The american globeflowers in my garden ceased blooming a week or two ago, but just now I’ve had a chance to put pen to paper. I find the distribution of this plant quite curious – there is a distinct western population, and a population in a few eastern states (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio). Some sources tell of these being distinct sub species, but if that is the case, where is the plant that ties them across the continent? Does the distribution have something to do with the last glaciation period (Trollius laxus prefers soils derived from glacial materials)? If that is the case, then the Cape Cod woodland garden should be a good spot, even though the plant is not native here. In the wild this plant is pretty rare: Jones (2001) states that there are approximately 40 known occurrences of this species in eastern North America. Most of these occurrences have less than 100 individuals, and almost all have less than 1000 individuals.
Trollius laxus prefers wet woods and meadows, and can survive in deep shade. It will need sunlight to produce flowers and seed. The plant can also grow small colonies from rhizomes.
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