Tripora divaricata (Maxim.) P.D.Cantino

Bluebeard, blue butterflies

Bluebeard is a perennial native to Japan, Korea, and China. It is the only member of the genus Tripora. It can be grown in many North American climates, and may be a garden escape in some areas. Its showy flowers attract bees, butter­flies, and other desirable insects.

Plants: Plants reach up to 5′ (1.5 m) in height. Stems are covered with fine hairs.

Leaves: Leaves are toothed, ovate to oblong, with a strong, somewhat unpleasant scent, especially when crushed. It has variously been described as “musty,” “pungent,” or even “like rotting fish.”

Flowers: Flowers are blue-purple, occurring in terminal and axial clusters on long, sinuous branched petioles. Each flower has long white curved stamens tipped with yellow anthers, and five lobes, including a prominent bottom lobe that is white with blue spots (or, if you prefer, blue with white spots). Flowers appear from August to September.

Fruits: The base of each flower develops four spherical seed pods, each about 1/16″ (2 mm) in diameter.

Habitats: Well-drained soils with average moisture.

Online References:

Tripora divaricata description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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