Chelone (Turtlehead) is a genus of plants in the family Plantaginaceae, comprising four species. It is a perennial herbaceous plants, native to eastern North America. All the four species have flowers that resemble the head of a turtle looking up the sky, but vary in color from white to red, purple or pink.
Chelone is grown for its tubular flowers, which are borne on erect stems in late summer. It is a clump-forming plants, tolerant of a range of conditions, which are spread by underground runners, and can be used as a groundcover where the soil is moist.
Chelone glabra (White turtlehead) is usually found in wetlands and riparian forests. It is native to Eastern North America. It has opposite, simple leaves, borne on stout, upright stems. In late summer or early autumn, white flowers are borne. C. glabra is food plant for the sawflies Macrophya nigra, and Tenthredo grandis.
Chelone obliqua 60 x 30 cm, has leaves that are dark green with noticeable veins. It bears dark pink to mauve purple, tubular flowers with a yellow beard on red-tinged stems, followed by round seeheads.
Chelone do best in sun or partial shade, and in moisture-retentive soil. Propagations are by seed in early spring, divide in spring; tip cuttings in lte spring or early summer. Pests are slugs and snails.
Chelone glabra http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelone_glabra_0003.JPG H. Zell
Chelone glabra http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelone_glabra_05.jpg Michael Wolf
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelone_glabra_0003.JPG
H. Zell
