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Rubiaceae
Houstonia

Houstonia pusilla Schöpf. Common name: Tiny Bluet. Phenology: Mar-Apr. Habitat: Woodlands, prairie, glades, barren, lawns, cemeteries, and other disturbed sites. Distribution: MD south to Panhandle FL, west to TX, and inland from IL west to NE, south to TN and TX. The natural habitats and original distribution of this species are obscure.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl5, G, K4, Mo3, NcTx, NY, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WH3, Terrell (1991), Terrell (1996); = Hedyotis crassifolia Raf. — C, GrPl, GW2, Tx; = Houstonia minima L.C.Beck — F, S; = n/a — Tat; < Hedyotis caerulea (L.) Hook. — Rogers (1987); > Houstonia crassifolia Raf. — Il; > Houstonia patens Elliott — F; < Houstonia pusilla Schöpf — S; > Houstonia pusilla Schöpf — Il; Houstonia pusilla Schöpf. Basionym: Houstonia pusilla Schöpf 1788

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: UPL
  • Midwest: FACU
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FACU

Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Slender, erect annual of woodlands, lawns, cemeteries and other disturbed sites.

Stems: Stems thin with ascending branches, some slightly reddish; smooth.

Leaves: Leaves mostly basal in rosettes, about 1/4 in. long, oval to lance-shaped, with minute transparent teeth along margins.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers solitary and terminal or from upper axils; lavender with darker or red center; about 1/4 in. wide; consisting of a short corolla tube and 4 spreading, pointed lobes.

Fruits: Fruit a round, slightly compressed, 2-celled capsule.

Comments:

Height: 1-4 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Slender, erect annual of woodlands, lawns, cemeteries and other disturbed sites.

stems: Stems thin with ascending branches, some slightly reddish; smooth.

leaves: Leaves mostly basal in rosettes, about 1/4 in. long, oval to lance-shaped, with minute transparent teeth along margins.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers solitary and terminal or from upper axils; lavender with darker or red center; about 1/4 in. wide; consisting of a short corolla tube and 4 spreading, pointed lobes.

fruits: Fruit a round, slightly compressed, 2-celled capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:



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