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Hexastylis virginica (Linnaeus) Small. Common name: Virginia Heartleaf. Phenology: Apr-Jun. Habitat: Upland forests. Distribution: A relatively widespread species, occurring throughout NC and VA, extending west into WV, e. KY, and ne. TN (Chester, Wofford, & Kral 1997); alleged to have also been collected in 1897 in Putnam County, FL (ne. FL) (Wunderlin & Hansen 2015).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: H. memmingeri, a taxon close to H. virginica, with the calyx very small (< 1.5 cm long), narrowly cylindro-urceolate, and the calyx lobes very short (ca. 2 mm long) will key here. Gaddy does not recognize it, considering it a small form of H. virginica, but it may warrant taxonomic status. It is known from NC, VA, and WV, in the Piedmont and Mountains.

Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA3, K4, NS, RAB, Tn, Va, W, Blomquist (1957), Gaddy (1987a); = Asarum virginicum L. — POWO, Gaddy (1986) et al. (1987); > Asarum memmingeri Ashe — F, WV; > Asarum virginicum L. — WV; >< Asarum virginicum L. — F; > Hexastylis memmingeri (Ashe) Small — S; < Hexastylis virginica (L.) Small — C, G, H. heterophylla, H. minor; > Hexastylis virginica (L.) Small — S. Basionym: Asarum virginicum L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Hexastylis virginica - FNA3

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
  • Midwest: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 2

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image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Ann Walter-Fromson | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Low-growing, stemless, rhizomatous perennial found in mesic to dry upland forests, usually on extremely acidic soils.

Stems:

Leaves: Leaves on stalks arising directly from the rhizome, heart-shaped, 1-3 in. long, glossy-evergreen, usually variegated; they release a spicy smell when torn.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers arise from the rhizome on such short stalks that they are often hidden beneath leaf litter. They are mottled maroon-brown; tubular and urn-shaped; slightly flared toward the opening, with 3 widely triangular, erect to ascending lobes; fleshy-firm and prominently reticulate-ridged within the tube.

Fruits: Fruit a round, fleshy capsule.

Comments:

Height: 4-8 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Low-growing, stemless, rhizomatous perennial found in mesic to dry upland forests, usually on extremely acidic soils.

stems:

leaves: Leaves on stalks arising directly from the rhizome, heart-shaped, 1-3 in. long, glossy-evergreen, usually variegated; they release a spicy smell when torn.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers arise from the rhizome on such short stalks that they are often hidden beneath leaf litter. They are mottled maroon-brown; tubular and urn-shaped; slightly flared toward the opening, with 3 widely triangular, erect to ascending lobes; fleshy-firm and prominently reticulate-ridged within the tube.

fruits: Fruit a round, fleshy capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: southeastern United States



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