Woodland Pinkroot
ExplorePlants
Woodland Pinkroot
spigelia marilandica
The Woodland Pinkroot has beautiful pink flowers that attract butterflies! It grows in shady spots of the forest and is fun to spot among the green leaves.
Habitat: Woodland areas with rich, moist soil, often near streams or shaded spots.
Appearance
The Woodland Pinkroot has striking, upright clusters of tubular, red-orange flowers with bright yellow insides that create a vibrant contrast. Its lance-shaped, dark green leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems. This combination makes it stand out in shady woodland areas.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyLoganiaceaeGenusSpigelia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
15
Interesting facts
Despite its beauty, eating any part of this plant can make you very, very sick!
Hummingbirds love to visit its vibrant red-orange flowers for a sweet sip of nectar.
It's the only species of its kind, *Spigelia*, found naturally in the United States!
Its seeds can be flung several feet away when the seed pods burst open!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Beacon
Woodland Pinkroot has bright red, tubular flowers that act like a beacon, guiding pollinators straight to its sweet nectar.
Ability
Explosive Seeds
This plant can launch its seeds away from itself when pods burst, helping them find new places to grow.
Ability
Chemical Defense
Woodland Pinkroot contains special chemicals in its roots that make it taste bad or even toxic, deterring hungry animals.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Spread
- 30-45 cm
- Flower Size
- 2.5-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen from its bright flowers.
pollinates
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Sips nectar from its tubular red blooms.
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Gathers pollen and nectar from the flowers.
Traits
Perennial
Perennial plants live for more than two years, typically returning to grow and bloom each year from their roots.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Indian PinkMaryland PinkrootSpigelia
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Woodland Pinkroot?
The easiest way to identify Woodland Pinkroot is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Woodland Pinkroot?
30-60 cm
How wide does Woodland Pinkroot spread?
30-45 cm
How big are the flowers on Woodland Pinkroot?
2.5-5 cm
When does Woodland Pinkroot bloom?
Spring to summer
Is Woodland Pinkroot edible?
No
Is Woodland Pinkroot toxic?
Moderate
What is Woodland Pinkroot's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
May 3, 2026
Brierfield Furnacei
Photo attribution
(c) Darrell Ragland, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
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