Twinleaf was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson by botanist Benjamin Smith Barton in the late 18th century. Jefferson was a passionate gardener and plant enthusiast.
Its common name, Twinleaf, comes from the paired leaf lobes that resemble butterfly wings, giving it a distinctive appearance among woodland plants.
Indigenous people traditionally used Twinleaf for treating urinary ailments and as a poultice for injuries. However, it’s not widely used today due to potential toxicity.
Twinleaf is notoriously slow to mature. Plants can take 4–6 years to flower from seed and require very specific woodland conditions.
While the bloom lasts just a day or two, the plant itself can live for decades in the right environment.
Twinleaf was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson by botanist Benjamin Smith Barton in the late 18th century. Jefferson was a passionate gardener and plant enthusiast.
Its common name, Twinleaf, comes from the paired leaf lobes that resemble butterfly wings, giving it a distinctive appearance among woodland plants.
Indigenous people traditionally used Twinleaf for treating urinary ailments and as a poultice for injuries. However, it’s not widely used today due to potential toxicity.
Twinleaf is notoriously slow to mature. Plants can take 4–6 years to flower from seed and require very specific woodland conditions.
While the bloom lasts just a day or two, the plant itself can live for decades in the right environment.
Bloom time: mid- to late spring
Habitats: rich woods
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: mesic
Plant type (height): forb (4 to 18 inches)
Requirements: partial sun
Soil: rich, moist but well-drained soil with plenty of humus
