Chelone glabra L.
Turtlehead, snake-head, turtle-bloom, shellflower, bitter herb, white chelone, white turtlehead
Turtlehead is said to be named for the tortoise-head-like shape of the flowers. Wikipedia says that chelone, the species name, means “tortoise,” and was the name of a nymph who refused to attend the wedding of Zeus and was turned into a turtle as punishment. And here I always believed that it is named for the scaly-looking “neck” that contains developing flower buds. In any case, turtlehead is a North American native.
Plants: 1–3′ (30–91 cm) tall.
Leaves: Lanceolate, up to 6 ⨉ ½″ (15 ⨉ 1.3 cm), with coarsely serrated edges.
Flowers: Flowerheads are attached close to the central stem and a cone-shaped flowerhead on the top up to 3″ (7.6 cm) high. Individual flowers are pale yellow or white, often tinged with pink, 1–1½″ (2.5–3.8 cm) long, looking a bit like a bent tube. On closer inspection, they are two shallow lobes above, and three below; the center lobe is “bearded.” Each flower is bilaterally symmetrical.
Fruits: Oval seed capsules are flattened and broadly winged. Each capsule contains several seeds.
Habitats: Turtleheads are fond of wet areas such as riverbanks.
Medical: In the past, turtlehead has been used to treat indigestion or constipation; as an appetite stimulant, and as an anthimintic. Its leaves have been used to create a lotion for itching.
Online References:
8/15/2010 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 16 cm) 
9/1/2010 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 6″ (11 × 14 cm) 
8/25/2019 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts 
8/28/2013 · Pearl Hill State Park, Townsend, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 5″ (14 × 13 cm) 
8/28/2010 · Lake Messalonskee, Belgrade Lake, Maine · By Constance B. Kent 
9/14/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) 
8/15/2010 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 8″ (29 × 19 cm) 
8/25/2019 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts 
9/7/2010 · New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston, Massachusetts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Lamiales | Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | Plantains |
| Genus | Chelone | Greek for “tortoise” referring to shape of flower to tortoise head |
| Species | glabra | Smooth or hairless |
Chelone glabra description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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