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Great Merrybells, synonym Large-flowered Bellwort (
Uvularia grandiflora), is another plant some gardeners like to purchase at specialty nurseries selling wildflowers. So imagine my surprise when I happened upon them the first time on a walk in the local forest. Often two or three of these drooping yellow flowers grow on each stem, growing in clumps. They are connected by rhizomes (underground roots).
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Believe it or not, young shoots are also reported to be edible when the leaves are stripped off and boiled like asparagus. I wouldn't know though. I've never eaten them!
Native Americans used the rhizomes in an infusion to relieve backache and to massage sore muscles after a long day in the woods gathering firewood. (Some days I could use that after a long walk in the woods!) They also used the infusion as a poultice to relieve toothaches.
6 comments:
Unusual looking! I wonder if it really works on a toothache.
Strange looking with all the drooping flowers!
I think that would be a most useful plant to own or plant. Besides all of the reasons for aches and pains, it is just flat out beautiful.
I haven't seen that flower before, it's quite unusual... and rather lovely too!
I have to agree will Abes comment on this... I would be tempted to cook some.
Very beautiful. I haven't seen that one. MB
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