Chelone glabra
Turtlehead
General
An herbaceous perennial native to North America. It is recognized for its tall spikes of tubular, white flowers that resemble the head of a turtle, blooming in late summer to early fall. White turtlehead thrives in moist to wet soils and is commonly found in wetlands, along stream banks, and in woodland edges, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Turtlehead is the host plant for the endangered Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
Plant Description
A rather small but robust perennial, its conspicuous flowers conjure the resemblance of a turtle’s head. (Chelone means “tortoise” in Greek.) Chelone glabra displays sturdy, upright stems adorned with lance-shaped, glossy green leaves. Its distinctive white flowers are tubular and arranged in dense spikes, resembling the head of a turtle, making it a standout in wetland habitats and garden landscapes alike.
Height (ft)
1-3
Soil moisture
Moist to wet
Soil types
Rich Soils
Wetland indicator
OBL
Shade tolerance
Intermediate, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom color
White
Bloom period
Summer
Drought tolerance
Low
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
Found throughout the entirety of the eastern United States (excluding Florida), and west through Minnesota down through Arkansas.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to the US Forest Service, traditional medicinal uses included creating a tonic from this plant to cure stomach problems as well as being a deworming agent. A salve from the leaves have been used to treat skin inflammation and itching.