Chelone glabra aka Balmony

Chelone glabra, or white turtlehead, is a herbaceous perennial. It belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. Its native range spans central and eastern Canada and the United States. It grows beside streams, in wet woods, and in marshes. Fens and flood plains also provide suitable habitat. The name turtlehead refers to the shape of its flowers.

Plants form upright clumps with stiff, leafy stems. Garden plants reach 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 metres) tall. Some sources give heights up to 3.3 feet (1 metre). Spread ranges from about 1–2.5 feet (0.30–0.76 metres). Rhizomes let the clumps spread at a slow pace. The green stems can be round or square. Dark green leaves have a narrow shape and sharp teeth. They grow in pairs, with each pair turned from the next. Leaf stalks are absent or very short. The leaves lack hairs and fall at season's end.

White flowers may have a light pink tint. Each flower has two lips, with the upper lip arched. Dense racemes grow at the tips of the stems. Flowers open from the base of each cluster upward. Bloom runs from July to October, often starting in August. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit the blooms. The plant also hosts Baltimore checkerspot larvae. Common buckeye larvae use it less often in North Carolina. Oval capsules appear from September to November. They hold flat seeds with broad wings.

Part shade suits this plant, with rich, moist to wet soil. It can take full sun when soil stays wetter. Leaf compost mulch helps the soil hold moisture. Sources list acid, neutral, and alkaline soils as suitable. Hardiness ratings cover USDA zones 3–8 and UK rating H5. Wet borders, rain gardens, and pond edges suit its needs. It also fits woodland, native plant, and pollinator gardens. Pinching spring stem tips makes growth bushier and shorter. Deep shade can cause stems to flop and need support. Seed, spring division, and spring stem-tip cuttings provide new plants.

Care needs are low, and serious pest problems are uncommon. Dry soil or poor airflow can encourage powdery mildew. Rust and fungal leaf spot can also occur. Cut back the stems at the end of the season. PFAF lists no known food uses or hazards. This does not establish that eating the plant is safe. It records folk uses for liver and digestive complaints. The same source notes that these uses lack scientific study.