Page authors: Ben Legler, David Giblin
Prosartes smithii
Smith's fairy-bells
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California.

Habitat: Open to dense moist woods at lower elevations.

Flowers: April-June

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Description:
General:

Perennial herb with branched stems to 1 meter tall.

Leaves:

Alternate, ovate with pointed tip and rounded base, 6-12 cm long.

Flowers:

White, narrow, 15-28 mm long, with 6 tepals; in hanging clusters of 1-3 at tips of stems.

Fruits:

Soft yellow or orange berries 12-15 mm long.

Identification Notes:

Leaves and stems are glabrous. Stamens are completely hidden within the 15-28 mm long tepals, unlike our other Prosartes species which have exserted stamens and 8-18 mm long tepals. Compare also with Streptopus amplexifolius, which has flowers scattered in leaf axils.

Accepted Name:
Prosartes smithii (Hook.) Utech, Shinwari & Kawano
Publication: Taxon. 43: 364. 1994.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Disporum smithii (Hook.) Piper [HC]
Prosartes menziesii D. Don
Uvularia smithii Hook.
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Prosartes smithii in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Prosartes smithii checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Prosartes smithii information.

E-Flora BC: Prosartes smithii atlas page.

CalPhotos: Prosartes smithii photos.

USDA Plants: Prosartes smithii information.

14 photographs:
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