Oconee Bells
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
January 31, 2019 1:51pm CST
Some books give you tidbits of knowledge you didn't know you needed.
Have you heard of the Oconee Bell? It is a flower that blooms around the Tristate area of NC, SC and Georgia. You might find it in other areas of North America, but it would be quite a rare occurrence.
You are more likely to come across this in deep shaded areas. Around Gorges and along the banks of streams are the best place for it to grow.
The Oconee Bells bloom in Spring, a beautiful white to pink (though the picture I've seen look more like a light lilac).
I came across this when reading A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House. I really should try to finish that soon.
Want to learn more about the Oconee Bell?
Carolina Nature Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina Help Save the Oconee Bells in North Carolina! The largest known population of North Carolina's endemic Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia var. brevistyla) is up for sale. Please help the N.C.
8 people like this
8 responses
@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 19
Knowing the possibilities that lurk near rivers (Cotton mouths) I would not go anywhere near them. I am even freaking out just writing it down!
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
31 Jan 19
Anything that slithers is a defiite no for me. Even the timid garden snake.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
31 Jan 19
I must ask my daughter if she has every heard of it. That is her area of expertise... but I don't remember her ever talking about the plant!!
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
31 Jan 19
It would be interesting to know if she has heard of it. I certainly never have, and I live in one of the States where it can be found.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Feb 19
@Hate2Iron It appears to only be a Regional thing.. though I do wonder if it was ever transplanted and thrives forgotten somewhere else.
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
2 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum At the table last night I asked her and she said that she had never heard of it... which surprised me. I guess that it wouldn't grow with our conditions up here!
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Jan 19
Such a delicate flower. I am clear over on the other side of the states. Don't think we have that here.
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Jan 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum ........I may have too along the road side or something.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
31 Jan 19
Not unless someone has transplanted them. I can't say as I have ever seen one of these out anywhere. I may have and just didn't know it was so rare.
1 person likes this
@Debscrochet (1947)
• United States
3 Feb 19
Never heard of them. Funny how a plant stays in a certain area like that.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
3 Feb 19
I guess it's all about the climate. It won't grow in sunnier areas so it doesn't have much chance to spread.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
1 Feb 19
Ah yes, sorry I mean to infer that it only grows in North America.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502204)
• Italy
1 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum They are very nice flowers, I have seen some photos.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
31 Jan 19
I hadn't either. It is a pretty flower though.
Have you heard of a flower called Dutchman's Breeches?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208761)
• United States
31 Jan 19
I never heard of it, but a precious and fragile flower should be preserved.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
31 Jan 19
I am sure there are plenty of these type of flowers in the US. Precious flowers that are rare because of their location or because of man's impact on the environment. I've not see any of these, atleast not that I know of.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
1 Feb 19
Very pretty, but I don't think we have those in eastern NC.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
1 Feb 19
I havent' seem them in the Piedmont. I figure they grow closer to the mountains
1 person likes this
