If you are looking for an easy, lowmaintenance
groundcover, consider
Oblongleaf twinower (Dyschoriste
oblongifolia). This perennial wildower
has an extended bloom period and is
adaptable to a variety of conditions.
It prefers open, sunny areas but can
tolerate shade (although owers won’t
be as profuse). It typically blooms spring
through fall and is commonly found
in dry to moist habitats of sandhills,
atwoods and upland mixed forests
throughout peninsular Florida and into
the central Panhandle. Of the three
native Dyschoriste species, Oblongleaf
twinower is the largest and most
commonly available for purchase.
Twinower is so-named because its
owers are born in pairs (“twins”). It is
also referred to as snakeherb.
Description
Oblongleaf twinower grows to between
6 and 10 inches tall and is spreading.
Its small 1-inch blooms are light-blue to
purple and funnel-shaped, with ve lobed
petals. The lower petal bears dark marks
or streaks that extend into the throat. Each
bloom has four stamens and ve calyces.
Twinower’s simple leaves are linear,
dark green, pubescent and oppositely
arranged on thin stems.
Planting
Twinower forms dense colonies by
underground runners. It is also a prolic
self-seeder and, in the best conditions,
may require regular weeding of seedlings
to keep it under control.
All three native twinower species are
well-suited for life in a hanging basket or
pot. Pay attention to soil moisture levels,
particularly with Swamp twinower, as it
will quickly begin to perish if it dries out.
Seeds
Seeds are not available commercially at
this time.
Plants
Twinower is often available at nurseries
that specialize in native plants. Plants
should be installed 18 to 24 inches apart
as they spread quickly. To propagate,
take stem cuttings or divide clumps in
summer.
Care
In winter, plants are semi-dormant and
can be trimmed or mown to 3 inches to
freshen. Plants will go dormant in areas
that receive frost (usually in North Florida)
but will quickly recover in spring.
Site conditions
Oblongleaf twinower prefers full sun
and well-drained soils. Planting in partial
shade will result in a less dense cover.
Swamp twinower is
acclimated to moist
soils and partially
shady conditions.
Pineland twinower
prefers well-drained
calcaerous or sandy
soils. Once established, it is very drought
tolerant.
One of the best uses for this plant is
as a low groundcover near sidewalks,
walkways or naturalized areas. The plant
spreads by underground rhizomes and by
self-sewn seed. It will ower intermittently
spring through fall. Twinower is not salt
tolerant, making it a poor candidate for
coastal landscapes.
Hardiness zones
Oblongleaf twinower is best suited for
zones 8a–10b.
Other species
Other native twinower species are
Pineland twinower (D. angusta) and
Swamp twinower (D. humistrata). Both
species are rather small compared with
D. oblongifolia. Swamp twinower typically
blooms in spring. It makes an excellent
groundcover and turf replacement in
moist to wet soils and does very well in
shady well-drained soils. It also adapts to
seasonally dry conditions.
Pineland twinower is more common in
South Florida, where it can bloom yearround.
Both Swamp and Pineland twinower
have smaller owers than Oblongleaf
twinower. Swamp twinower’s leaves
are rounder and have a succulent
appearance, while Pineland’s leaves are
linear.
Twinower’s nectar attracts a few
species of butteries, including the
Malachite and White Peacock. It is a
host plant for the Common buckeye.
Look for small pale-green eggs laid
singly on leaves. Common buckeye
caterpillars eat both leaves and
owers and may be seen on the
plants year-round and especially
in fall.
Leafcutter, bumble and honey bees
are also attracted to the ower.
6–10 in
Host, nectar
Photo by Mary Keim
Oblongleaf twinower
Photo by Bob Peterson
Photo by Peg Urban