Houstonia serpyllifolia Michaux. Common name: Appalachian Bluet, Thyme-leaf Bluet. Phenology: (Mar-) May-Jul. Habitat: Streambanks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs, and moist disturbed areas. Distribution: A Southern and Central Appalachian endemic: PA south to nw. SC and ne. GA.
ID notes: The flowers are very similar to, but usually a brighter blue than, the more widespread H. caerulea.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = F, G, K4, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W, WV, Terrell (1991), Terrell (1996); = Hedyotis michauxii Fosberg — C, GW2, Rogers (1987). Basionym: Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx. 1803
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Houstonia serpyllifolia, Hambidge Center, Rabun County, Georgia by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Prostrate, mat-forming perennial of stream banks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs and moist disturbed areas.
Stems: Stems very slender, diffusely branched, creeping and rooting at nodes, smooth.
Leaves: Leaves opposite, short petiolate, oval to round, to 1/4 in. long.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers solitary on upright, threadlike stalks; blue with yellow-white center, up to 1/2 in. wide with short corolla tube and 4 spreading, bluntly pointed lobes.
Fruits: Fruit tiny green, flattened and 2-sectioned capsule.
Comments: A southern and central Appalachian endemic.
Height: 4-7 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Prostrate, mat-forming perennial of stream banks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs and moist disturbed areas.
stems: Stems very slender, diffusely branched, creeping and rooting at nodes, smooth.
leaves: Leaves opposite, short petiolate, oval to round, to 1/4 in. long.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers solitary on upright, threadlike stalks; blue with yellow-white center, up to 1/2 in. wide with short corolla tube and 4 spreading, bluntly pointed lobes.
fruits: Fruit tiny green, flattened and 2-sectioned capsule.
comments: A southern and central Appalachian endemic.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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