Houstonia purpurea L.

Locations ofHoustonia purpurea L. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Rubiaceae
Botanical Name
Houstonia purpurea L.
Common Name
Summer Bluets
Synonym(s)
Houstonia purpurea L. var. purpurea
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Houstonia purpurea L.
Comments
Houstonia lanceolata (Poir.) Britt., formerly treated as H. purpurea var. calycosa Gray and native mostly west of the Appalachians, is distinguished by having leaves 3-7 times as long as wide and calyx lobes 4-7 mm (vs. leaves 1-3.2 times as long as wide and calyx lobes 1-3.5 mm in H. purpurea). It should be sought in the southwesternmost counties. Massey (1961) reported H. lanceolata from several counties, but all but Craig Co. are phytogeographically improbable and no supporting specimens have been found. Terrell (1996) cited no specimens of H. lanceolata from Virginia, but did cite one immediately adjacent from Kentucky (Pine Mtn.?).
Habitat
Dry forests and woodlands, thin soils around rock outcrops, clearings, road banks, and other disturbed habitats. Frequent to common in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont; frequent in the sw. Virginia mountains; rare in the nw. Virginia mountains.
Native Status
Native

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