Seeds: Chelone glabra, white turtlehead

Seed sowing instructions

C(120) = Chelone glabra seeds need at least 120 days of cold moist stratification prior to sowing.
M = Best results when seed sown outdoors in the fall for a natural winter.
You can find more information about how to sow native seeds HERE.

Plant information

Chelone glabra has many common names, including white turtlehead, blamony, bitter herb, codhead, fish mouth, shellflower, snakehead, just to name a few.

By some of these names you may get a sense of what this plant resembles! The shape of the white flower heads is reminiscent of a turtle’s head and a clump of them sit atop a tall, strong stem.

This plant is best grown in moist soils that receive plenty of sun and prefers a humus mulch of leaf litter. The sturdy nature of the flower petals make this a favorite nectar source for bumblebees, as these burly insects have the mass and strength to open the blossoms and reach the nectar inside.

The White Turtlehead is a host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, which, while beautiful in itself, has one of the coolest looking chrysalis around.

seeds: Chelone glabra (White turtlehead)

Name: seeds: Chelone glabra (White turtlehead)
SKU: SEED-CHE-GLA

$4.75

Quantity

Only 9 left in stock

packet	30 seeds
stratification code	C(120), M

type:	herbaceous perennial
sun needs:	full sun, part sun/part shade
water needs:	Wet to moist soil
height:	2-4'
plant spacing:	1/sq ft
bloom time:	July, August, September, October
bloom color:	white

A	Seed should germinate when sown in a warm location.
B	Hot water treatment: Bring water to a boil, remove from heat, pour over seeds, and soak for 24 hours.. Generally this is for seed with a thick seedcoat.
C	(# of days of cold moist stratification) Seeds germinate after a period of cold, moist stratification. Mix seeds with a handful of damp vermiculite or clean sand (moist—but not wet). Place mixture in a sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator, NOT the freezer.
D	Sow on the surface of the soil. Generally these seeds are very small.
E	These seeds need a 60-90 day warm, moist period followed by a 60-90 day cold, moist period.
F	These seeds need a 60-90 day cold, moist period followed by a 60-90 day warm, moist period followed by a 2nd cold, 60-90 day moist period.
G	Highest germination rate in cool soil.
H	Seeds need scarification: One way this can be achieved is to rub the seed between two sheets of sand paper. If code "C" is also called for, scarify first.
I	Legume Inoculant (more info next year).
J	Legume seeds (more info next year).
K	Parasitic species which needs a host plant.
L	Plant fresh seed or keep seed moist.
M	Best results when seed sown outdoors in the fall for a natural winter.

October 1: Seeds sales begin and will be available for purchase:

in-person OR

online with in-person pickup OR

online with shipping within New England.

Please choose the delivery method at checkout.

Seeds arrive in a curbside-recyclable padded envelope (no plastic).

Note: New species will become available each day over the first week or two.

Species listed as "local ecotype" are collected ethically from Ecoregion 59 and grown out for sale.

seeds: Chelone glabra (White turtlehead)

details

Stratification Codes

Seed Calendar

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