Table of Contents
Largeflower bellwort (uvularia grandiflora) is limited for human uses, but this is a wonderful plant for spring pollinators, so I had to bump it up the list.
Large-flowered or largeflower bellwort (uvularia grandiflora) is common in deciduous woods on rich leafy hummus. I see it along trail sides in deciduous woods, and more and more the deeper into the woods I go. It’s easily to confuse with solomon’s plume AKA false solomon’s seal and related lookalikes before flowering. Large-flowered bellwort is related to crocuses, which are native to the other side of the word; I’d love to see this native takeover the spring crocus trend here!

Edible Uses of Large Bellwort
The emerging spring shoots are edible raw or cooked, as are early spring’s tender green stem tips. However, as one of our earliest bumble bee food sources, I’d recommend passing on this one unless you’ve created a huge patch to experiment with.
I also recommend creating a huge patch to experiment with. Watching bees go in and out of the flowers as pictured above was one of my favourite moments in my first decade in Haliburton!
Medicinal Uses of Largeflower Bellwort
Largeflower bellwort is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Integumentary
- Muscular
Medicinal tags include Analgesic. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage includes the root in a poultice for soreness, boils, swellings, etc.

Growing Uvularia Grandiflora
Merrybells are an easy to grow native perennial wildflower. Like many wild flowers, ants plant the seeds. And many types of bees will nectar on it and collect its pollen. I love taking pictures of bumblebee bottoms sticking out of the bell-like flowers in the springtime.

They like shade to partial shade and rich, moist and well drained soils. A little dryness is tolerable.
You can divide clumps in spring or fall, or sow the ripe seeds late summer.
They pair well with Christmas fern, Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) and squirrel corn, Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), and Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). If you love its “droopy” look, ninebark is a shrub to look into too! I sometimes describe plants like fleabane as “shabby chic”, and bellwort has that sort of twist to it, but it blooms earlier.
This is one of the many wild plants that will seriously decline where deer are overpopulated. If you’re in downtown Halliburton you may wants some protection around them!
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
*Note for some reason Sam’s book page on this plant is listed as Uvularia grandiflorum instead of grandiflora.
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/4597?lang=en
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/lf_bellwort.htm