Twinleaf – Jeffersonia diphylla
(Berberidaceae)
Twinleaf is a clumping, herbaceous perennial that develops to 1.5 feet in height. The name Twinleaf refers to the attractive foliage of the plant; upright petioles that bear bi-laterally symmetrical leaflets that look very much like the open wings of a butterfly. The foliage, which emerges a light violet in early spring, quickly matures to a deep blue-green. Beautiful, white, 8-petaled flowers open with the foliage, yet within one or two days, pass to make way for the developing fruits.
The pollinated flowers of Twinleaf develop intriguing, lidded, urn-shaped fruits reminiscent of tiny trash bins. When mature a fissure opens near the top of the fruit to release the dark brown seeds to the soil below. The seeds bear elaiosomes, (fat-rich tissues that are especially attractive to ants) which provide an energy rich reward in exchange for the dispersal duties of ants.
Twinleaf is a great selection for massing in the woodland garden or as a specimen in a mixed border in cool shade. The foliage harmonizes with many of our native woodland perennials and serves as an exceptional and luxurious ground cover. Twinleaf prefers moist soils with a pH slightly acid to neutral.
Twinleaf grows in rich forests, showing a preference for limestone-derived soils, from southern Ontario and western New York south to Tennessee and Northern Alabama.
Native Plant Spotlight
Eastern Red Cedar
Winterberry
Sweetfern
Northern Catalpa
Fothergilla
Eastern Prickly Pear
Franklinia
Poison Ivy
Twin Leaf
Mayapple
Marsh Marigold
Alternate-leaved Dogwood
Beach Pea
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