Yellow Clintonia

Clintonia borealis

Safety note: Berries are toxic if ingested.

Yellow Clintonia, or bead lily, is a native wildflower of cool northern forests with glossy, lily-like basal leaves and small clusters of yellow-green flowers in spring. The striking blue-black berries in late summer are toxic to humans but eaten by some birds. It is a characteristic plant of hemlock-hardwood forests and indicates undisturbed woodland conditions.

Habitat

Cool moist northern hardwood and hemlock forests across northeastern North America

Diet

Berries occasionally eaten by birds; flowers visited by native bees

How common

Common