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Rubiaceae
Houstonia

not marked as a favorite taxon Houstonia purpurea Linnaeus. Common name: Summer Bluet, Mountain Bluet. Phenology: May-Jul; Jul-Aug. Habitat: Moist and dry woodlands and forests, thinner soils around rock outcrops, and in a variety of disturbed sites, such as paths, old roads, and roadbanks. Distribution: DE, MD, and s. PA west to s. OH, s. IL, and sw. MO south to SC, sw. GA, Panhandle FL, MS, s. LA, e. TX, and e. OK.

Glossary (beta!)

ID notes: Plants growing in high elevation and exposed sites are sometimes somewhat dwarfed, and in that respect only, superficially resemble H. montana.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = F, Mi, S, Tat; = Hedyotis purpurea (L.) Torr. & A.Gray var. purpurea; = Houstonia purpurea L. var. purpurea — Ar, G, K4, NY, Pa, Tn, Va, WV, Terrell (1959), Terrell (1991), Terrell (1996); < Hedyotis purpurea (L.) Torr. & A.Gray — C, Rogers (1987); < Houstonia purpurea L. — Fl5, Il, Mo3, RAB, Tx, W, WH3; Houstonia purpurea L. Basionym: Houstonia purpurea L. 1753

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Heliophily ⓘ: 5

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image #1 of Houstonia purpurea© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Houstonia purpurea© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Houstonia purpurea© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Houstonia purpurea© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Houstonia purpurea© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Houstonia purpurea© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image #7 of Houstonia purpurea© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image #10 of Houstonia purpurea© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #12 of Houstonia purpurea© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
image #14 of Houstonia purpurea© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect perennial of moist and dry woodlands and forests, road banks, thinner soils around rock outcrops and a variety of disturbed sites.

Stems: Stems 4-angled and narrowly winged, often furry.

Leaves: Leaves opposite (basal rosette barely evident at flowering), oval to lance-shaped, sessile, 1/2-1 1/2 in. long, with 3-7 noticeable veins and hairy at least along the veins.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in small branching clusters at stem top or from upper axils; pale purple to white; to 1/4 in. long; funnel-shaped with 4 spreading, pointed corolla lobes.

Fruits: Fruit a rounded, slightly compressed capsule.

Comments:

Height: 4-12 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect perennial of moist and dry woodlands and forests, road banks, thinner soils around rock outcrops and a variety of disturbed sites.

stems: Stems 4-angled and narrowly winged, often furry.

leaves: Leaves opposite (basal rosette barely evident at flowering), oval to lance-shaped, sessile, 1/2-1 1/2 in. long, with 3-7 noticeable veins and hairy at least along the veins.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in small branching clusters at stem top or from upper axils; pale purple to white; to 1/4 in. long; funnel-shaped with 4 spreading, pointed corolla lobes.

fruits: Fruit a rounded, slightly compressed capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern United States



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