Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic if ingested (can cause mild GI upset).

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Chelone glabra
White Turtlehead
Galane glabre

Synonyms

snakehead

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: Aug - Oct
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture wet Tolerates wet soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

White Turtlehead has upright stems and unusual white, snapdragon-like flowers that resemble turtle heads. It blooms from late summer into fall. It naturally grows in wet meadows, marshes, stream edges, and moist woodlands. It prefers consistently moist soil. Its upright habit makes it excellent for damp perennial borders. It requires reliable moisture for best growth. It forms clumps and can be divided in spring. Avoid dry locations.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Chelone glabra
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Chelone glabra

Specialized Bees Supported by Chelone glabra

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush)
  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
  • Iris (Iris Cultivars)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by January
  • Stratification duration: 90 days

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: November
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown and slightly open
  • Harvesting:
    • Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Toxic if ingested (can cause mild GI upset).