Ontario Wildflowers website

Turtlehead
Chelone glabra

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) Other common names: White Turtlehead

Family: Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae), (Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae))

Similar species:
  •   Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

  •   Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

Flowers: White

Height: 30-90 cm (11-35 in)

Habitat: Wet Areas

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 94   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: glabra: smooth


Photographs: 139 photographs available, of which 18 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead flowers.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead flowers from above.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Flowers, buds (above), and spent flowers (below).

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Spent flowers falling off.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Closeup of a flower, showing how this plant got its common name (Turtlehead).

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Closeup of a flower from below.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead plant.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead leaf.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead flower stalk just emerging.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Flower buds.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Spent seed capsules in winter. Note the stream in the background - Turtlehead like to grow in wet areas.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Nice photo of opened seed capsule in late fall, early winter. This photo was taken in mid November.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)


Range map for Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)