Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Prosartes smithii, formerly Disporum smithii, is a species of flowering plant in the Colchicaceae known by the common name largeflower fairybells. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in shady forest and woodland, including forests. It is an erect, branching perennial herb growing up to a meter tall. Its narrow, fuzzy stems bear wide, oval-shaped, pointed leaves up to 12 centimeters long and mostly hairless. The flower cluster produces up to seven drooping, hanging flowers which may be hidden in the cover of the large leaves. The flower is cylindrical to bell-shaped with six white to green-tinged petals each up to 3 centimeters long. The fruit is an oval-shaped orange or red berry just over a centimeter long.

Plant type

Perennial herb, Geophyte

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall

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Color

Cream, White, Orange, Green, Red

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Sun

Deep Shade

Water

Moderate, High

Propagation

For propagating by seed: 2.5 -3 mos. stratification.

Sunset Zones

4*, 5*, 6, 7, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*

Site type

Moist places

Plant communities

Mixed Evergreen Forest, Forest