Oconee bells

Shortia galacifolia

''Shortia galacifolia'', the Oconee bells or acony bell, is a rare North American plant in the family Diapensiaceae found in the southern Appalachian Mountains, concentrated in the tri-state border region of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Additional populations have been found in Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, and Massachusetts. ''Shortia galacifolia'' has also been reported in Japan, as have three other species of ''Shortia''.
Oconee Bells - Shortia galacifolia This plant is native to the southeastern US, but some populations have become naturalized in Massachusetts. Habitat: Forest at Garden in the Woods https://www.jungledragon.com/image/78698/oconee_bells_-_shortia_galacifolia.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/78699/oconee_bells_-_shortia_galacifolia.html Geotagged,Oconee bells,Shortia,Shortia galacifolia,Spring,United States,acony bell

Appearance

Creamy-white flowers appear from late March to May. Seedlings appear in late July and early August. This is about 6 weeks after the maturation of the capsule.


Stolons have shallow roots. It prefers loamy soil with some sand and/or clay. It prefers areas where the annual rainfall is 140–200 centimeters . Plants can tolerate bright light for only 2–3 hours per day at midday. The leaves have an orbicular shape with wavy edges plus a heart-shaped base. Seeds are slender and oval, with a light to medium brown color. Young plants are usually within 1.5 meters of mature plants, but have been found as far away as 6 meters . The stalks grow 13–15 centimeters high and the plants prefer shade and soils with a high humus content.
Oconee Bells - Shortia galacifolia This plant is native to the southeastern US, but some populations have become naturalized in Massachusetts. Habitat: Forest at Garden in the Woods https://www.jungledragon.com/image/78696/oconee_bells_-_shortia_galacifolia.html https://www.jungledragon.com/image/78699/oconee_bells_-_shortia_galacifolia.html Geotagged,Oconee bells,Shortia galacifolia,Spring,United States

Habitat

Within its small range, ''S. galacifolia'' is invariably found along rivers and in gorges where the land is sloping and shows evidence of natural or man-made disturbance: mud slides, erosion, trees knocked down by wind, logging, etc. ''Shortia galacifolia'' often forms a dense mat that may prevent seeds of other species from embedding in the soil and germinating. Its decayed vegetative matter may also have a toxic effect on other species. Consequently, it is often found as the only or one of few species of ground cover in a given area. It is found at elevations from 185–625 meters . The pattern of elevation distribution varies widely from one watershed to another.

Tree species and genera commonly associated with ''S. galacifolia'' are: ''Tsuga canadensis'' , ''Betula lenta'' , ''Acer rubrum'' , ''Liriodendron tulipifera'' , ''Liquidambar styraciflua'' , and ''Fagus'' . It is less commonly seen with: ''Quercus prinus'' , ''Quercus alba'' , ''Pinus strobus'' , ''Oxydendrum'' , and ''Robinia'' . Common understory species include ''Rhododendron maximum'' in moister conditions and ''Kalmia latifolia'' in drier conditions.

Several factors have made ''S. galacifolia'' an endemic relict species. It reproduces successfully only in disturbed areas. Light and soil conditions that are beneficial to ''S. galacifolia'' change to its detriment as forest canopy and understory get re-established.

''Shortia galacifolia'' has been successfully cultivated as far north as Grand-Métis, Quebec.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderEricales
FamilyDiapensiaceae
GenusShortia
SpeciesS. galacifolia
Photographed in
United States of America