Venus Looking Glass

Venus Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata)

       This beautiful, but weedy or invasive plant in some areas, is found widely across the United States.
       A native of the United States the Venus Looking Glass blooms from May to July and produces blue/violet flowers up to 3/4 inch in diameter which are found in pairs, along the twenty four inch tall stem. The leaves, up to an inch long, are clasping and alternate.
       The common name, Venus Looking Glass, comes from the European species name, Legousia speculum-veneris. Veneris meaning Venus and speculum meaning mirror or looking glass, which is a reference to it's shiny black seeds.
       The European plant, Legousia speculum-veneris, not the same plant as the native Triodanis perfoliata, has been imported and is now found in several states.