Sunday, January 10, 2010

Twinflower - Dyschoriste oblongifolia


Twinflower (Dyschoriste oblongifolia) is a member of the snapdragon family and found nearly statewide in Florida.  Elsewhere, it is found only in states immediately adjacent to us; Alabama (where it is extremely rare) and Georgia.  It occurs in a variety of upland habitats, but is most common in flatwoods and sandhills that are not excessively well drained.
Twinflower is a low-growing groundcover that can spread rapidly in the understory by underground runners and form near monocultures in open and/or disturbed sites.  It rarely stands taller than 12 inches. The thin stems are cloaked in oval-shaped opposite leaves that may be 1 inch long.  This is a deciduous perennial.
Blooming occurs over many months beginning in the spring and sometimes extending until November.  The flower buds are formed in pairs opposite each other on the stem and these usually open at the same time.  The light purple tubular flowers are characterized by a reticulated pattern on the lower lip and inside the corolla.  The flowers are primarily of interest to bees and other such pollinators. 
Twinflower spreads primarily by its underground runners, though it does set plenty of seed which is spread when the seed capsules split open.  Because of its small size and extended blooming season, it makes a wonderful addition to the front of a mixed wildflower planting.  And, although it will spread, it is not aggressive and usually does not compete well with larger and denser species.  Give it some space if you want it to expand its population.  Twinflower is also good in a butterfly garden - not so much for its nectar production, but as a larval food plant for the common buckeye.
Twinflower is an exceptionally adaptable species in a home garden, but does not appreciate extremes in soil moisture levels.  If soils remain too dry for long, it will quickly disappear.  It can tolerate high moisture for short periods without harm, but is certainly not a wetland plant.
Many Florida nurseries propagate and sell this wonderful wildflower.  We have grown it for years at Hawthorn Hill and appreciate its many qualities.  We do not intend to propagate it ourselves, however.

10 comments:

  1. yes.where can i buy them.

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  2. If you are looking for twinflower - or anything else in Florida, the best place to start is the Plant locator put out by FANN - the Florida Association of Native Nurseries. Look for them online at FANN.org

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  3. FloridaNativeNurseries.org - or PlantRealFlorida.org

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  4. I have found that propagation of this plant simply involves sticking cuttings into the ground.

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  5. Available at Florida Native Plants Nursery: www.floridanativeplants.com

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    1. Brenda is correct, I buy mine there.

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  6. Dyschoriste is not in the Snapdragon family (Plantaginanceae, formerly included in Scrophulariaceae) but the Acanthus family (Acanthaceae).

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  7. Love this little plant. It is not deciduous here in South East Florida. It stays full and lush all year long. We propagate by cuttings and division.

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  8. I have an area where my magnolia tree has caused such shade that grass will not grow between my house and the flower bed where the magnolia is.Would twin flower do well in that area? It says deciduous. But nothing told about it losing it's leaves or dying back. Please explain about that.

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    1. No....... Twin flower will not bloom if not given lots of sunlight. My area now gets shade for half a day and it rarely flowers even under that condition. I have written a book on gardening in the shade - which may help you, but under an evergreen canopy that is also likely on the dry side, you are limited. I'd consider the dwarf form of wild coffee and coontie as green, not-too-tall evergreen plants that will perform and give you some interest - though not a lot of color.

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