PlantFiles: Twinleaf
Jeffersonia dubia

This is an exquisite little woodland plant from Japan.
It likes humus rich, acidic soil in a shady place with plenty of leaf mould that is not allowed to dry out and are recommended for growing in a peat bed as they resent disturbance and should not have other plants encroaching upon them.
Propogation is best from seed, which should be gathered and sown as soon as ripe.
The flowers appear when the leaves are only half unfurled. Thes leaves are purple-tinged while developing, but become green after the flowers are shed.
The whole effect is very pleasing.
There is also a white flowered form.