Tiarella cordifolia L.
Detail
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Botanical Name
- Tiarella cordifolia L.
- Common Name
- Foamflower
- Synonym(s)
- Tiarella stolonifera Nesom
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Tiarella cordifolia L..
- Comments
- The current map includes collection records of both var. cordifolia and var. collina Wherry. Although differing in several characters, these taxa are readily distinguished by habit in the field, with var. collina forming discreet clumps and lacking the stoloniferous habit so typical of var. cordifolia. Additionally, the two are quite distinct geographically, with var. cordifolia nearly restricted to the mountains and var. collina occurring primarily east of the mountains. Provisional distribution maps are also provided for these vars., based on Nesom’s revision of the genus (Phytoneuron 31: 1-61, July 2021). This paper argues that these vars. and several others merit species status. Var. austrina Lakela, based on more elongate terminal lobe on leaf and only shallowly toothed compared with the typical variety, was mapped in far sw. Virginia in Amer. J. Bot, 1937, but a supporting specimen has not been seen and the record seems well out of range based on Nesom (2021).
- Habitat
- Overall the species occurs in cove forests, mesic to dry-mesic slope forests, well-drained alluvial forests, and crevices of shaded rock outcrops. It favors, but is not entirely restricted to, more base-rich soils. It is frequent in the southern parts of the mountains and Piedmont, becoming more spotty in distribution northward. See the individual varietal maps for more details.
- Native Status
- Native
To save this map, right-click (control-click for Mac users) on the map and choose "Save Image As...".