to Tennessee
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Apr Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 18 in, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Twinleaf's white flowers bloom March to April, peaking in April. This early-spring ephemeral draws bees and flower flies.
Twinleaf blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Tricolored Bumble Bee, Horn-faced Mason Bee, Black-and-yellow Nomad Bee
- Flower flies Greater Bee Fly
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Midwest, the Southeast, and the Northeast and southern CanadaUnited States (18): AL, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WI, WV. Canada (1): ON. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- New York and southern Ontario to Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa, south to Maryland and mountains from Georgia to TennesseeThe 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.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Rich, damp soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–AprWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Apr–MayThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.