Houstonia serpyllifolia

Houstonia serpyllifolia, commonly called thymeleaf bluet,[3] is a species of plant in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It is native to the eastern United States, where it is found in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains.[4] It has been documented in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, western Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and northeastern Georgia. [5][6]

Houstonia serpyllifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
(unranked):
(unranked):
(unranked):
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Houstonia
Species:
H. serpyllifolia
Binomial name
Houstonia serpyllifolia
Michx.
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Anotis serpyllifolia (Michx.) G.Don
  • Hedyotis serpyllifolia (Michx.) Torr. & A.Gray
  • Oldenlandia serpyllifolia (Michx.) A.Gray
  • Houstonia tenella Pursh
  • Anotis tenella (Pursh) G.Don
  • Houstonia serpyllifolia f. alba Alexander
  • Hedyotis michauxii Fosberg
  • Hedyotis michauxii f. alba (Alexander) Fosberg

Houstonia serpyllifolia is a low creeping perennial. It produces solitary, terminal blue flowers in spring and early summer.[7] It typically grows in moist areas, and is found habitats such as streambanks, mesic woods, grassy balds, seepy rock outcrops, and spray cliffs.[4]

The specific epithet "serpyllifolia" alludes to the resemblance between this plant and the culinary herb wild thyme, Thymus serpyllum.[8] Other common names include "creeping bluet", "mountain bluet", and "Appalachian bluet"[9]

References


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.