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.
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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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Jim Fowler | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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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