Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis)

Honewort is found in rich woods, especially beech-maple forests in most counties of Michigan. It is a member of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae), so it has the typical carrot family umbels of flowers and it also hosts black swallowtail butterflies.

The leaves are compound, having three leaflets with deep veins that are lighter than the rest of the leaf.

Flowers are tiny in a flat umbel, with five petals, five stamens and one pistil. The petals curl inward a bit. Honewort flowers in early summer for about a month. Lots of insects are drawn to the flowers and there are insects including leaf miners that feed on the leaves.

Though this plant is found in rich woodlands that are low in disturbance, it can also be found in disturbed places.

As stated, the flowers are tiny, but the foliage is beautiful and makes a lovey addition to the native woodland garden.

Companion Plants: blue-stemmed goldenrod, columbine, southern fragile fern

Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis)

Michigan Flora web page for statewide distribution: Honewort

Height: 1-3 feet

Bloom Time: June-July

Soil: moist, loamy

Sun: light to medium shade

Plant spacing: 18”

Flower: white

Life cycle: perennial

Family: Apiaceae

Seed source: Michigan