Buds of Twinleaf, Jeffersonia diphylla
A very early wildflower, Twinleaf, Jeffersonia diphylla, is native to eastern North America. It is a plant that I must remind myself to hunt for, well before I’m used to finding wildflowers blooming. Here in the mountains of central Virginia, that crucial time is late March into early April. Each flower only lasts for a very few days, so searching at the right time is important.
Twinleaf, Jeffersonia kiphylla, in bloom. Note creamy white stamens.
Flowers of Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. Note yellow stamens.
The buds, and the blooms of Twinleaf are reminiscent of Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, but the bloom of the Bloodroot has yellow stamens, and 8 to 12 petals. The flowers of Twinleaf have only 8 petals, with creamy white stamens.
Leaves of Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Butterfly or angel wing shaped leaves of Twinleaf, Jeffersonia diphylla
Take note of the leaves in the photographs, above, they are quite different. The leaf of Bloodroot (top photo) is round with 3 to 9 lobes, while the leaf of the Twinleaf (bottom photo), like its name suggests, resembles 2 leaves, although each side is a leaflet, with the whole leaf resembling a butterfly or angel wings. In both the Twinleaf, and the Bloodroot plant, the leaves don’t totally unfurl, making themselves obvious, until the flowers are finished blooming.
Seed pod of Twinleaf, Jeffersonia diphylla
The seed pod of Twinleaf, to my eye, resembles a goblet. I’ve not observed the ripening of the seed pod, and I’m looking forward to seeing it happen. In my reading, I have seen the ripe seed pod described as having a hinged lid. I can imagine that hinged lid by looking, right now at that seed pod. It will be fun to see it open.
Twinleaf seeds are one of many seeds that ants are attracted to. These seeds are carried by the ants to their nests, because they have a fatty appendage, which the ants feed to their larvae. In the process, the seeds remain intact and are discarded, where they may take root. Ant farmers!
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Two beautiful flowers! I finally added Bloodroot to my garden. I am not certain if Twinleaf is hardy to zone 4? A girl can’t have too many wildflowers. I do hope you share the ripening and opening of that seed pod! It is so cool.