New England Plant Conservation Program Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray Devil's Bit Conservation and Research Plan for New England Prepared by: Dorothy J. Allard, Ph.D. Analytical Resources, L.L.C. P. O. Box 279 East Montpelier, VT 05651 For: New England Wild Flower Society 180 Hemenway Road Framingham, MA 01701 508/877-7630 e-mail:
[email protected] • website: www.newfs.org Approved, Regional Advisory Council, May 2003 SUMMARY Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray is a dioecious perennial in the Liliaceae, and is the only species in its genus. It occurs in 24 eastern states and was once known from southern Ontario. It is common near the center of its range, but rare on its western and northern boundaries. In New England, it occurs in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where it is at the northern edge of its range. At one time more commonplace, now only 11 populations in the two states remain, and several of these have very few individuals. Chamaelirium luteum has a basal rosette of leaves and a single flowering stalk with either male or female flowers. Flowers are white or greenish white; male flowers fade to yellow. Occasional plants can be found with a few perfect flowers at the base of the male inflorescence, a condition called polygamo-monoecy. Although it has a wide habitat tolerance, Chamaelirium luteum typically grows on slopes of any aspect in open, mesic, rich hardwood forests, or in wet meadows. It requires partially open conditions in order to flower, but persists for years as vegetative rosettes in more shaded situations.