Uvularia is a
genus of plants in the family
Colchicaceae, close to the
lily family (
Liliaceae). They are commonly called
bellworts,
bellflowers or
merrybells. The genus name is derived from the Latin
uvula meaning "little grape," likely because of the way the flowers hang downward. For the same reason
Uvularia may also refer to the similarly derived
palatine uvula, which hangs down from the
soft palate in the mouth. This unusual flower is found in April and May, often on wooded slopes or in ravines and it spreads by
stolons, or stoloniferous rhizomes. The plants are usually 18 to 24 inches (45–60 cm) in height and bear one or two flowers which hang downward from the axils of the leaves.