Keith Nevison of Monticello tells us that Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) is blooming there today! Named in honor of 3rd U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, this woodland native uncommonly occurs from southern Alabama north to Ontario. Grows best in humusy, well-drained, limestone soils in part to full shade. A dressing of mulch goes a long way towards protecting its roots. Twinleaf can be either self-pollinating or pollinated by insects, mostly halictid bees or honey bees. Its seeds are distributed by ants who feed the fleshy elaisosome surrounding the seed to their larvae.
