Help: Acony Bell

Subject: Acony Bell
From: Sourdough
Date: 14 May 00 - 04:41 PM

There is a lovely song written by Welch and Rawlings called "Acony Bell". It is about "The fairest flower the mountain knows". Apparently it grows during the early spring and pops up through the snow like a snowbell or a crocus.

I felt funny singing a song that I don't have some particular knowedge of the subject and started this thread to ask if anyone knew this flower. I tried looking it up on the Internet and only found references to the song, not the flower. While I was writing this message, I gave it one more try and discovered the reason I couldn't find it was that it is actually known as "oconee bell".

Here is what I found: "This is a rare flower of the southern Appalachians found only in a few locations in the mountains of NC, SC and GA., in moist woods along streams. Though it has a very limited range in the wild it grows well in gardens and is commercially available."

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Help: Acony Bell
From: Dale Rose
Date: 14 May 00 - 04:59 PM

Gee and I thought everyone called it Shortia Galacifolia. Seriously, I tried to find a picture, but gave up after about 10 or 15 sites. Didn't want to see it that bad. "(Shortia galacifolia) Also called Oconee-Bells, it is grown primarily as an evergreen ground cover. The one-inch flowers, which may be white or pink, resemble flared bells. Shortia is rare in the wild. Perennial." I did find that it is not technically endangered, at least not in Swain County, North Carolina. They call it "A Federal species of concern--a species that may or may not be listed in the future." I also saw them referred to as SOUTHERN oconee bells.

Subject: RE: Help: Acony Bell
From: Dharmabum
Date: 14 May 00 - 05:55 PM

I've never seen the flower but I just saw Gillian & David at Merlefest. Acony Bell is a sweet song. I picked up both of their CDs & have been listening to them every chance I get. So far, almost every one of their songs is on my gotta learn list. Ron.

Subject: RE: Help: Acony Bell
From: Sourdough
Date: 14 May 00 - 06:00 PM

I found a picture!

I don't know how to do BCTs but if you are up to a little cutting and pasting: here 'tis:

http://ncnatural.com/wildflwr/oconebell.html

Sourdough