CHELONE obliqua

Turtle Head

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Type:

Perennial
Height: 2' (60cm)
Flowering Time: Summer, autumn
Flower Colour: Pink
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Botanical Classification:

Class:

Angiospermae (Angiosperms)
Subclass: Dicotyledonae (Dicotyledons)
Superorder: Asteridae (Daisy Superorder)
Order: Scrophulariales (Figwort Order)
Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Genus: Chelone (Turtle Head)
Species: obliqua (with unequal sides)
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Chelone obliqua is a useful perennial for damp situations, particularly because of its late-flowering period. It produces strong stems with crinkled nettle-like leaves, topped in late summer by fat pink buds which are supposed to resemble the head of a turtle, giving the plant its common name. These open only slightly to make a little pouting mouth.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

Seed Pod

The seed pod is rounded.

Seed

The seeds are flat papery discs with a darker middle. There are many seeds in a pod.

Seedling

The seedling has flimsy toothed leaves.

Seed sowing and Germination

Autumn: Seeds sown outside in autumn or winter germinated in 64-134 days.

(You can check the meaning of any technical terms new to you in the Botany section of the site)

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