© Susan Elliott, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Overview
Medeola spp. is a monotypic genus in the lily family (Liliaceae), made up of the single species M. virginiana, the Indian cucumber-root, a woodland perennial of eastern North America. Slender, unbranched stems rise 12–30 in (30–75 cm) and carry one or two tiers of whorled leaves, with five to nine pointed leaves in the lower whorl and a smaller upper whorl of three to five. From beneath the upper whorl, small nodding flowers with strongly recurved greenish-yellow tepals open in late spring and early summer. These are followed by dark blue-purple berries held above the upper leaves, often subtended by red-tinted bracts. The plant grows from a short, white, brittle rhizome that smells and tastes of cucumber, the source of its common name. It grows in cool, moist, acidic woodland soils rich in leaf litter under dappled to full shade. Plants are slow to establish and spread gradually by rhizome and seed. Foliage dies back in autumn and the plant overwinters underground. It is uncommon to locally frequent in undisturbed forest and is intolerant of disturbance and dry, compacted soils.
Native Range
Medeola virginiana is native to eastern North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Florida and Louisiana. It grows in moist, acidic deciduous and mixed woodland.Suggested Uses
Grown in native woodland and shade gardens, fern beds, and naturalistic plantings on moist, acidic soil. It suits restoration of eastern forest understory alongside trilliums and Solomon's seal. It is grown as a woodland groundcover for its tiered foliage and dark berries.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, usually May to June. The small nodding flowers have strongly recurved greenish-yellow tepals and long reddish styles, drawing small woodland insects. Dark blue-purple berries ripen by late summer above red-tinted upper leaves.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight