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Native Plant Database

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Houstonia longifolia (Longleaf summer bluet)
Muller, Thomas L.

Houstonia longifolia Gaertn.

Longleaf summer bluet, Long-leaf summer bluet, Pale bluets, Longleaf Summer Bluet

Rubiaceae (Madder Family)

Synonyms: Hedyotis longifolia, Hedyotis purpurea var. longifolia

USDA Symbol: HOLO

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Clumps of basal leaves, larger than those of H. caerulea, form clumps to 1 ft. high. The dainty, tubular flowers of this perennial are pale, pinkish-white.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: ME to Sask., s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Open, sandy or rocky places; heath balds; deciduous woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, sandy or gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Plant seeds outside as soon as ripe or store, stratify and sow in the spring. Seeds should be sown at a shallow depth. These seedlings will germinate the first year and flower the second. Propagation by division is accomplished by digging the plants in
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Houstonia longifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Houstonia longifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Houstonia longifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff

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