Monday, April 29, 2013

Swamp Twinflower - Dyschoriste humistrata




Swamp twinflower (Dyschoriste humistrata) is a wetland relative of the nearly ubiquitous upland twinflower (D. oblongifolia). Unlike its close cousin, swamp twinflower is confined to the peninsula, from the Georgia border to DeSoto County in the south-central region.  Here, it occurs mostly in the partially shaded edges of forested wetlands.  This twinflower has also been reported in Georgia and South Carolina.
Swamp twinflower is a deciduous perennial. It emerges in early spring and produces a large number of weak decumbent stems.  Each reaches a length of several feet and and they root in various places as they touch moist soil. The deep green almost-succulent leaves are opposite each other on the stem, somewhat ovoid in shape, and about 1/2 inch long.  The foliage is attractive and the plant's habit makes it an interesting ground cover for somewhat shady and moist locations.
Flowering can occur in most months, but is most common from late spring to early summer.  The flowers are a pale lavender with a deeper lavender throat.  They are less showy than those of its more common cousin and smaller; typically half the length of D. oblongifolia.
Swamp twinflower has never been offered, to my knowledge, by anyone associated with FANN - the Florida Association of Native Nurseries, though it has potential as a flowering ground cover if planted in the right location.  Use it in partly sunny to mostly shady locations where the soil maintains some moisture.  I am told that it has good tolerance for occasional drought, but it won't persist if not kept frequently moist. We are currently experimenting with swamp twinflower at Hawthorn Hill.  As we learn more about its adaptability, we will keep you posted.

6 comments:

  1. 2020 They have some at Indian Trails Nursery In Lake Worth

    ReplyDelete
  2. Someone gave me some a while back and it grows very nicely in the less sunny areas. It shares the space with sensitive mimosa, which likes the sunnier part of the bed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. They have it at Amelia's SmartyPlants in Lake Worth

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was introduced to the FANN trade in 2013 by Maple Street Natives Nursery.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wilcox Nursery in Pinellas County carries these and they have performed beautifully as a Groundcover here in St. Pete. Definitely best with some amount of shade to keep the soil moist, but has surprised me with its drought tolerance. If kept somewhat moist, it can take full sun, no doubt! Thanks for the info (from almost 9 years ago!).

    ReplyDelete

Please let me know if this site and the various postings have been useful to you.