White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra

White turtlehead, a robust perennial, grows 1-4 ft. tall. Its erect stems end in spikes of white flowers, the shape of which suggests a turtlehead. It is a native clump-forming wildflower found in moist areas along stream banks, open woodlands, fens, flood plains and marshes.

A tight cluster of white 1-1.5 in., two-lipped flowers appears at tops of stems from July to October. The upper lip arches over lower lip similar to a snapdragon or turtlehead. Petals can be pink-tinged.

This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It also supports Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton).

Turtlehead and Joe Pye weed both appeared spontaneoulsy and next to one another at the edge of our wetlands the year following Privet removal.