Overhead View of Pink Turtlehead Blossoming - Chelone glabra

Turtlehead is also known as balmony, bitter herb, codhead, fish mouth, shellflower, snakehead, snake mouth, and turtle bloom. It is part of the Figwort family (Scrophulariacea) and has the scientific name Chelone glabra. In Greek mythology, there was a nymph named Chelone who insulted the gods in punishment, she was turned into a turtle. The flowers of this plant are said to look like the heads of turtles. Glabra is from the Latin word meaning smooth because of the lack of hairs or texture on the stems and leaves. Turtlehead is a perennial found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States. The plant has a square stem with leaves that are opposite, toothed, and narrow. White flowers, often with a pink tinge, appear between mid summer and fall. The flowers are irregular, two-lipped and grow in dense spikes.

View Full Image on Dreamstime

Username: Natureheart

Editorial: No

Width: 3456 pixels

Height: 5184 pixels

Downloads: 0

Image ID: 289114222