The quartet, with emphasis on Trautvetteria

I thought I’ll write about a triad but almost a week has passed by and it has become a quartet!
The following species, all good in part-shaded locations, are in the inventory: Gillenia trifoliata, Spigelia marilandica, Glaucidium palmatum and Trautvetteria caroliniensis.

The first 3 need no introduction for the garden aficionados; who doesn’t know about the butterfly-like flowers of Gillenia, the ‘hummingbird magnet’ Indian pink (Spigelia), and ethereal flowers of Glaucidium?

On the other hand, Trautvetteria caroliniensis (False bugbane) is not that well known and cultivated. It is the only species of the genus with a North American and Asian distribution. Trautvetteria populations from N. America and Asia were treated as different varieties for a while, but it seems that no differentiating characters could be found between them.

I found Trautvetteria to be an intriguing plant. The ‘naked’ inflorescences composed of only white stamens are very similar to those of Hydrastis canadensis; the palmate leaves are also hinting towards Hydrastis or Glaucidium, both from Ranunculaceae family. After all, an older synonym name is Hydrastis caroliniensis.

Of course, those not interested in botanical details are just growing it because it is a beautiful and interesting plant for part-shaded locations.

The fruit is called utricle and contains one seed; so in fact we will be sowing the fruits. It is not practical to remove the pericarp as seeds may get damaged if trying to do so. I only took a few out to take a picture.

Trautvetteria caroliniensis fruits and seeds

Like for many other species from Ranunculaceae, we have to assume that the seeds are best sown asap, probably requiring first a slightly warm/moist period before a cold one (otherwise we can expect germination in the second year). It is a rhizome forming species, so don’t expect it to flower sooner than 3-4 years.

*Ernst Rudolf von Trautvetter (1809-1889), was a botanist from Estonia who specialized in flora of the Caucasus and Central Asia; during his life he served as director of the Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg and Professor and director of the Botanical Garden in Kiev.

Enough talk, let’s get going with the sowing! Time flies.