Wildflowers of the United States

Venus' Looking Glass, Clasping Bellwort, Clasping Venus' Looking Glass, Roundleaved Triodanis - Triodanis perfoliata

Family: Campanulaceae - Bellflower family

Native Status: Native

Dicot Annual Herb

Triodanis perfoliata - Venus' Looking Glass, Clasping Bellwort, Clasping Venus' Looking Glass, Roundleaved Triodanis. Synonym: Specularia perfoliata. There are 7 species of Triodanis in the United States. T. perfoliata is the most widespread, being found in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, and Nevada, and in much of Canada. T. biflora, a more southern species, is found in 24 of the 50 states, and is not reported in Canada. Texas is the only state where all 7 species of Triodanis are found. This native plant is considered weedy or invasive by some authorities.

Found in:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

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Distribution of Triodanis perfoliata in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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Site: Pigeon Mountain - Estelle Area, Walker County GA Date: 2011-May-21	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The purple to lavender blossom has a 5-lobed corolla, 5 stamen, and a 3-lobed stigma on a relatively thick style. The blossoms are in the leaf axils.

Site: Pigeon Mountain - Estelle Area, Walker County GA Date: 2011-May-21	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
I read one report that the top most leaves are opposing. The remainder of the leaves are alternating.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Pigeon Mountain - Estelle Area, Walker County GA Date: 2011-May-21	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Clasping Venus' Looking Glass is a relatively small plant, rarely growing as tall as 30", and is usually half that height or less. The leaves are alternate, clasping the grooved stem. They are toothed and almost round, appearing cordate as they clasp the stem. The plant is only slightly hairy, with small hairs along the ridges of the stem, and with ciliate leaf margins.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Pigeon Mountain - Estelle Area, Walker County GA Date: 2011-May-21	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Unopened blossom.
Click on the photo for a larger image

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Triodanis perfoliata initially published on USWildflowers.com 2011-05-30; Updated 2015-06-25

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer

Code Update 20230302