Clasping Venus's Looking Glass
Triodanis perfoliata
Also listed as Legousia perfoliata, Specularia perfoliata
Also known as Clasping Venus' Looking-glass, Claspingleaf Venus'-looking-glass
Climate Match for your location
See how well Clasping Venus's Looking Glass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A delicate native annual wildflower with small purple or blue flowers and distinctive clasping leaves that encircle the stem. It thrives in dry, open areas and self-seeds readily in disturbed soils.
Why grow it
Clasping Venus's looking glass offers a low-maintenance option for naturalizing in poor, compacted soils where many ornamentals struggle. Its delicate flowers and fine texture provide visual interest in spring without demanding irrigation or soil amendment, making it useful for erosion control or filling gaps in early-season pollinator gardens. Compared to related Specularia species, Triodanis perfoliata tolerates drier conditions and tends to establish more readily from direct seeding in existing disturbed areas.
Watch out for
Because this species self-seeds readily, monitor its spread in managed beds if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings in subsequent years. The plants are small and can be easily overlooked or accidentally removed during early weeding, so mark seeded areas clearly if appearance matters during establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Campanulaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate native annual wildflower with small purple or blue flowers and distinctive clasping leaves that encircle the stem. It thrives in dry, open areas and self-seeds readily in disturbed soils.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Clasping Venus's Looking Glass grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Clasping Venus's looking glass offers a low-maintenance option for naturalizing in poor, compacted soils where many ornamentals struggle. Its delicate flowers and fine texture provide visual interest in spring without demanding irrigation or soil amendment, making it useful for erosion control or filling gaps in early-season pollinator gardens. Compared to related Specularia species, Triodanis perfoliata tolerates drier conditions and tends to establish more readily from direct seeding in existing disturbed areas.
Watch out for
Because this species self-seeds readily, monitor its spread in managed beds if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings in subsequent years. The plants are small and can be easily overlooked or accidentally removed during early weeding, so mark seeded areas clearly if appearance matters during establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Campanulaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.