Yellow Sunnybell

Schoenolirion croceum is very localized on limestone outcrops in central Tennessee and northern Alabama, sandstone outcrops of the Alabama plateau region, granite outcrops of the Georgia and Carolina Piedmont, Selma chalk outcrops in western Alabama, and wet pinelands and boggy areas in more southern and western parts of its range. All of these habitats are very wet in spring and often very dry in summer.

Plants with prominent bulbs at tops of vertical rootstocks; bulbs ovoid to elongate, to 17 mm diam. Leaves 3–7, 20–32 cm × 5–8 mm, not withering to persistent fibers; blade flattened or somewhat keeled, usually equaling or exceeding inflorescence, base fleshy. Inflorescences seldom branched; bracts ovate-obtuse to lanceolate-acuminate. Flowers: tepals seldom strongly recurved, yellow, each with green or reddish abaxial stripe, 3–5-veined, ovate to ovate-oblong, 4.5–6 mm, apex obtuse; ovary green or greenish yellow. 2n = 24, 30, 32.

Ala., Fla., Ga., La., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex.

Flowering mid Mar--mid Apr in south and west; Apr--mid May in north; dormant by late Jun.

Rock outcrops, moist pinelands; 0--400m.

Phalangium croceum Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 196. 1803; Oxytria crocea (Michaux) Rafinesque

Schoenolirion croceum, known by the common names yellow sunnybell, sunnybells and swamp candle, is a species of flowering plant in the Agave subfamily. It is native to the Southeastern United States from Texas to North Carolina. It is found on moist rock outcrops and in wet pinelands. It is found in habitats that are very wet in the spring but dry in the summer. In middle Tennessee, it is found in fen-like areas in cedar glades, fed by spring water. Further south, it inhabits wet pine savannas and bogs.

It produces yellow flowers in the spring.